What is steam shovel vs excavator?

Steam shovels were heavy machines that used steam power to dig and move large amounts of earth and rock. They were first developed in the late 19th century and were used extensively in large-scale industrial projects such as mining, canal building, and railroad construction. Steam shovels had a bucket or scoop attached to a long arm that could be swung around and lowered into the ground to dig up material.

Excavators, on the other hand, are modern machines that use hydraulic power to dig and move earth and rocks. They usually have a cab mounted on a rotating platform, known as the house, which sits on top of a set of tracks or wheels. Like steam shovels, excavators have a long arm with a bucket at the end that can be maneuvered to dig and lift material.

While both steam shovels and excavators serve the same basic function of digging and moving earth, there are several key differences between the two machines. Steam shovels were very large and heavy, often weighing in at over 100 tons, and required a crew of trained operators to run them. Excavators, on the other hand, are much more compact and maneuverable, and can often be operated by a single person.

Another big difference is the power source. Steam shovels used steam power to move their buckets and arms, while excavators use hydraulic power. This makes excavators much more efficient and versatile machines, as the hydraulic systems can be easily adjusted to control the amount of force and speed of the digging and lifting operations. Also, steam shovels require a source of fuel, usually coal or wood, to produce steam, while excavators run on diesel fuel.

In conclusion, while steam shovels were once the workhorses of large-scale earthmoving operations, excavators have largely replaced them in modern construction and mining projects due to their smaller size, greater versatility, and more modern technology.