Ruston Bucyrus 19 RB drag shovel

The Ruston Bucyrus 19-RB was designed as a universal machine. The concept was that the basic machine would stay the same but could be varied to suit the task in hand, with different power units and front end equipment.
It was first exhibited at the Public Works Exhibition in the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, in November of 1937. The 19-RB came with a 5/8 cubic yard dipper and could be fitted with either a diesel, petrol or electric power unit. Front end equipment options included, drag shovel, dragline, shovel, skimmer and grabbing crane.
The first 19-RB, sold directly from the 1937 Public Works Exhibition to Melville, Dundas & Whitson of Glasgow, Scotland.
Sales got off to a slow start but due to the outbreak of the Second World war, the 19-RB found itself in great demand from all departments of U.K the ministry of defence . It remained in continuous production for many years with the last 19-RB sold to contractors, Richards & Wallington in December 1967. By then 5410 units had been produced, just short of the production figures for Hymac's iconic 580C hydraulic excavator, which was to debut
only three years after the end of the 19-RB's 30 year production run.
The 19-RB in the video has what's called a double sloping cab roof. Known as a "continental cab", this was deigned to clear railway tunnels when being transported on main lines in Britain or the rest of Europe. This wonderfully restored example resides at the Threlkeld quarry and mining museum in Cumbria, U.K and can be seen working at the open days in May or September.

[@rustybycyclebragg9258]

Absolute pleasure to see young operators developing

[@elmergoble5417]

I operated a RB19 backacter faceshovel and a dragline when I was in the Royal Engineers during the Nuclear Tests held there 1957/1958, seeing these videos bring back memeories for me.

[@cnote4461]

That bucket opening caught me by surprise. Wasn't expecting that one. Thats really interesting. Cool vid - I like those old machines.

[@dirtdigger2110]

The guy running it is nice a smooth. Pleasure to watch him operate, machine is crying “grease me!” every time she swings though

[@bulbchangingmonkey]

Such a leap forward in those days and cool to see operate. Great video thanks.

[@iskandarmegat112]

Awesome

[@oldfarmshow]

Thank you for the video

[@ferdinandocappelletti6740]

Beautiful video and machine. The pulling line , in really use the 2 nd pull, not directly pull.This machine was my storic sn school.Great, in Italy, the " Continental cab " was called : square cab, used on some 22 RB first s / n also )

[@mikejones-go8vz]

Just was inside a non working one at an old quarry, I wanted to see how they operated, I counted 13 levers including pedals!