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    1. Earthmoving

    The NECO Stiffleg Excavator

    Jan. 27, 2023
    The Drag Scraper Derrick is especially adapted for conditions requiring this means of handling material, but where the high cost...
    HCEA archives
    The Drag Scraper Derrick is especially adapted for conditions requiring this means of handling material, but where the high cost of a dragline excavating machine is prohibitive. This derrick is made convertible, employing our improved fittings. It may be used for drag bucket work and block hoisting. It may be mounted on skids and rollers, or wheels mounted on wide gauge track to suit the nature of the contract on which it is to be used. When writing for prices and information, give full particulars as to the work to be done and the kind of material to be handled.
    The Drag Scraper Derrick is especially adapted for conditions requiring this means of handling material, but where the high cost of a dragline excavating machine is prohibitive. This derrick is made convertible, employing our improved fittings. It may be used for drag bucket work and block hoisting. It may be mounted on skids and rollers, or wheels mounted on wide gauge track to suit the nature of the contract on which it is to be used. When writing for prices and information, give full particulars as to the work to be done and the kind of material to be handled.

    We never know what’s going to turn up around here. That’s how last’s month article, about a D9 on rubber tires, started.

    Here is something perhaps even stranger: A dragline and shovel version of a stiffleg derrick. Content is taken from content in National Equipment Corporation (NECO) Catalog 20, Judd Griffith Collection, HCEA Archives.  There is no connection between National Equipment Corp. and the National Equipment Co. cited last month.

    The captions are from National’s selling points.

    HCEA archives
    It is a well-known fact that a steam shovel dipper will dig any kind of material that is met with in contracting work. With this type of derrick, it is possible for a contractor to do steam shovel work for less first cost of equipment and at the same time have a greater range. The digging range of the Excavator Derrick is from the base of the mast to the end of the boom, and below the base of the derrick the length of the dipper arm. The length of the dipper arm is easily changed at small expense. The dipper is arranged to dump by hand line or automatically. The load can be discharged into cars, hoppers, wagons, on spoil banks, etc., as desired. Only one man is required to operate this Excavator Derrick with a double-drum hoisting engine and derrick swinger. Another feature of this derrick is that it may be used for general hoisting by disconnecting the dipper. When desired, we furnish convertible dipper fittings so that the Excavator may be used for dipper digging, grab bucket work and general block hoisting. Any of our derricks can be equipped with this excavator dipper. The sizes of dippers we are prepared to furnish are 1/3, ½, 5/8, 7/8 and 1 cubic yard capacity.
    It is a well-known fact that a steam shovel dipper will dig any kind of material that is met with in contracting work. With this type of derrick, it is possible for a contractor to do steam shovel work for less first cost of equipment and at the same time have a greater range. The digging range of the Excavator Derrick is from the base of the mast to the end of the boom, and below the base of the derrick the length of the dipper arm. The length of the dipper arm is easily changed at small expense.
    The dipper is arranged to dump by hand line or automatically. The load can be discharged into cars, hoppers, wagons, on spoil banks, etc., as desired. Only one man is required to operate this Excavator Derrick with a double-drum hoisting engine and derrick swinger. Another feature of this derrick is that it may be used for general hoisting by disconnecting the dipper. When desired, we furnish convertible dipper fittings so that the Excavator may be used for dipper digging, grab bucket work and general block hoisting. Any of our derricks can be equipped with this excavator dipper. The sizes of dippers we are prepared to furnish are 1/3, ½, 5/8, 7/8 and 1 cubic yard capacity.

    The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries. With over 3,600 members in twenty-five countries, our activities include publication of a quarterly educational magazine, Equipment Echoes, from which this article is adapted; operation of National Construction Equipment Museum and archives in Bowling Green, Ohio; and hosting an annual working exhibition of restored construction equipment. Our next International Convention and Old Equipment Exhibition will be September 22-24, 2023, at the National Construction Equipment Museum in Bowling Green, Ohio. The HCEA is raising funds for construction of a new purpose-built building to house its equipment collection, and the Convention will feature groundbreaking for it. Individual annual memberships in the HCEA are $35 within the U.S. and Canada, and $55 elsewhere. We seek to develop relationships in the equipment manufacturing industry, and we offer a college scholarship for engineering and construction management students. Information is available at www.hcea.net, or by calling 419.352.5616 or e-mailing [email protected]. 

    About the Author

    Tom Berry

    Tom Berry is archivist for the Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA). Information is available at www.hcea. net, or by calling 419.352.5616 or e-mailing [email protected].