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Post by John on Feb 2, 2005 9:59:13 GMT -5
Though strictly not a machine, it did operate in some pits in the UK. It was tried at Wollaton Colliery in Nottingham, I was told successfully, though it does need softer coal, flat seam, friable coal. I know it was used in South Wales Pits at one time.
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Post by Ragger on Feb 2, 2005 10:45:50 GMT -5
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Post by John on Feb 2, 2005 11:01:49 GMT -5
Mechanically, it was pretty simple Bill, two gearbox/chain haulage units, one in each gate and electrically, two motors, controlled in sequence from two gat end boxes with gate end limit switches to stop the plough going too far into the stable holes.
BUT, on higher seams it required a coal top that would drop easily after each two inch cut, plus the coal had to be soft and "attacked" along the cleat of the coal. We all know the dangers of having a face plane on the cleat!
More suited to German and Continental coal seams.
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Clive
Shotfirer.
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Post by Clive on Feb 10, 2005 13:09:01 GMT -5
Plough used extencivly in Uppermountain faces at Hapton Valley, Burnley. Though I was just apprentice at time the words 'Plough chain broke up M6' seemed quite familiar. The coal was only 28" and face equiped with props and bars. Ran very sucessfull for years.
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Post by John on Feb 12, 2005 9:53:08 GMT -5
Plough used extencivly in Uppermountain faces at Hapton Valley, Burnley. Though I was just apprentice at time the words 'Plough chain broke up M6' seemed quite familiar. The coal was only 28" and face equiped with props and bars. Ran very sucessfull for years. They were "tried" in and around the UK Clive, conditions had to be spot on for them to work, not like a mechanical cutter. Huwood had a slicer loader which was based on the plough, but had reciprocating picks and was hauled by a plough haulage along the face. It went the way of the Plough in UK mines. UK coal was a lot harder than most German coal seams, so we went the shearer or trepanner route. Not even sure if the plough is used anywhere now. I know Australia never used it, not sure if the USA industry ever used it, after all, shearers now have achieved metres per minute haulage speed now, and it's a brisk walk through the face driving one! Not like the hour it took in the 60's to do 150 yards! |
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Clive
Shotfirer.
Posts: 168
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Post by Clive on Feb 27, 2005 16:51:22 GMT -5
Though I never worked on the face at the Valley as i was too young I was on the pick at Grimebridge inthe uppermountain  . The plough , from what I can remeber ploughed in 4" increments striking up every 10 ploughs. When hand getting the uppermountain we never had a great deal of sucess cuting big cobs. There were a few cobs colliers but it was a lot of hassle and anyway it all got crushed on the pit top. I remeber one day hewing a very big cob almost 18" thick and about 2' long. Not bad from a seam 20" thick. Only problem was there was only 3" head room between tub top and the roof to get this cob in the tub. We used to dig a couple of holes in the floor and pull the tubs off the ends of the strips to fill them but still couldnt get this cob in. so I pushed the tub to the top of the wark and put this cob on my tram and took it up to throw it in the tub in the heading. I picked it up and lifted it but before i could get it to the tub it shattered into about 5 pieces. Which is probably why it wa so sucessfull plughing it at the valley. As we hewed it at the Brig it naturaly broke into oblongs about 2-4" thick when you worked it on the cleat. The last plough from the Valley ended up at Chatterly Whitfield museum on the surface display. also in its favour at the valley it had a hellish hard fireclay floor and a decent roof but they were the mainstay of the top bed Clive Got a couple of photos if your interested. |
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Post by dazb on Feb 27, 2005 17:01:21 GMT -5
Sorry to ask this Clive but what is Striking Up? (thick as I am). It would be great to see the photos (and hear about the Aussie Collier as well).
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Clive
Shotfirer.
Posts: 168
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Post by Clive on Apr 1, 2005 16:36:39 GMT -5
Sorry not to answer sooner just noticed it. Striking up was moving up props and bars ie strike the props. Owing to thinness of seam never used chocks just 'guinnes bottles' and w bars.
Dont know how to post photos so let us know.
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Post by John on Apr 1, 2005 16:48:24 GMT -5
The only way to post photos here is to use the URL of a photo on a web site. The site doesn't allow direct "load" up of a photo.
To post a photo, above the window where you type your post is a row of icons, on the bottom row, 4th along is a picture icon, click on it and place your URL of the piccie you want to post between the "img" 's where it says URL, delete that and type in your URL.
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ejb
Trainee
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Post by ejb on Apr 2, 2005 1:27:34 GMT -5
There's some pics of a small mine here :- www.darkplaces.co.uk/phpBB2/album_cat.php?cat_id=84It's a drift mine working a 2ft seam,in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. Part of the mine is a museum which is open during the season. A new face is being opened up via the New Road level,by the owner and his grandson. Well worth a visit and a chat if you're in the area. |
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Post by dazb on Apr 2, 2005 6:58:41 GMT -5
Great photographs EJB, brought back a few memories and a couple of shivers.
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Post by coalfire on Jul 10, 2008 10:23:09 GMT -5
There is a plough still in operation here in West Virginia. It is at Pinnacle Creek Mining or was also know as U.S. Steel # 50 mine. Coal seem on an average runs less than four feet high and all sheild controls are automated.
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Post by Sam from Kent on Jan 2, 2011 12:22:00 GMT -5
When I first started as an apprentice at Tilmanstone in 1967 all our faces were ploughs. I was conned when I was doing my face training. Two men were required to stop on for 2 hours to infuse the coal. Even though I was only face training and only 16 years old they agreed for me to stop on. I had to crawl through the face drilling the coal. I didn't know that the other man stopping on was only putting the hose into the hole I had dug to infuse with water
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. The plough , from what I can remeber ploughed in 4" increments striking up every 10 ploughs.