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The Rise and Fall of American Hoist & Derrick
Founded in 1882 as the Franklin Manufacturing Company, American Hoist & Derrick (later known as American Crane Corporation) became a titan in the lifting industry. By the early 20th century, it had pioneered friction drum hoists, locomotive cranes, and ditchers for railroad maintenance. Its lattice boom crawler cranes—ranging from 50 to 275 tons—were a staple on construction sites and in mining operations across North America.
In 1985, the company was restructured under the name Amdura, and its mobile crane division was spun off into American Crane Corporation. By 1998, Terex acquired the brand, integrating its designs into a broader portfolio. Though the name “American” survives in legacy documentation, the original company’s identity and manufacturing base have disappeared.
Terminology Notes
Lima Locomotive Works, founded in Ohio in 1879, originally built steam locomotives before shifting to cranes and shovels. Its Lima-Hamilton merger in 1947 marked a transition toward diesel-electric technology. Lima’s crawler cranes and shovels were renowned for their durability and power, especially in coal and iron operations.
By the 1970s, Lima’s crane division struggled to compete with hydraulic innovations. The brand faded after mergers and acquisitions, with no surviving production line. Today, Lima cranes are collector’s items, often restored by enthusiasts or used in niche applications like dragline excavation.
Northwest and the Cable Excavator Legacy
Northwest Engineering Company, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was a major player in cable-operated cranes and shovels. Its machines were known for mechanical simplicity and ruggedness, often used in logging, dredging, and foundation work. The Northwest 80-D crawler crane, for example, remained in service for decades due to its reliability.
In the 1990s, Northwest was absorbed into Terex, and its cable-operated designs were phased out. The shift toward hydraulic systems and joystick controls rendered mechanical cranes obsolete in mainstream construction.
Why These Brands Disappeared
Several factors contributed to the decline of these iconic names:
One retired operator recalled using a Lima 34 Paymaster shovel in the 1960s to dig foundations in frozen ground. He described the machine as “a beast that never quit,” even when newer hydraulic models failed in cold weather. Another enthusiast restored a Northwest Model 2 shovel for museum display, noting that its cable system still functioned after 70 years.
The Historical Construction Equipment Association maintains a roster of surviving machines, including American, Lima, and Northwest cranes. These relics serve as reminders of an era when brute strength and mechanical ingenuity defined the lifting industry.
Recommendations for Collectors and Restorers
American, Lima, and Northwest were more than crane brands—they were symbols of industrial might and mechanical mastery. Their disappearance reflects broader shifts in technology, economics, and regulation. Yet their legacy endures in scrapyards, museums, and the memories of those who operated them. In the story of heavy equipment, these names are not forgotten—they’re foundational.
Founded in 1882 as the Franklin Manufacturing Company, American Hoist & Derrick (later known as American Crane Corporation) became a titan in the lifting industry. By the early 20th century, it had pioneered friction drum hoists, locomotive cranes, and ditchers for railroad maintenance. Its lattice boom crawler cranes—ranging from 50 to 275 tons—were a staple on construction sites and in mining operations across North America.
In 1985, the company was restructured under the name Amdura, and its mobile crane division was spun off into American Crane Corporation. By 1998, Terex acquired the brand, integrating its designs into a broader portfolio. Though the name “American” survives in legacy documentation, the original company’s identity and manufacturing base have disappeared.
Terminology Notes
- Lattice Boom Crawler Crane: A crane mounted on tracks with a truss-style boom, offering high lifting capacity and reach.
- Friction Drum: A hoisting mechanism using friction to control cable movement, common in early crane designs.
- Locomotive Crane: A rail-mounted crane used for track maintenance and heavy lifting in rail yards.
Lima Locomotive Works, founded in Ohio in 1879, originally built steam locomotives before shifting to cranes and shovels. Its Lima-Hamilton merger in 1947 marked a transition toward diesel-electric technology. Lima’s crawler cranes and shovels were renowned for their durability and power, especially in coal and iron operations.
By the 1970s, Lima’s crane division struggled to compete with hydraulic innovations. The brand faded after mergers and acquisitions, with no surviving production line. Today, Lima cranes are collector’s items, often restored by enthusiasts or used in niche applications like dragline excavation.
Northwest and the Cable Excavator Legacy
Northwest Engineering Company, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was a major player in cable-operated cranes and shovels. Its machines were known for mechanical simplicity and ruggedness, often used in logging, dredging, and foundation work. The Northwest 80-D crawler crane, for example, remained in service for decades due to its reliability.
In the 1990s, Northwest was absorbed into Terex, and its cable-operated designs were phased out. The shift toward hydraulic systems and joystick controls rendered mechanical cranes obsolete in mainstream construction.
Why These Brands Disappeared
Several factors contributed to the decline of these iconic names:
- Technological Shift: Hydraulic systems replaced friction and cable mechanisms, offering smoother control and reduced operator fatigue.
- Market Consolidation: Global players like Terex, Liebherr, and Manitowoc absorbed smaller brands, streamlining product lines.
- Regulatory Pressure: Emissions standards and safety regulations made older designs non-compliant.
- Labor and Cost: Maintaining mechanical cranes required skilled labor and parts that became scarce.
One retired operator recalled using a Lima 34 Paymaster shovel in the 1960s to dig foundations in frozen ground. He described the machine as “a beast that never quit,” even when newer hydraulic models failed in cold weather. Another enthusiast restored a Northwest Model 2 shovel for museum display, noting that its cable system still functioned after 70 years.
The Historical Construction Equipment Association maintains a roster of surviving machines, including American, Lima, and Northwest cranes. These relics serve as reminders of an era when brute strength and mechanical ingenuity defined the lifting industry.
Recommendations for Collectors and Restorers
- Document serial numbers and production years to trace lineage
- Use museum-grade lubricants and cable replacements for preservation
- Join restoration forums and equipment associations to source parts
- Avoid hydraulic retrofits that compromise historical integrity
- Record oral histories from retired operators to preserve operational knowledge
American, Lima, and Northwest were more than crane brands—they were symbols of industrial might and mechanical mastery. Their disappearance reflects broader shifts in technology, economics, and regulation. Yet their legacy endures in scrapyards, museums, and the memories of those who operated them. In the story of heavy equipment, these names are not forgotten—they’re foundational.
