Early Keystone Driller
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While it would be incredibly arrogant for me
to claim genius for my grandfather, still it was Mr. Danahoo,
the reining expert on vintage construction equipment, who said
that, not me.
So why was it said? Recall that in the 1870's earth was moved
by pick and shove, 2 cubic yards per man per day, just as the
wells were dug by hand. But when you watch a power shovel work,
and see a cubic yard of earth moved in 30 seconds, you can appreciate
the radical change that came by putting steam power behind a shovel.
This accounts for Mr. Danahoo's enthusiasm.
Thus his statement is not out of line when we see that R. M. Downie
designed and produced:
1. The FIRST movable steam powered drill.
2. The FIRST "backhoe" design that pulls the dirt toward
the machine thus helping to balance the machine.
3. The FIRST movable backhoe.
Thus, in little Beaver County two of the most important construction
tools were invented.
