You can’t just send any old truck into a mine. The right vehicle is narrow and maneuverable – preferably articulated – with a low-profile bed and a ton of power. Good traction, a high “heap” (load) capacity, and fast dump time are musts. Cabin comfort is a plus. Fortunately, if you’re looking for such a thing, plenty of makes are available – Wagner, Jarvis Clark, Sandvik, Atlas; but unfortunately, these are expensive bits of kit. A new-ish underground hauler will cost more than $65k. But today, you’re in luck! This vintage Jarvis Clark JDT 426 underground hauler is available here on craigslist for only $10k, and it runs well after an engine rebuild. It’s located in Winnemucca, Nevada (the US hotspot for mining), and Rocco B sent us the tip – thanks, Rocco!
The first transition away from tracks running carts underground was ushered in by the Joy Manufacturing Company, which invented the rubber-tired Shuttle Cart in 1938. The low-profile, battery-powered shuttle soon gave way to proliferating specialization – loaders, haulers, and then of course, your rock crushers and so forth. Today’s example wears a joint compound bucket over its stack – great for keeping rain and critters out. Those black lamps aren’t OEM, but hey, whatever works – it’s dark down there! Powering this particular hauler is a Detroit Diesel 8V92, a legendary engine with scads of grunt – the seller claims output at 450 hp. That’s a good match for its enormous 26-ton capacity. The brakes have been rebuilt top to bottom. The original transmission was Clark’s powershift; the seller notes that the rear end is brand new. The suspension is rudimentary – this vehicle was not built for speed or comfort, its raison d’être is to haul really heavy loads for short distances over and over and over…
The cab isn’t what I’d call luxe, but all the basics are present, and at least the driver enjoys a padded seat. Two sets of gauges and multiple gear sticks meet the prospective driver; I’m going to guess none of us will hop right in and take off with any alacrity. These days, much of the operation of mining equipment is automated, or at least easier to decipher than this arrangement. Load capacity has increased as well, though underground haulers are still limited by close quarters.
Here’s the business end of this hauler; this photo also shows off the enormous tires with 90% tread. The seller notes that the tires are worth his asking price, and I believe him. Most mining equipment is sold out of Canada, where mining is more prevalent. Jarvis Clark is long gone, having been founded in 1965 by Jack Clark in Ontario, then sold numerous times over the years, including to Baker Hughes, an oil service company, and Tampella Oy, a Finnish company. Its final resting spot appears to be Sandvik, which acquired original designs generated by Jarvis Clark via one of its many partnerships. I can’t help but wonder what would happen if I showed up at Estacada’s Timber Park with this baby at the next Cruise-In?
Ate at a place called the Pig BBQ 🐖 in Winnemucca, bought a pair of boots 👢 nearby also 🙌. Enjoyed the article and awesome machine Michelle.
Good choice for BBQ, Stan. And don’t forget all the great Basque restaurants in town like The Martin Hotel, Ormacheas Steakhouse and Bakarras Basque Bistro.
Thanks for the recommendations Nevada, took a screenshot so we can try em next time down. Really enjoyed our time in Nevada, and if I recall the speed limit was pretty high in some parts.. 80 mph ? We were making good time on our way back up to Idaho i remember on one perfect clear evening 🏜 lol.
Wow!! This is cool. When I read Winnemucca , the first thing I thought of was Johhny Cash, I’ve been everywhere man!!! I can only begin to imagine what my spine would feel like after a 12 hour shift running this beast. Great write up and find Michelle and Rocco B. Can’t wait to see the comments for anyone whos ever run one of these. Thanks Michelle!!!
One thing that would have been hilarious is if……… As a joke, Michelle inserted in the title that this was built by Lancia!!!!!
I’d probably be banned from Italy, which would be bad because I might have to go there again for parts!
Wow! What a ton of great and interesting research on one of the most obscure vehicles ever shown here! (dang you, Michelle)
I want to buy a lot of the vehicles we see here, and all of a sudden, this one tops the list. “Well, I was totin’ my pack down a dusty Winnemucca road, and along came a Jarvis Clark JDT 426 Articulated Underground Hauler, with a high and canvas-covered load…”
As you promised, Michelle and did you ever deliver-big time!! Not only that it’s practically in our backyard-well, a few miles/hours drive anyway.
Interesting to see a hauler configured like this with all the open pit mining done around there, and especially interesting is to see it show up on Craigslist! Lots of old heavy equipment still be repurposed or returned to service, more so of that used in mining like the old vibratory roller that Wayne fixed and took home.
Good catch, Rocco B. Definitely one for the BF Unusual List of the Year!
PS Michelle what do you want to bet that nobody will have anything to say about any choice you make for parking at that Cruise-In?
It’s pretty American-centric but everyone is cool with whatever you bring. I saw the best Pinto I’d ever seen there a few years ago. The cars I enjoy the most are the ’50s and ’60s vehicles with low miles that have been in the family forever and are currently fawned over by the 30-year-old grandson or granddaughter. I don’t even care what the make is, these are fabulous.
But it will cost you plenty to pay the escort service to enable you to get to the C&C. Providing you don’t need an “over limit” weight permit. Not to mention the extra cups of coffee for your “crew”!
Much of the mining around there used to be underground, which is this little haulers’ habitat, and I believe there may still be some of those active. Of course, Newmont’s massive gold mine gets most of the attention. Long history of mining around there, mostly silver in the mid-nineteenth century, and then huge gold rush took off thirty-five years ago. There was also a good sized lithium mine being developed recently, partly backed by GM.
Yes that old roller keeps on running with its V4 Ford Industrial/Saab Sonet engine. If I could find a replacement belt driven governor, life would be much easier. (You now have to operate it bent over to reach the throttle AND work the steering at the same time which is not easy when trying to keep from running over the wife’s garden.) Now if I could find that steering leak it wouldn’t cost me 2 gallons of hydraulic fluid every time I use it!. Just trying to find parts, even though it was a popular brand. Is extremely difficult. So you end up modifying and/or making parts. I suspect that is the issue with this “mover” As stated, the asking price is less than the tire bill. And don’t forget that it costs an arm and a leg to transport it to your site. My nephew makes good money moving these things (and other gigantic stuff) all over the country.
Hey Nevadahalfrack, it is not a surprise that you know all the good places to eat in Winnamucca! Haven’t you been broke down there a couple of times? A good place to stop and eat. And some very nice people live there. But other than mining, I don’t know why you would visit there.
Wayne, you’re in luck! I have a belt drive governor! If you’re interested let me know here, and I’ll post some contact info.
I have visited Winnemucca often for decades, sometimes for work, other times just staying over when traveling. It’s the Wild West, and I enjoy it (and the basque food) every time. I think (just like most folks in small western towns) that the residents there hope the rest of the world agrees with you. We like people, we like visitors, but please move along, nothing to see here. We really like our peace and quiet.
Excellent write-up Michelle. Interesting and educational. Though I’m not like Scotty, I don’t think this is going to move into my wish list of vehicles.
Thanks, Bob, always great to hear from you.
Might be of use in Winnemucca, but here in the Appalachians, they simply take the top off the mountains. Very aggressive, the scars can be seen from space.
Jim Randall, I would like to talk about that governor.
[email protected] will get you to me.
THANKS!
Love this vintage piece of equipment! Caterpillar makes ’em, too (to put a plug in for my former employer). Don’t know about equipment this old, but modern stuff has to use ‘explosion-proof’ electrics and engine components. The industry was pushing hard toward total battery-electric drivetrains around the time I retired.
I’d convert this into an M577 APC variant, then go chase down some aliens.
Growing up we spent every weekend in a local trailer park. One of our friends was an underground mechanic at Sifto Salt in Lake Huron. Salt mines, at least that one, are apparently extremely stable, so they literally build wide and tall highways down there. I remember him telling us about getting new trucks – they would arrive in pieces/components, get sent down the shaft (presumably by a hoist of some sort), get unloaded at the bottom and moved to the assembly area, where his team would “build the truck”. Pretty neat!
best
bt
LS Swap it!!!
used to drive a smaller Jarvis Clark powered by a V6 Deutz air cooled diesel We also had Eimco trucks, Wagner front end loaders and Jarvis Clark Jumbos (drill rigs) at a copper and Zinc mine in Blue Hill ME
What next? A WW II Sherman tank? This site, has a lively sense of humor!
After one last extremely expensive auction car, you’ll see another bit of construction equipment reviewed. I’m not going to say exactly what but it won’t be BORING, and that’s a hint.
Give us the HOLE scoop, Michelle! We DIG it! 😆👍🏻
I’ll let you know when my neighbor sells his Ford powered Sherman.
I see that my post with my contact info didn’t make the list.
Michelle, how can we (Mr. Randall and I) get in touch?
Thanks!
Not a Sherman, but..
https://barnfinds.com/two-for-one-1960s-chieftain-main-battle-tanks/
Wow this is an amazing coincidence, My underground articulating hauler just broke down yesterday and I only have 10K to spend! Oh wait…I don’t have a mine, mind, or hauler…I’m supposed to be downsizing.
I have been around heavy construction equipment all my life and career but, never mining equipment. This is quite a piece of iron you found Rocco and a really good write-up Michelle.
I don’t know why but, I feel like I need it. At 10K, it’s almost scrap price.
Yeah, a good piece of mining equipment will do that to you…
Jack was my next door neighbor in Colorado in the 80’s and 90’s. He founded and later sold another underground rubber-tired ‘scoop’ manufacturing plant in Denver. He had been in every active hard rock mine on all continents. True Canadian, he flew his own float plane to mines across Canada to sell his equipment. (Only crashed once).I traveled with him to two active underground gold mines. Everybody knew Jack and had a story. We went down 8000’ in the Homestake mine (with the miners) and looked at his equipment. Later, I did the electronics on a radio controlled, underground scoop. New scoops should be cut apart, taken down to their new home, and put back together underground and would never see daylight again.
I’m sure it is close to or above scrap price. But the transportation cost will bite into that quite a bit. Tough conundrum, what to do with it. It is basically worthless despite the the recent repairs. If the mine has shut down AND no other local mine can use it. Even if it runs perfect. The transportation cost alone precludes stripping it for parts and then recycling it to the closest scrap yard. And the chopping it up into manageable pieces. Negates any return on your investment. It’s exactly the same situation with large ocean going ships when used up. The reason there are Ghost ships just floating around. Although they do make cool target practice for the Navy. But sometimes not good for the fish that can get contaminated or poisoned by “left” chemicals.
Nice write-up Michelle. Okay so now back to Italian cars
didn’t see a steering wheel ?
Michelle, a very good write up of an interesting piece of equipment. I am sure one of the members of the Historic Construction Equipment Assn will snap this up in a heartbeat..
I could use this in my mine.
I’m jumping in here a bit late, but I spent most of my life in and around the mining industry, in underground hardrock to surface coal. I started as a miner operating equipment, then earned an engineering degree which got me working for a manufacturer. It was a fascinating field that helped satiate my obsession with machinery. The end dumps that I drove at a surface mine for a few years as a very young man had a capacity of 200-tons and weighed over a million pounds when loaded. Power was a 2000hp V-16 diesel connected to a huge DC generator that in turn would excite wheel motors turning each set of rear duals. Most of your braking was accomplished dynamically by essentially reversing polarity. You sat in a pressurized cab perched 14-ft high and this monster actually rode like a Caddy, floating over ruts that would almost swallow a pickup. A few years later, the capacities of newer models swelled to 400-tons, though they weren’t a lot bigger in physical size, the tire technology is what limited capacity and had to catch up. Loading of these trucks was achieved with electric driven cable hoist shovels equipped with 28-yd dirt or 40-yd coal buckets.
I am lucky to have many, many stories about mining and equipment.
Nice write up Michelle, this would turn a few heads at the next Cars and Coffee meeting Lol.
I can see it now,
Will it do a burnout?
What kind of fuel mileage does it get?
Where’s the steering wheel?
No air conditioning?
What does one of those tires weigh?
What does one of those tires cost?
No cup holders?
Most common question at C’nC: “how fast does it go?”
I used to work with Joy Mfg. back in the 70’s. I helped design the controller for their shuttle cars and continuous miners. Spent many 24 hours underground working on them. It was an experience I will never forget.