Hanson Shovel Historical Overview

[MikePhua]

The Hanson shovel holds an important place in the history of American excavation equipment as one of the first full-revolving shovels manufactured in the United States. Developed in the mid-20th century, these machines were revolutionary in improving excavation efficiency and power.
Development and Manufacturing

• Hanson shovels originated from Hanson Clutch and Machinery Company, established in Tiffin, Ohio.
  
• The company pioneered the production of full-revolving shovel models in the 1940s.
  
• These shovels were typically powered by petrol engines and had bucket capacities around 3/8 cubic yards.
  
• The machine weight was approximately 11 tons, suitable for removing overburden efficiently in mining and construction applications.
  
• Serially, a Hanson Model 31 built in 1947 exemplifies the company’s innovative mid-century excavators.
  

Technical Features

• Full-revolving design allowed 360-degree upper structure rotation, enhancing operational flexibility.
  
• The bucket and boom configuration was optimized for earthmoving and mining tasks.
  
• The machines combined rugged mechanical reliability with the advantages of increased reach and motion versatility compared to fixed-arm shovels.
  
• Basic control layouts enabled operators to manage swing, digging, and digging depth effectively for diverse terrain.
  

Applications

• Hansons were widely used for removing overburden in strip mining, where surface layers are cleared to expose coal or minerals beneath.
  
• Their durability made them reliable choices for infrastructure projects requiring excavation in variable soil conditions.
  
• Adjacent mining and energy museums preserve Hanson shovels as engineering landmarks highlighting industrial progress.
  

Terminology

• Full-Revolving Shovel: Excavation machine with an upper part that can rotate 360 degrees independently of the tracked base.
  
• Overburden Removal: Excavation of soil and rock layers covering mineral deposits.
  
• Bucket Capacity: Volume of material the shovel bucket can hold, often measured in cubic yards or meters.
  
• Boom: The arm connecting the bucket to the machine and enabling vertical reach.
  
• Petrol Engine: Internal combustion engine powered by gasoline.
  

Small Story
A preserved 1947 Hanson Model 31 shovel weighing 11 tons is displayed at a mining and energy museum in Ohio. It serves as a testament to early breakthroughs in excavation technology and engineering. Operators recall how this shovel’s 360-degree rotation saved time and effort in open-pit mining operations, epitomizing the transition from rudimentary digging tools to mechanized earthmoving.
Summary List

• Hanson shovels were the first full-revolving shovels produced in the U.S.
  
• Typical machine weight about 11 tons; bucket size 3/8 cubic yard.
  
• Powered by petrol engines in models like Hanson 31 built in 1947.
  
• Used mainly for overburden removal in mining and general excavation.
  
• Full-revolving design enabled continuous 360-degree upper rotation.
  
• Pioneered advances leading to modern excavator designs.
  
• Preserved models highlight industrial and mechanical heritage.
  

The Hanson shovel represents a foundational chapter in the mechanization of excavation, bridging early industrial needs with the evolution of versatile, powerful digging equipment still foundational to resource extraction and construction today.