Hanson Shovel update

[Simbalion]

Saturday evening my dad, a friend, and I went back down to the Hanson shovel to look things over. Dad commenced smashing down weeds with an iron bar and that proved very effective on the multiflora rose and brambles. This little shovel has been much abused in its life. The boom has patches and it appears that the house frame was broken near the counterweight at least once in its life. The repair there looks more professional than the patches on the boom. At least one of the track pads is split and all the pins disintigrate when you touch them. It looks like the only way to move the shovel is like how they moved the steam shovel on Mega Movers, in three sections. Then restoration will entail a complete tear down. Am I nuts or is this a labor of love? :wink:

[DanMartin]

I admire your persistance in trying to save this old shovel, I'm sure you have saved several more pieces of equipment before this one. Much of this old equipment is disappearing at a fast rate over the last decade or so. Many people would not take the time to save them much less restore them to good operating condition because of the amount of work involved, except for the people who love these old machines. I sure many people reading this have restored many such machines and when the general public sees these old machines come to life they are fascinated with them and how they work. So the answer to you question is that it is a LABOR OF LOVE there is no other way to put it. When I moved the Bucyrus 50-B on Mega Movers it took me four years just cleaning up the site to gain access to the shovel, I had to haul out over one million pounds of scrap steel and lots of other stuff before I could even begin to save the shovel. Most people though I was nuts but it was worth every bit of my time, people have come from all over the world to see it, take pictures of it, and watch it run. I have had as many as 1,000 people watch it run in one weekend. I have ran it just about every weekend at the museum since early spring, sold hundreds of DVD's and the T shirts. So most of these projects are worth it, I would love to see pictures of your project and anything else that your doing.

Dan Martin
Mega Movers[/img]

[Simbalion]

I am embarrased to say that this is my first big project. I have been into antique tractors and engines for years and dad and I have looked at several shovels over the years. I have a couple machines near me that could be had for a bit more than this one and they are in alot better condition. What do I go for though? The unwanted, sunk in the mud for 40 years Hanson shovel. ;) Pictures are in the gallery under Simbalion's Stuff. :D

[DanMartin]

I would try to save them all, starting with the ones in the worst condition and oldest ( rarity has a great influence on the choices as well ). Reason being that you can stop the deterioration of the machine and even if you do not wish to restore it you can get it into the hands of someone that will.

Dan Martin

[Simbalion]

If I had the money, I would have a good collection and the Harrison Reclaimation park would be begging my friend and I to quit hauling stuff in. ;) My dad is looking at this shovel as a real challenge and so am I. We just have to somehow jump a creek, a swampy bottom, and a bank to get up to the road. Other than that, the weeds were the only things blocking it. I am glad to have your input. Watching you move that 50B just egged me on to save this machine. :)