Loading trucks with a steam shovel was a lengthy, multi-person job

With excavators that can basically dig all by themselves nowadays, it’s easy to forget that, at one time, loading a truck required much more than just a few quick passes.

The video below shows an Erie steam shovel loading trucks in the manner as it might have done 100 years ago. It’s a fascinating process as all of this machine’s moving parts are exposed. The obvious downside to all of this is just how long it takes to load a relatively small truck. Plus, no modern excavator has to accommodate up to a three-man crew just to keep it up and running.

Check out the video of these vintage machines in action below. (Note: If the video isn’t display, here is the direct link.)