Wrecking ball
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the album by Emmylou Harris see Wrecking Ball (Emmylou Harris album)
- For the publishing company see Wrecking Ball Press
A wrecking ball is a heavy steel ball, usually hung from a crane, that is used for demolishing large buildings. It was most popular during the 1950s–60s. With the invention of hydraulic excavators and other machinery, the wrecking ball has become less familiar at demolition sites because its working efficiency is smaller compared to that of long reach excavators.
Modern wrecking balls have gotten a slight face-lift, with the metal sphere changed into a pear shape with a portion of the top cut off. This shape allows the ball to be pulled easily back through a roof or concrete slab after it has broken through. Wrecking balls range from about 1,000 lb to around 12,000 lb. The most common are in the 3,000–5,000 lb range.
The ball is made from forged steel, which means the steel is not cast into a mold in a molten state. It is formed under very high pressure while the steel is red hot (soft but not molten) to compress and to strengthen it.
Several wrecking companies claim to have invented the wrecking ball, however most[who?] credit the forerunner to Cleveland Wrecking Company, Minneapolis Wrecking and Lumber, with the invention.
