Classic Big Hopto Machines Get Fired Up!

Not one, but two Hopto 1900 hydraulic excavators were donated to the Heavy Construction Heritage Society (HCHS) in Western Canada, and have recently been fired up, and our contact and friend there Alex Burnett has shared some awesome images with us here on the Digger Man Blog.

The Warner & Swasey Hopto H-1900 was first launched in 1972, tipping the scales at 94-tonnes, this twin Detroit Diesel powered machine was a bit of a beast and came as standard with a 3^m (4 cubic yard) bucket, in its day it was the largest hydraulic excavator manufactured in America, and it continued in the range until 1990.

These two machines were donated to the HCHS by Henuset Pipelines, and are legendary machines in the local pipeline laying community. One of these machines had been converted into a high walker at some point in its life for excavation work through water flooded jobs or in rivers, while the other example is more conventional.

Both these machines look a bit odd at the moment, as they have had their bodywork panels removed to enable easy access for the repair work that’s been ongoing.

A team of volunteers helped during a recent weekend to get the big machines running, neither of these beasts had moved for at least 10 years, and Alex said it was probably well over 20 years since they had taken a scoop out of the earth!

Two young mechanical engineers (Brayden and Antonio) undertook a lot of the work, accompanied by Brayden’s service truck from JT Equipment. While fuel & lubricants were donated by the boys at Thompson Construction Group. Supervision was provided by Mr Ross Tory who was a long-term former supervisor of Henuset Pipeline.

The highlight of the day was seeing and hearing the H-1900’s twin Detroit 8V-71 spring back into life after sitting idle for the last decade!  

Back in the day these Hopto excavators worked up on the Trans Alaska Pipeline project, which started in the early 1970’s. It is one of the largest pipeline systems in the world covering some 800 miles using 48” diameter pipes.

Alex said, “It was a pleasure to listen to Mr Ross Tory’s stories about the old days on the pipeline work, and hearing about the many challenges they faced with the equipment on the Alaska job”.

Photo: Pipeline legend Mr Ross Tory looking super satisfied that the big old Hopto is running again.

The big Hopto H-1900’s now join the RayGo Giant motor grader, that we reported on previously as running pieces of history at the Heavy Construction Heritage Society.

Checkout the video below provided by Alex, as the H-1900 pulls its first bucket full in over 20 years!