Heavy excavator fell from bridge Duluth MN June 18 08

Earlier this morning something happened which caused this heavy machine to fall from the bridge while being hauled from semi truck.

[@Gasteraner]

Yes , you are right; i am sorry ! It was from my first "overview" and it looked like a dumper but indeed it is a scraper. Thank you All the best Gasteraner

[@drail80s]

It did, on its way down it clipped the outside lane wall of the Northbound lane 35 causing a huge gap/peice missing out of the cement clearly visible at .13 seconds. This caused a lane closure that lasted most of the summer until it was repaired.

[@drail80s]

Well, if you really want to be technical about it, it's called a Caterpillar 631c Scraper. It was however called an excavator by the Minnesota State Patrol in the Duluth News Tribune article that came out that day on their website.

[@jgizzy]

I live right up Piedmont about 3 blocks from this and you would not believe just HOW many accidents happen at the 21st ave exit right at the stop lights. As my grandpa told me, this is either one of the only examples of traffic lights on a highway system or thee only one in Minnesota and the engineer who designed this got fired. That's what he tells me anyways....and btw, that scraper is giant!

[@drail80s]

Evidently the semi carrying the machine lost its brakes and slammed into three other vehicles causing the excavator to fall off and also on its way down it clipped the Hwy. 35 bridge on the outside traffic lane causing heavy damage to the bridge. There were however four injured motorists several of which were taken to local hospital.

[@drail80s]

The Hwy 35 bridge is below the bridge where the accident happened.

[@drail80s]

I guess they just had on the local news now that the semi hauling the machine was 30 tons over the limit for this section of highway it was on for the area.

[@drail80s]

Gasteraner, there is no problem I never knew what it was called either, somebody else told me. LOL Thanks!

[@maplemanz]

looks like 631C

[@aluminumpork]

Holy crap, how does that happen!?

[@alexfo7o]

wow! but THAT is not an Excavator that is a Scraper

[@hwoods01]

other than for being upside down it looks fine.. even the ROPS isnt hurt/crushed... weird..

[@Hitachizaxis870]

Its painfully obvious to anyone that works with machinery,that it is an elevating scraper.Definitely not a grader(three axles) or excavator(usually on tracks).Most probably from the Cat stable.

[@JHoyle2123]

Actually guys, thats called a pan.

[@Bilt4Peter]

it is a "grader" not scraper or excavator

[@redbullracingktm]

thats not an excavator. thats a scraper.

[@Gasteraner]

Thats not an excavator, it s a dumper

[@BaarBear]

I would have loved to see how they got this thing back on its "feet" as it were.;-D

[@lunk71]

Pan. ...

[@daewooparts]

L.O.L. how said i hate to see dead CAT'S on the side of the highway! :(

[@erikj66]

If you cant tell the difference between an excavator and a scraper, don't post a vid about it