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The dragline excavator originated in the early 20th century, specifically 1904, to compete with prevailing power shovel technologies.
Answer: True
Explanation: The dragline excavator was invented in 1904, presenting a technological challenge to the established steam shovel and its successors, the power shovel.
John W. Page is credited with the invention of the dragline excavator, initially employing it for the excavation of the Chicago Canal.
Answer: True
Explanation: John W. Page is recognized as the inventor of the dragline excavator, which was initially utilized for the excavation of the Chicago Canal.
The Page Engineering Company pioneered the development of the first walking dragline mechanism during the early 1920s.
Answer: True
Explanation: Page Engineering Company was instrumental in pioneering the first walking dragline mechanism in the early 1920s.
Monighan Machine Company is associated with the development of a dragline bucket design that persists in contemporary usage.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Monighan Machine Company is renowned for its walking mechanism innovations, the development of the first common dragline bucket design is attributed to Page Engineering Company.
The Martinson Tractor, developed by Oscar Martinson, an engineer associated with Monighan, represented the inaugural walking mechanism for a dragline.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Martinson Tractor, engineered by Oscar Martinson, was indeed the first walking mechanism developed for a dragline excavator.
Bucyrus Foundry and Manufacturing Company introduced the 'Class 14' in 1911, marking the debut of the first crawler-mounted dragline.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Class 14' dragline, introduced by Bucyrus Foundry and Manufacturing Company in 1911, was the first crawler-mounted dragline excavator.
In what year was the dragline excavator invented, and what prevailing technology did it initially challenge?
Answer: 1904, challenging the steam shovel and its descendants.
Explanation: The dragline excavator was invented in 1904 and immediately posed a challenge to the established steam shovel and its subsequent iterations, the power shovels.
Who is credited with inventing the dragline excavator, and for what initial project was it employed?
Answer: John W. Page, for digging the Chicago Canal.
Explanation: John W. Page is credited with inventing the dragline excavator, which was initially deployed for the excavation tasks associated with the Chicago Canal.
What significant innovation concerning dragline mobility was introduced by the Page Engineering Company in 1923?
Answer: Its first crude walking dragline using leg mechanisms.
Explanation: In 1923, the Page Engineering Company introduced its initial rudimentary walking dragline, which utilized leg mechanisms for locomotion.
Which company is credited with developing the first walking mechanism for a dragline, designated as the Martinson Tractor?
Answer: Monighan Machine Company
Explanation: The Monighan Machine Company developed the first walking mechanism for a dragline, known as the Martinson Tractor.
What pivotal improvement did Monighan implement in its walking mechanism during 1925?
Answer: Replaced drag chains with a cam wheel for elliptical motion.
Explanation: In 1925, Monighan enhanced its walking mechanism by substituting drag chains with a cam wheel operating within an oval track, thereby achieving more efficient elliptical motion.
What historical significance is attributed to the 'Monighan' name in the context of dragline excavators?
Answer: It signified the widespread popularity and adoption of their walking dragline design.
Explanation: Due to the extensive popularity and widespread deployment of their walking dragline machines, the name 'Monighan' became a generic term used to refer to dragline excavators broadly.
What pioneering role did Bucyrus assume concerning power sources for large mining equipment?
Answer: Pioneered the use of electricity for large stripping shovels and draglines.
Explanation: In 1912, Bucyrus played a pioneering role in adopting electricity as a power source for large stripping shovels and draglines utilized in mining operations.
Bucyrus-Erie acquired a controlling interest in the Monighan Machine Company during the late 1940s, following an earlier acquisition of a minority stake.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bucyrus-Erie initiated its involvement with Monighan by acquiring a minority stake, subsequently securing a controlling interest and formally merging the companies in the late 1940s.
Following the termination of their agreement with Marion, Ransomes & Rapier transitioned to exclusively constructing their proprietary dragline designs.
Answer: True
Explanation: After their licensing agreement with Marion concluded, Ransomes & Rapier proceeded to develop and manufacture their own distinct dragline designs.
The Marion Power Shovel Company's most substantial dragline, the Model 8950, was delivered in the early 1970s and was equipped with a 150-cubic yard bucket.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Marion Power Shovel Company's largest dragline, the 8950, was sold in the early 1970s and featured a 150-cubic yard bucket.
The Big Muskie, after its operational lifespan concluded, was dismantled in 1999 and its components were primarily sold for their recycled metal value.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Big Muskie ceased operations in 1991 and was subsequently dismantled in 1999, with its materials largely sold for scrap metal.
What was the significance of the machine known as the Big Muskie?
Answer: The world's largest walking dragline ever built.
Explanation: The Big Muskie was the largest walking dragline ever constructed, representing a pinnacle of engineering achievement in its class.
What was the disposition of the Big Muskie following the conclusion of its operational service in 1991?
Answer: It was dismantled and sold for scrap metal.
Explanation: Subsequent to its operational period ending in 1991, the Big Muskie was dismantled in 1999, with its materials primarily sold for their value as recycled metal.
Which corporate entity acquired the Marion Power Shovel Company in 1997?
Answer: Bucyrus
Explanation: Bucyrus acquired the Marion Power Shovel Company in 1997.
During a dragline's operational cycle, the dragrope is employed to draw the bucket horizontally, not to lift it after digging; the hoist rope serves the lifting function.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the dragline operational cycle, the dragrope is used for horizontal pulling of the bucket, while the hoist rope is responsible for lifting the bucket assembly.
The 'throwing' technique for dragline buckets, a method involving pendulum-like propulsion, was primarily associated with crane-type draglines to extend reach, rather than being a primary technique for the largest site-erected models.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'throwing' technique was primarily utilized on crane-type draglines to enhance reach, rather than being a standard method for the largest site-erected draglines.
Large mining draglines are predominantly powered by electricity, requiring a direct connection to the high-voltage grid, rather than diesel engines.
Answer: True
Explanation: Large mining draglines are typically powered by electricity drawn directly from the high-voltage grid due to their substantial power demands, rather than relying on diesel engines.
Large draglines predominantly utilize walking mechanisms over caterpillar tracks to manage their immense weight, as tracks would exert excessive ground pressure.
Answer: True
Explanation: Walking mechanisms are preferred for large draglines over caterpillar tracks because tracks cannot adequately support the immense weight without causing excessive ground pressure.
Walking draglines operate at very slow speeds, typically only a few meters per minute, due to the process of repositioning their feet.
Answer: True
Explanation: The locomotion speed of walking draglines is considerably slow, generally limited to a few meters per minute, owing to the sequential repositioning of their walking feet.
Bucket wheel excavators and bucket chain excavators are distinct types of heavy excavation machinery and are not classified as types of dragline excavators.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bucket wheel excavators and bucket chain excavators are separate categories of heavy excavation equipment and are not considered types of dragline excavators.
What is the principal function of a dragline excavator?
Answer: To excavate and move large quantities of material in mining and civil engineering.
Explanation: The primary function of a dragline excavator is the excavation and transportation of substantial volumes of material, particularly in the contexts of surface mining and large-scale civil engineering projects.
Upon what type of machinery are crane-based dragline excavators typically founded?
Answer: Standard lifting cranes.
Explanation: Crane-based dragline excavators are typically based on the chassis and structure of standard lifting cranes, often augmented with additional winch drums.
Which specific component is utilized to draw the dragline bucket horizontally across the excavation surface?
Answer: Dragrope
Explanation: The dragrope is the critical component responsible for pulling the dragline bucket assembly horizontally along the material to be excavated.
What is the predominant power source for large-scale mining draglines?
Answer: Direct connection to the high-voltage electrical grid.
Explanation: Large mining draglines are typically powered by electricity, requiring a direct connection to the high-voltage grid due to their substantial energy consumption.
What are the primary reasons large draglines favor walking mechanisms over caterpillar tracks for locomotion?
Answer: Tracks cannot support the immense weight without excessive ground pressure.
Explanation: Walking mechanisms are preferred for large draglines because caterpillar tracks are incapable of supporting the machines' immense weight without generating excessive ground pressure.
How many ropes are typically integral to a standard dragline bucket system?
Answer: One hoist rope and one dragrope.
Explanation: A standard dragline bucket system typically utilizes one hoist rope and one dragrope for its operation.
Large-scale dragline systems utilized in open-pit mining operations typically incur costs ranging from US$50 million to US$100 million.
Answer: True
Explanation: The capital investment for large dragline systems employed in open-pit mining typically falls within the range of US$50 million to US$100 million.
The anecdote concerning seven draglines at the Peak Downs Mine purportedly causing a blackout is presented as an apocryphal tale, illustrating immense power demands, rather than a confirmed factual event.
Answer: True
Explanation: The narrative regarding seven draglines at the Peak Downs Mine causing a blackout is considered apocryphal, serving as an illustration of the machines' significant power consumption rather than a documented occurrence.
A primary operational limitation of draglines is not their inability to dig below their base, but rather constraints imposed by boom height and length on dumping material, and the inherent efficiency when digging above their base.
Answer: False
Explanation: Draglines are most efficient when excavating material below their base. Their primary limitations relate to the height and length of the boom, which restrict dumping capabilities, and inefficiency when digging above their base.
Draglines are indeed considered inefficient for loading pre-piled material when contrasted with specialized equipment such as rope shovels or wheel loaders.
Answer: True
Explanation: Compared to rope shovels or wheel loaders, draglines are less efficient for the task of loading material that has already been piled.
The exceptionally low cost per unit of waste material removed is a principal factor contributing to the continued utilization of draglines in mining operations, notwithstanding their inherent limitations.
Answer: True
Explanation: The cost-effectiveness of removing waste material at a low per-unit cost is a primary reason for the ongoing use of draglines in mining, despite their operational constraints.
Smaller draglines are rarely employed today for large-scale mining operations, having been largely superseded by more modern machinery, except for niche applications.
Answer: True
Explanation: Smaller draglines, which were more common historically, are now infrequently used for large-scale mining, having been largely replaced by contemporary equipment, except in specialized contexts.
What is the principal application for larger, site-erected dragline excavators?
Answer: Removing overburden in strip-mining operations.
Explanation: Larger, site-erected dragline excavators are predominantly employed for the removal of overburden in strip-mining operations, particularly above coal deposits and in oil sands extraction.
What is a principal operational constraint of dragline excavators stemming from their physical configuration?
Answer: Restriction on dumping material height due to boom length.
Explanation: A key operational limitation for draglines is the restriction on the height and reach for dumping material, dictated by the boom's dimensions.
In which excavation scenario is a dragline most efficient, and for what tasks are they ill-suited?
Answer: When excavating material below the level of its base.
Explanation: Dragline excavators achieve their highest efficiency when excavating material situated below their operational base; they are not well-suited for loading pre-piled material.
Notwithstanding their substantial initial capital investment, what factors render draglines valuable assets in mining operations?
Answer: They have the lowest cost per unit of waste material removed.
Explanation: The exceptionally low cost associated with removing waste material per unit volume makes draglines a valuable and economically viable choice for mining operations, despite their high initial cost.
Which of the following is not enumerated as an alternative heavy excavation machine to draglines within the provided text?
Answer: Rotary excavators
Explanation: The provided text lists bucket wheel excavators, power shovels, and bucket chain excavators as alternatives to draglines, but does not mention rotary excavators in this context.
What is the characteristic range of bucket capacities for large dragline systems employed in open-pit mining?
Answer: 40 to 80 cubic yards
Explanation: Large dragline systems utilized in open-pit mining typically feature bucket capacities ranging from 40 to 80 cubic yards.
What is the typical range for boom lengths observed in mining draglines?
Answer: 148 to 328 feet (45 to 100 meters)
Explanation: The boom lengths of mining draglines commonly fall within the range of 148 to 328 feet (approximately 45 to 100 meters).
The market for large dragline excavators experienced a period of consolidation rather than increased competition and diversification in the late 20th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The late 20th century saw significant consolidation within the large dragline market due to mergers and acquisitions, leading to fewer major suppliers.
As of 2014, the P&H 9020XPC, manufactured by Joy Global, held the distinction of being the largest walking dragline produced, incorporating digital AC drive control.
Answer: True
Explanation: The P&H 9020XPC, produced by Joy Global, was identified as the largest walking dragline manufactured as of 2014, featuring digital AC drive control.
According to the provided information, Caterpillar and P&H (Harnischfeger Corporation) are identified as the sole contemporary manufacturers of large dragline excavators.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material indicates that Caterpillar and P&H (Harnischfeger Corporation) are the only current manufacturers of large dragline excavators.
Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited (HEC), an Indian enterprise, manufactures walking draglines with capacities commensurate with Caterpillar's 8000 series.
Answer: True
Explanation: Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited (HEC) is an Indian company that produces walking draglines, with capacities comparable to Caterpillar's 8000 series.
The fundamental mechanical technology and control functions of draglines have remained largely consistent over nearly a century, with advancements primarily focused on simulation, automation, and electro-hydraulic controls rather than a complete overhaul of core hydraulics.
Answer: True
Explanation: The core mechanical technology of draglines has seen minimal fundamental change over approximately 100 years; advancements have concentrated on areas like simulation, automation, and electro-hydraulic controls.
Research into automation technology for draglines, including systems like cruise control and Digital Terrain Mapping, has been undertaken by CSIRO in Australia since the mid-1990s.
Answer: True
Explanation: CSIRO in Australia has been actively developing automation technologies for draglines, commencing in the mid-1990s, with notable research into cruise control and Digital Terrain Mapping.
UDD (Universal Dig-Dump) technology in draglines deviates from the standard two-rope system by employing four ropes (two hoist, two drag) to achieve enhanced bucket control.
Answer: True
Explanation: UDD (Universal Dig-Dump) technology represents a departure from standard dragline systems by utilizing four ropes (two hoist and two drag) to provide superior bucket control.
Which entity manufactured the P&H 9020XPC, recognized as the largest walking dragline as of 2014?
Answer: Joy Global
Explanation: Joy Global manufactured the P&H 9020XPC, which was designated as the largest walking dragline in production as of 2014.
How did the market landscape for large draglines evolve during the late 20th century?
Answer: The number of major suppliers significantly decreased due to mergers.
Explanation: The late 20th century witnessed a significant consolidation in the large dragline market, characterized by mergers and acquisitions that reduced the number of major global suppliers.
What is the principal rationale for employing simulation software in the training of dragline operators?
Answer: To reduce the risk and cost associated with training on expensive, large machinery.
Explanation: Simulation software is developed for dragline operator training to mitigate the inherent risks and substantial costs associated with training on actual, large-scale, and expensive machinery.
How does UDD (Universal Dig-Dump) technology differentiate itself from conventional dragline systems?
Answer: It employs four ropes (two hoist, two drag) for greater control.
Explanation: UDD (Universal Dig-Dump) technology distinguishes itself from standard dragline systems by utilizing four ropes—two hoist and two drag—to achieve enhanced control over the bucket's operation.
What constitutes the central debate within the mining industry concerning UDD draglines?
Answer: If their higher productivity justifies potential increased costs and mechanical issues.
Explanation: The primary debate surrounding UDD draglines in the mining industry centers on whether their enhanced productivity outweighs the potential for increased costs and mechanical complexities.