Northwest Shovel

Browsing through my collection of photos from the Dobbins auction I came to the following realization. I have A LOT of video and photo to share. I could probably post a different story like this one for the next week or so. Maybe it’s time for two posts a day?

I came across this Northwest Shovel resting at the far edge of the auction yard. It was not for sale. The engine in this shovel is a Red Seal which apparently is type of Continental gas engine. There were several trucks and tractors onsite that used this exact engine for power. One words provides an accurate description. Massive. I don’t know much about this shovel so I guess more experienced people will have to chime in. The age of this machine is up in the air. It contains no hydraulics for the use of digging. Nothing but cables and pulleys here. Maybe something from the 40s or early 50s?

Click to Enlarge

I know this unit is not steam powered by I can’t help to think of one my favorite books from childhood when I look at this shovel. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.

 

Do you have any info on this shovel? Leave a comment below!

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4 Responses to Northwest Shovel

  1. Jim says:

    Looks like a pretty cool old shovel. Why is the video private?

  2. Matt Folsom says:

    It is a Northwest Model 25-D outfitted with a dual cable crowd dipper front shovel of 3/4 yd, capacity. Most likely built between the mid-1950’s to mid-1960’s . By the mid to late 60’s NW would stop shipping machines equipped in their smaller ranges. the rubber tire front-end loader had usurped this sector of the marker. The faded and rusty sheetmetal colors look like old NYS DOT colors. Most likely it is I know that the NYS DOT bought quite a few Model 25’s, Model 41’s and Model 6’s through those years. These Model 25’s would be placed around the state at DOT terminals for aggregate loading of DOT trucks.
    Check out a book titled “The Story of Northwest Engineering Company” available on Amazon lots of info. on Northwest and their machines.

  3. paul says:

    I was really fascinated by these steam shovels growing up in the 50s and 60s. I have a hobby of collecting operating manuals for various kinds of vehicles. Any idea where I may obtain one for a steam shovel? THanks, Paul.

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