NEW EXCAVATING PLANT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24868, 7 May 1946, Page 4

NEW EXCAVATING PLANT

OPERATION IN SOUTH ISLAND SOON

One of the two big tower excavators imported by the Public Works Department from the United States will be in operation in the South Island shortly, possibly in the Orari river. This information was given yesterday by the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple). Mr Semple said there had been unfortunate delays in getting the plant into operation. First, it had been intended to use bulk power supply to operate the excavators, and it was necessary to have their electric motors rewound to suit the New Zealand voltage. Then shortage of power made it necessary to use the independent generating plant on the excavators, but this required additional machinery from the United States. Strikes in America had delayed the delivery of this machinery, but it was ready now and might already be on the water. Mr Semple said that in the meantime the plant to be used in the South Island was stored at Lyttelton. It would be used first where there was the greatest need for it. That might be in the Orari river, which caused serious flooding last year. Another possible place to start operations was at Lake Ellesmere.

The excavator has two towers, one mounted on rails and the other on caterpillar tracks, which move along

the banks of a river. Suspended between them is the dragline grab, which can lift 20 tons of material if the towers are close together. It can span a maximum distance of 1000 feet, but at that range its lifting capacity is reduced. With a span of 750 feet it can lift 10 cubic yards-at a time.