Auxiliary Equipment Used in...Rail Haulage Pits

It will be generally agreed that the most important accessory to a rail haul operation is the railroad type locomotive crane. The oldest and still most common type is the steam crane, a self-contained steam power plant, coal fired, complete with boom and hoisting machinery and mechanical drive capable of propelling the unit on its own power at speeds up to 15 mph on the level, and hauling, if necessary, a car for transport of the objects being handled. Usually, for greater mobility and safety, this crane and flatcar are moved around the pit by a switcher locomotive. Crane capacities range from 25 to 40 tons, these loads being handled with the shortest radius of boom and with outrigger. Boom lengths are 55 to 60 ft long, usually with heavy lift main blocks at 40 ft boom lengths. Lifting capacities with booms at maximum radius are approximately 20 % of maximum rating. Free capacities, namely without outriggers, range from 65 (at minimum radius) to 55% (at maximum radius) of the above capacity values.