"D4Jim" wrote:

It is a real art to operate a drag line. The hand foot coordination is way beyond what this klutz would be capable of.

The electric coal draglines in North Dakota have no foot pedals at all. Just two joysticks, one on each seat arm. Guess they don't want any dropping or free falling of bucket with them babies. Could you imagine a rats nest on the drum of that sized cable.

Hi, Folks.
I haven't operated either a diesel/electric or an electric dragline but I did operate a diesel/electric face shovel for a brief period MANY moons ago. It didn't have any foot pedals for brakes 'cos it didn't need them. The electric motors WERE the brakes. It did have 2 counter-acting pedals on the floor which controlled the slew function.

The hoist control was a short lever under the right hand with a thumb lever on it which tripped the bucket opening. The crowd control was a similar short lever under the left hand, also with a thumb lever which controlled the horn.

Then there was a panel on the cab wall to the operator's right side with 2 rows of electrical switches which controlled various functions including travel (tramming) and 'sprag' for steering when tramming.

Just my 0.02.

last year we sent the small drainage line down to Florida to dig sand for the rest of its life it was small as it was on track and only had a 25-yard bucket. they could not keep the water out of the cut if they wanted too I think as the water table in Florida is way to hi. we still have 4 running up hear for the time being from about 75 yards to 125 yards.

the largest dragline i owned was a 1 yard. LS78 linkbelt and a Koehring 304 i still have.