You probably did not wake up this morning thinking, “wow, I really need a construction crane.” But just in case a crane is on your shopping list, we are featuring a great vintage option: this lattice boom 1972 Bucyrus-Erie 61B Super II crawler, found here on Machinery Trader. Now, the listing price is a bit steep at $150k, but financing is available! And really, it’s a steal when you consider that a comparable crane will cost you at least $500k new. Plus, Bucyrus-Erie is a storied American company with a history stretching back to 1880. Of course, you’ll need plenty of garage space or understanding neighbors, and a few monstrous trailers – because these things are huge. Let’s check it out.
Bucyrus-Erie was renowned for its steam shovels – in fact, it supplied the equipment that dug the Panama Canal. But by the 1930s, steam was supplanted by gasoline and diesel, and the company’s product line had expanded. A ubiquitous and reliable Detroit Diesel powers this crane; the factory would have given it the 568 cu. in. 8V-71N – a two-stroke, eight-cylinder, good for about 205 hp at the output shaft. You’re not going very fast in this beast, but torque will be fantastic. This one is equipped with an electric start. All cranes come with an “emergency stop” to halt all functions if things go haywire – this one in the engine bay is near the hour counter, and the description promises one where it counts, in the cab. As aged as it is, this crane has only 1312 hours. A video demonstrates that it runs well.
The operator’s cab is rustic, but serviceable. It’ll take a minute to figure out how to run this thing, but once you get it going, the load limit is 110 tons – enough to move your house (sans foundation). Usually, though, a crawler crane worked on rough, undeveloped ground. This example is equipped with a 4 1/2 yard BECO bucket at the end of a four-section 110′ boom. Bucyrus-Erie sold this machine configured three ways – as a crane, a clamshell, or a dragline. Handy!
The 61B came standard with 42″ treads, but could be configured for 48″. Either way, moving a crawler crane is a chore. This one is located in Wilmington, Delaware, and it’s going to take more than a few of your best friends to get it home. Forget driving it over a public road; you’ll have to dismantle it to transport it in pieces, then reassemble it. I’m not sure what I would use this for, but if I had it around, I could probably find something to do with it. At the very least, it’s a handsome bit of history.
This is great Michelle!!! I’m kind of wondering if someone will jump at the opportunity to buy it. You never know. I can just hear that Detroit running while this crane is doing it job. It’ll be interesting to see what happens. And to whoever buys this thing, you’re going to need a bigger trailer to get it home!!! 😆 🤣 😂 Thanks Michelle I always enjoy the construction equipment!!!
:),,,now we’re talkin’,,,Buck-Erie, you say? I, and anyone else from Beer City can be proud to say, Bucyrus-Erie was, and still is made in S.Milwaukee, since 1893. Recently bought out by Caterpillar. As mentioned, they are usually transported in pieces. This is a classic “drag line”, and Detroits were very common, just not 8V-71s. Detroits made excellent motors for these, just don’t forget to add oil. The farm I worked on ( not the up north farm) had a shovel like this, not a drag line, but hydraulic boom and bucket. Also as mentioned, controls are intimidating at 1st, but in a classic “trial and error” method, usually everything is clearly marked, and horribly repetitive, in half an hour, you’re an expert. That rear chunk of metal with the name, is a counterweight and weighs 10,000 pounds ALONE! This thing weighs about 125 tons, so you’re dually Whatsis won’t do it, however, I remember many of these being hauled by ordinary trucks with small motors, built weren’t going far.
Now, just the 4am facts, it’s an incredibly boring job. And without ear plugs, you’ll be deaf in no time. Something about a Detroit running full throttle all day that gets to a person, been there. Great find, and unless you have a subdivision planned, not sure what to do with it.
Just for the record, the 8v-71N( naturally aspirated, no turbo) was rated at 318 HP, Lord knows I sat next to or on top of one enough to know. Regardless, they still turn diesel fuel into noise.
BTW, who here remembers “Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Mary Anne? My mom read that to me about 4 jillion times.
“Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Mary Anne? You got me Howard, I have never heard of that one.
( hand up, squirming in my seat) I do! I remember Mike Mulligan!
It’s fun Michelle to see other equipment featured occasionally. I know nothing about cranes, however….
Bucyrus-Erie: when I hear that, my mind instantly goes to cable tool drilling rigs. Model 36-L was the workhorse rig drilling shallow oil wells in Ohio, in the 1950’s-1970’s. Thousands of these wells. This was before modern rotary rigs became popular beginning in the 70’s.
Visiting the drilling rig was super-exciting for me the kid, watching it work and dreaming of whether the well would be successful.
You might be more familiar with the smaller truck-mounted Bucyrus-Erie rigs used to drill water wells.
Even that maroon/yellow paint scheme brings back memories.
OK, back to the crane….
This would be great for feeding steers on the back side of the creek when the water is up!
Oh, the “emergency stop” is a Detroit exclusive, it’s a flap on the blower inlet, and if it really is an emergency, it might slow it down, but probably won’t stop it!
I bet just about every boy that saw one of these was in awe. I sure would’ve been :)
I could spend 150k on something much more efficient than this old dinosaur. I spent years getting my trucks unloaded by these with electromagnets, many a headboard was bashed when the operators foot slipped off the brake. Pretty much, these are gone with the wagon wheel. In the day, as. Howard states, they did a ton of work, maybe a museum could find a home for it.