Mobile hoppers in use “soon ”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32701, 2 September 1971, Page 15

Mobile hoppers in use “soon ”

Three mobile hoppers, each capable of holding up to 80 tons of superphosphate, would be in use soon to help in the quick unloading of ships at Lyttelton, the chief engineer (Mr J. B. Bushell) reported at the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s meeting yesterday.

The hoppers had been designed by the board’s staff and met the requirement of the Phosphate Commission. Mr Bushell said that the first

had been constructed but that the mechanical loading device for the unloading doors would be better power operated, and this was being done.

To questions from board members, Mr Bushell said that the hoppers would be on rubber tyres, but the wheels would be jacked up and the hoppers would rest on a beam on the wharf when filled. The phosphate ships could continue to be unloaded into the hoppers when trucks were not available. There should be a minimum of spilling as the openings of the hoppers were wider than a truck. Such spilling as might occur would be largely a case of flushing down and sweeping up. The load in the hoppers on the wooden wharves would be limited, but not on Cashin Quay. Mr W. B. Laing said that in his opinion the hoppers would be a great improvement in the discharge of vessels and to the port in gene ral. He could not see why spilling should increase with the hoppers—the reverse would be the case. “We should have had the hoppers many years ago,” said Mr Laing. Mr L. G. Amos: Fifteen years ago, but the commission would not have them.