Sawmill and bandmill blog

The worlds largest tree crusher

The tree crusher in action
 
  
Built to kill trees

 
THE MACHINE AT WORK

The Le Tourneau G175 Tree Crusher, similar in principle to a steam roller, was fabricated in Louisiana, U.S.A. in 1960.  On November 9, 1964, the machine arrived at Kennedy Siding on six flat cars.  It required four days to unload and assemble.
From November 21, 1964, to December, 1964, an attempt was made to drive the machine across country to the work area, which was approximately four miles away.  Various problems were encountered:  the machine got stuck a number of times; one hill had to be cut before the machine could climb it; the weather took a turn for the worse, and the rollers iced up stopping all further activity.  The machine was left for the winter about two and one-half miles in from the assembly site.
During the first  part of the summer of 1965 the machine was plagued with troubles.  It became stuck a number of times, and mechanical failures were common.  A total of 340 acres were downed from mid-May to the end of July.
During the latter part of the summer, production was increased and the whole operation began to function more smoothly.  From August 1, 1965, to November 17, 1965, the tree crusher downed 2,250 acres.  The crusher operation was shut down for the winter at Cut Thumb Creek on November 17, 1965.
 
Taken from..

posted by Super sawyer @ 10:56 AM