Hillhead Memories 1991 (#ThrowbackThursday)

Our good German friend Dirk Bömer has sent over a link to a You Tube video which features some old cine film footage of the Hillhead Quarry Exhibition back in 1991, Dirk has also kindly sent over some of his archive brochures to support some of the machines seen in this classic footage.

We have all most recently enjoyed an epically hot Hillhead Show, which just seems to be getting bigger and bigger each time, however, back in the day, it was the actual kit that seemed to be bigger, as there was more of a focus on the heavyweight mining machinery.

In the video at the bottom of this post, you will discover some awesome machines from the past, and Dirk has highlighted some you will see from his German language brochure scans.

First up is the CASE-Poclain 350B hydraulic excavator, or as they say in German Raupenbagger! Despite the model number suggesting a 35-tonner at first glance, in actual fact this beast was actually a 70-tonne machine.

Next up is the legendary 94-tonne class Liebherr R 984 here in face shovel configuration. This machine was first launched to market in 1986 and was powered by a Cummins diesel engine offering a power output rating of 504 kW (675 HP). Having sold around 1,100 units over it almost 30-year production span, the model was retired from the range in in 2016, with the last machine having been delivered in 2015.

Next up is the iconic Caterpillar 988B wheeled loading shovel. This model was produced from 1978 to the late 1980’s, and was powered by the equally iconic Caterpillar 3408 V8 diesel engine putting out 280kW (375hp). Many of these venerable machines are still working around the globe to this day, I’ve seen quite a few in Cyprus over the years too.

Next up the Terex 3066 articulated hauler or as they say in German, Muldenkipper! A true blast from the past and now with the sad demise of the Rokbak business, well and truly a brand that is consigned to the history books.

The first and original D10 was launched back in 1977 and was something of a revelation with the high drive sprocket design. The Caterpillar D10N upgrade launched in 1987, it was 6% heavier and 13% more powerful than the Cat D9L. It tipped the scales with an operating weight of 122,072lbs with power coming from a Cat 3412 diesel engine producing an increased gross power output of 415kW (557hp).

This was also the period of the collaboration between Fiat and Hitachi, and in the video footage you will see the Fiat-Hitach FH400LCH a 40-tonne class hydraulic excavator powered by a 209kW (285hp) Fiat-Iveco engine.

Another name from the past is German brand Demag who presented the H 65 face shovel at Hillhead 1991. The H 65 had a maxium operating weight of 67-tonnes and was generally powered by either a Caterpillar 3406T or a Volvo TAMD122 diesel engine delivering 257kW (350hp). The kit was highly regarded in the mining sector.  Japanese manufacturer Komatsu acquired the Demag range in 1999 and the former Demag manufacturing facilities in Düsseldorf, Germany—were fully integrated into the Komatsu Germany GmbH mining division, as such another big player was effectively taken out.

Another blast from the past with the Michigan L 270 wheeled loading shovel. If memory serves me right this was the period where Volvo BM, Michigan, and Euclid came together under the VME banner, which was formed around 1985. Created through a partnership with American manufacturer Clark Equipment. Just ten years later, VME became fully owned by Volvo, adopting the name we know today — Volvo Construction Equipment.

The L 270 was in production from 1987-1991 and was powered by a Cummins KT-19-C diesel engine rated at 269kW (360hp), operating weight was 41,309kgs and bucket volume was 5,35m³.

Here we have the Komatsu PC210LC-5 in my humble opinion the Dash-5 Komatsu machines were the finest they have ever built, just a pure pleasure to operate in every aspect. I spent time on PC120LC-5 and later PC130LC-5 and the little PC60LC-5 which was a little beauty. The PC210LC-5 was a 21-tonne class machine and was produced from 1987 to 1994, they were powered by a Perkins engine delivering 92.7kW (126hp), they were a well-loved machine across the industry.

The unique Ruston Bucyrus VC20 was originally a machine produced by Priestman Brothers of Hull, but following the demise of Sanderson who had previously taken over Priestman, the product then became part of the RB line up. A combination of hydraulics and rope control it also featured a variable counterweight on the back which adjusted to suit the weight at the end of the long dipper arm. These machines found favour with regional water boards for undertaking ditch drainage works.

Finally, another machine from the Komatsu stable, this time the WA700-1 wheeled loader. Manufactured between 1991 and 1997 and weighing in at around 65,000kg (65-Tonnes) the WA700-1 was a large heavyweight loading shovel primarily engaged in the quarrying, mining and bulk earthmoving sectors.  

So, enjoy the video, the quality isn’t the best but its of its time.

We thank Dirk for sharing his images and full credit for the video goes out to the original tape holders the Robinson Family and the Old School NI You Tube Channel.