ELEVATOR BUCKETS
STORAGE
F
The science behind a show stopper
At the GEAPS Exchange in St Louis last month, the must see attraction was on the Tapco stand. Can an elevator bucket really be strong enough to lift a 9700 pound H1 Hummer? Darren Parris visited Tapco on their stand to witness the demonstration, and then visited Tapco HQ to find out how it was possible
A
ttending Geaps exchange 2015 as I did last month in St Louis was a privilege. Once again, the Grain Elevator and Processing Society converged on the chosen city. This year it was St Louis, home to some of the most iconic sights and world class sports teams in America, such as the Cardinals baseball team, St Louis Rams NFL team, Missouri Botanical gardens and the globally recognised Gateway Arch, the gateway to the west. And last but not least of course, we should not forget Tapco Inc. which is also based in St Louis.
The Hummer
Upon entering the GEAPS exhibition hall, you simply could not miss the Tapco booth, as it dominated the entrance with their 68 | Milling and Grain
large blue H1 Hummer parked up all resplendent and awaiting the challenge to be lifted off the ground: it's complete four tons to be hoisted in the air with a simple plastic Tapco bucket supporting its whole weight. This demonstration has to be seen to be believed. So acting as the third party unbiased adjudicator, I took up my position, on the floor, perpendicular to the under chassis, camera in hand and recorded this momentous feat. The electric crane came to life and as the bucket and frame of the crane took the strain, the Hummer began to move. And with seemingly no effort at all, was lifted clear of the ground. No sooner was this task completed than the critics raised their heads. There were comments of "it's fake� and “there is no engine in the Hummer" and "the safety cord between the crane and fastening to the bucket is taking some of the strain" followed by "the Hummer is empty". So, the gauntlet was thrown down. If I was to lay witness