CABLE LAYING MACHINE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 101, 24 January 1927, Page 10

CABLE LAYING MACHINE

WYNDHAM MAN’S INVENTION Dominion Special. Dunedin, January 22. To lay a cable of any size underground, itt an infinitesimal portion of the time which it takes to do the job bv pick and shovel, is the capability of the Kirbv cable-laying machine, the invention of a Wyndham man, J. G. Kirbv; The machine, which Jias been purchased by the Post and lelegraph Department, was used success-, fully yesterday. Nearly half a mile of cable was laid on the road between Mosgiel and Riccarton in several hours of actual working time, and it was perfectly clear that when those in acquainted with it there will be an acceleration of the work. The machine is a simple one, consisting of a chassis (approximate weight one ton), bearing in the centre ' two standards, so arranged as to take the drum axle on which the dum holding the cable revolves. The drum itself weighs over one. ton when full, and can be winched into position on a frame composed of two angle irons, which form a track from the ground at the rear end of the chassis. lhe beam, a heavy rudder-shaped. “sock,’ is the part of the machine which actually does the work. It carries a steel shoe, pointed in front, for the purpose' of tearing through the ground, and at its end is a channel through which the cable from the drum is threaded. Where the cable enters the channel, and, again, where it leaves at the rear end, are rollers over which the cable runs when laying. These prevent any damaue to tile protective covering of the cable. Practically world rights have been secured for the apparatus, the use of which is restricted, of course, to country roads, as it would be impossible to use it in towns where water and gas pipes cross the road.