Super J Cable Tool Spudder

Early in the 20th century, oil became a significant part of ranching throughout many areas in the West. Early rigs were called a “spudder.” The spudder was a large, cumbersome mass of cables and bits, however, it was invaluable to a drilling operation. Donated to the NRHC to help tell the story of how oil impacted the ranching industry, this Fort Worth Jumbo J was made in 1935. It could drill to depths of 5,000 feet. These portable cable-tool drilling rigs replaced the older standard-fixed rigs.

The steel masts on this spudder were cut down from their original 70-foot height to the 35-foot height displayed at the NRHC. A precisely engineered machine, modern versions of this rig are still being used in Third World countries today. The spudder was donated by Kimble Guthrie of Big Spring, Texas, and was dedicated on May 20, 2006.