Safer Procedures for Removing Dragline Wire Rope Terminations

摘要

The Bureau of Mines investigated methods for removing dragline bucket wire rope terminations with the objective of finding efficient methods that are safer than the method most commonly used at U.S. surface mines, which is to use the explosive impact of a projectile fired from a cannon to remove the rope termination. The Bureau investigated currently used methods and improved upon and tested two safer alternate methods for removing wire rope terminations. A cannon test program was conducted, using 40- and 50-gr primer (detonating) cord, to establish the possible force produced with a 4-in-bore cannon and a 55-lb projectile. The two alternate methods investigated were use of the force generated by a pendulum ram and by a portable hydraulic pusher. Both methods are capable of providing sufficient force to effect wedge and socket separations on draglines with up to 78-cubic yards buckets under normal conditions.