Vintage Erie Digger Claw Machine - Brief History and Mechanism

Learn about the interesting history and mechanism behind the vintage carnival digger cranes!
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[@alfreddill3251]

Great video! Awesome machine!!

[@thisshouldbeentertaining3386]

Sad to hear that you are moving away. Will miss ya dude. Sonic knuckles bump 🤜🤛

[@KerryGoertzen]

You have no idea how addicted I was to these at the state fair as a kid. I really want one but wow are they pricy!

[@coin-opcorner]

Keep an eye out, I've seen them go for reasonable ($500 or less) prices, especially the Erie models. Now the full size Exhibition style diggers, those never go for less than a grand.

[@thisshouldbeentertaining3386]

Almost made me feel like I'm watching a episode of the discovery channel HOW IT'S MADE....nice work on the video.

[@coin-opcorner]

Ha. Thank you. Nice callback on that joke too.

[@jetcom1121]

Thank you for this cool video. I just bought 2 of these, but will have to figure them out. I am a Pinball Repair guy, this will be my first Digger. One of them Says Skill Crane on the front of it. There was a guy in Zephyrhills,FL. that restored these but haven't found him yet. Are there any parts books or manuals for these that you know of ? Thank you !!! 😁

[@coin-opcorner]

Only guy I know of is James Roller. He has a website with lots of info and I think he reproduces certain parts. Parts books or manuals are nonexistent. Most of these were built or heavily modified by carnies back in the day. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a message on facebook and I can try to help. I just picked up one of the more premium diggers and am restoring it right now myself. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055156784869

[@myang12003]

The claw was a dump truck with a claw?

[@kcarr1021]

Hey love this vid!

[@myang12003]

The first claw machine prizes were candy?

[@strangevisions5162]

no, cigarettes and condoms

[@myang12003]

@@strangevisions5162 You’re just joking, right? 💀

[@WePlayYouWin]

Very different from our Erie Digger but very interesting! Check ours out:kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3y2nHWha5qZnsU

[@coin-opcorner]

Taking a quick look, that one looks like a James Roller restoration of one of the electro-mechanical machines. I'm not sure how the EM ones date compared to the purely mechanical ones.