Classic Bucyrus Erie hydraulic excavator rusting in peace

by Nick Drew | Thu 25 Feb 2016

Classic Bucyrus Erie hydraulic excavator rusting in peace

I recently came across some interesting photos of this Bucyrus Erie 40 H excavator posted by a fellow machinery enthusiast Anthony Lucibello on the American Facebook page for the Historical Construction Equipment Association (H.C.E.A.) Anthony has kindly given permission to reproduce these photos here on the Digger Man Blog.

American excavator manufacturers were slow to realise the potential of hydraulic excavators in the early days and largely still focused on cable operated machines. However in the mid to late 1960’s Bucyrus Erie did launch a new range of machines designated the H Series, starting off with the 3/4 - yard 20 H. This Cummins or GM powered machine which weighed in at around 19 tonnes was in all fairness fairly modern looking for its time and was a sign of bigger machines to come. Like this 40 H model which first broke cover in 1970. 12745862_1540757562890645_349773725547652763_n

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This particular 40 H model is lying in a breakers yard in New Jersey, USA, where it is looking a bit sorry for itself having had its dipper arm removed in the past. But in its day this machine which at 60 tonnes and capable of carrying a 3 cubic yard bucket, was the largest hydraulic excavator ever produced by Bucyrus Erie. 12744527_1540757586223976_5030419735447514089_n

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The machine was powered by a Cummins diesel engine and featured air over hydraulic excavator controls. This model also featured independent drive to each crawler which was a vast improvement over earlier models. 12717251_1540757619557306_7362134401515469864_n

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Take a look inside that cab, how many of us could put up with a shift in that, no air-con, radio or Bluetooth connectivity for your phone in there, and no servo control levers either. I’m sure after a 10 hour shift in that you would know you had done it, but having said that in those days they would not have known any different! 12662678_1540757669557301_5239441793277790333_n

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There is always something eerie about seeing old kit decaying out in all weathers, but I know I and many of our readers enjoy looking at these rusting relics from a bygone earthmoving era, so I am only too pleased to carry on posting them in the coming years. The Digger Man Blog thanks Anthony Lucibello for allowing us to share his photos.

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