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Origins and Industrial Role
General Cable Shovels were part of a broader wave of electrically powered mining equipment that emerged in the early to mid-20th century. While not as widely documented as giants like Bucyrus-Erie or Marion, General Cable contributed to the electrification of surface mining operations, particularly in coal and iron ore regions. Their machines were designed for durability, simplicity, and ease of maintenance—traits valued in remote and rugged environments.
The company behind these machines, General Cable Corporation, was founded in 1927 through the merger of several wire and cable manufacturers. While primarily known for electrical products, its industrial division ventured into heavy equipment during the post-war boom, when demand for mechanized mining surged.
Terminology Notes
General Cable Shovels typically featured:
Field Anecdotes and Historical Context
In Ohio’s Hocking Valley, a General Cable shovel operated until the late 1970s in a strip mine owned by a family-run coal company. The machine was known for its quiet operation compared to diesel shovels and was maintained by a single electrician who had trained on Navy shipboard systems.
In Arizona, remnants of a General Cable shovel were found in a copper pit, its tub and boom sheaves repurposed as structural supports for a maintenance shed. Local historians traced its arrival to the 1950s, when electric shovels were favored for their torque and reduced fuel costs.
Preservation and Documentation Challenges
Unlike Bucyrus or Marion, General Cable did not maintain extensive archives of its shovel models. Many units were sold through regional distributors, and documentation was often lost during company transitions. The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) has attempted to catalog surviving machines, but few complete units remain.
Recommendations for Restoration Enthusiasts
General Cable Shovels represent a lesser-known but important chapter in the evolution of electric mining equipment. Their rugged design and quiet operation made them ideal for mid-century surface mining, and while few survive today, their legacy endures in the stories of operators and the rusting remnants scattered across former mine sites. Preserving their history requires curiosity, collaboration, and a deep respect for the machines that once moved mountains.
General Cable Shovels were part of a broader wave of electrically powered mining equipment that emerged in the early to mid-20th century. While not as widely documented as giants like Bucyrus-Erie or Marion, General Cable contributed to the electrification of surface mining operations, particularly in coal and iron ore regions. Their machines were designed for durability, simplicity, and ease of maintenance—traits valued in remote and rugged environments.
The company behind these machines, General Cable Corporation, was founded in 1927 through the merger of several wire and cable manufacturers. While primarily known for electrical products, its industrial division ventured into heavy equipment during the post-war boom, when demand for mechanized mining surged.
Terminology Notes
- Electric Shovel: A mining excavator powered by electric motors, typically used for overburden removal and ore loading.
- Crowd Mechanism: The system that pushes the dipper forward into the material, often cable-driven in older models.
- Boom Point Sheaves: Pulleys at the end of the boom guiding hoist cables.
- Tub: The rotating base of the shovel, supporting the upper structure.
General Cable Shovels typically featured:
- Cable-Operated Dippers: Using hoist and crowd cables rather than hydraulic cylinders.
- Electric Motors: Mounted in the house, driving swing, hoist, and propel functions.
- Tub-Mounted Rotation: Allowing 360-degree swing for efficient loading.
- Simplified Operator Controls: Often mechanical levers linked to contactor banks.
Field Anecdotes and Historical Context
In Ohio’s Hocking Valley, a General Cable shovel operated until the late 1970s in a strip mine owned by a family-run coal company. The machine was known for its quiet operation compared to diesel shovels and was maintained by a single electrician who had trained on Navy shipboard systems.
In Arizona, remnants of a General Cable shovel were found in a copper pit, its tub and boom sheaves repurposed as structural supports for a maintenance shed. Local historians traced its arrival to the 1950s, when electric shovels were favored for their torque and reduced fuel costs.
Preservation and Documentation Challenges
Unlike Bucyrus or Marion, General Cable did not maintain extensive archives of its shovel models. Many units were sold through regional distributors, and documentation was often lost during company transitions. The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) has attempted to catalog surviving machines, but few complete units remain.
Recommendations for Restoration Enthusiasts
- Search Regional Mining Archives: Local historical societies may hold photos or maintenance logs.
- Inspect Electrical Components Carefully: Many used obsolete contactors and wiring standards.
- Consult HCEA and Vintage Equipment Groups: Forums and Facebook pages often yield leads.
- Document Serial Numbers and Casting Marks: These can help identify manufacturing dates and suppliers.
General Cable Shovels represent a lesser-known but important chapter in the evolution of electric mining equipment. Their rugged design and quiet operation made them ideal for mid-century surface mining, and while few survive today, their legacy endures in the stories of operators and the rusting remnants scattered across former mine sites. Preserving their history requires curiosity, collaboration, and a deep respect for the machines that once moved mountains.
