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View Full Version : Redress of grievances...with an armored bulldozer




Rael
04-04-2009, 12:42 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24n77GgRtrw


Marvin John Heemeyer (October 28, 1951 – June 4, 2004) was an American welder and owner of an automobile muffler repair shop. On June 4, 2004, frustrated over the adverse outcome of a zoning dispute, Heemeyer used a Komatsu D355A bulldozer armored with layers of steel and concrete to demolish the town hall, a former judge's home and other buildings in Granby, Colorado.

The machine used in the incident was a Komatsu D355A bulldozer fitted with makeshift armor plating covering the cabin, engine and parts of the tracks. In places, the vehicle's armor was over one foot thick, consisting of concrete sandwiched between sheets of steel to make ad-hoc composite armor. This made the machine impervious to small arms fire and resistant to explosives; three external explosions and over 200 rounds of firearm ammunition fired at the bulldozer had no effect on it.[1] National Guard units were placed on standby orders by Governor Bill Owens for possible anti-armor support.[8]

For visibility, the bulldozer was fitted with several video cameras linked to two monitors mounted on the vehicle's dashboard. The cameras were protected on the outside by 3-inch shields of bulletresistant plastic.[1] Onboard fans and an air conditioner were used to keep Heemeyer cool while driving and compressed air nozzles were fitted to blow dust away from the video cameras. Food, water and life support were present in the almost airtight cabin. Heemeyer had no intention of ever leaving the cabin once he entered; the hatch was permanently sealed.[1] Authorities speculated Heemeyer may have used a homemade crane found in his garage to lower the armor hull over the dozer and himself. "Once he tipped that lid shut, he knew he wasn't getting out," Daly said. Investigators searched the garage where they believe Heemeyer built the vehicle and found cement, armor and steel.[1]

For armament the bulldozer was fitted with a .50 caliber semi-automatic Barrett M82 rifle pointing out to the rear, a semi-auto variant of the FN FNC in front, a .223 Ruger Mini-14 to the right, a 9mm Kel-Tec P-11 semi-auto pistol and a .357 magnum revolver with which he killed himself.

Afterwards, the modified bulldozer came to be known as Killdozer, although only Heemeyer was killed in the incident.[9]

Lovecraftian4Paul
04-04-2009, 01:58 AM
Epic story and footage! Thanks for posting this.

Rael
04-04-2009, 02:02 AM
What I like about this story, is the guy didn't kill anyone, and he didn't just snap...he went through the system, and and it failed

In 2001, the zoning commission and the town's trustees approved the construction of a cement manufacturing plant. Heemeyer appealed the decisions unsuccessfully. For many years, Heemeyer had used the adjacent property as a way to get to his muffler shop. The plan for the cement plant blocked that access. In addition to the frustration engendered by this dispute over access, Heemeyer was fined $2,500 by the Granby government for various violations, including "junk cars on the property and not being hooked up to the sewer line." Heemeyer sought to cross 8 feet (2.4 m) of the concrete plant's property to hook up with the sewer line.

As a last measure, Heemeyer petitioned the city with his neighbors and friends, but to no avail. He couldn't function without the sewer line and the cooperation of the town.[6

"I was always willing to be reasonable until I had to be unreasonable," Heemeyer wrote. "Sometimes reasonable men must do unreasonable things."[7]

Minarchy4Sale
04-04-2009, 02:07 AM
what a way to go out :)

Objectivist
04-04-2009, 02:55 AM
I think this clip is better than the OP, you be the judge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdVisdX1IL0&feature=related

Then if you're thinking "anti-hero", I think he's more like V.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chqi8m4CEEY

Rael
04-04-2009, 06:20 PM
I think the music really adds to the video though

youngbuck
04-04-2009, 06:36 PM
RIP Marvin John Heemeyer, and nice work on the armor and setup.

tangent4ronpaul
04-04-2009, 06:47 PM
Didn't some farmer do something like this in DC a few years back too?

-t

RCA
04-04-2009, 08:04 PM
lol

"Further attempts to mount the bulldozer were hampered due to oil that Heemeyer had spread on the vehicle to hinder such attempts."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Heemeyer

pcosmar
04-04-2009, 08:10 PM
Just what do you suppose will happen in every redneck garage with a welder all across this country if TPTB push the issue.? ;)
:D
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/155589961_c2087133da.jpg?v=0

:D:D;)

satchelmcqueen
04-04-2009, 08:10 PM
good for this guy. hero

Bodhi
04-04-2009, 09:30 PM
Reminds me of when a guy stole a tank from a National Guard Amory in 1995 in San Diego. Except this guy was no hero, just a drugged out nut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msPrOIAVUZo&feature=related