Macdonald Excavating operates one of the only 30-RB draglines still operating in New Zealand. With a reach of up to 30 metres, the dragline is the perfect piece of machinery for pile driving, clearing out sludge ponds and creeks or rivers and general crane work.
I left GM after 30 years and started working for a local gravel pit running their dragline. It was a P&H 855 with a cat 13000 and pony starter. Firing that machine up at 6 AM every morning was pure heaven. Filled the whole 80acre pit with smoke. I love the aroma of premium off road diesel first thing in the morning. I ran the heck out of that machine for 4 years. The best job I ever had in my life.
Well I enjoyed watching you play at wheat and wheels , This is real work here what you’re doing , impressive . Good you’re keeping the old girl alive - one of the best around
Nice machine. It looks good, sounds good, and seems to operate very well. Big kudos to the operator. Loading a small truck, with a dragline takes great skill and experience to make it look this easy, like this.
A true Art form to cooperate one. More rare are those old Artist by the day.. when I was a kid I was lucky enough to have a old neighbor who ran one. I could watch him all day. He could drop bucket with in a foot of anyplace every time like a expert fishing cast. Never a tangled cable. He said mess ups are expensive. It's get a cutting torch and a waste of rope also time /$$
I don't know how long this operator has been running, but he's destroying the point sheave and putting undue stress on the boom, besides tearing up the house rollers. Throwing the bucket is not how a drag is run. A good operator keeps the bucket aligned with the boom at all times, and you will never hear the chains rattle.
Very good operator. I agree with all the comments of his skill. I’ll add that he also doesn’t let the spreader bar hit the bucket when the bucket lands
Excellent depth perception. A deft awareness of crane movement and performance while under load. Timing. Careful Operator synchronization of foot and hand movement in controlling the swing, drag, and hoist. Quick reaction to abrupt changes in the crane stability, performance and the surrounding environment. A deficiency in any of these areas can result in catastrophic results. ............Skilled operation results in maximized speed of operation, precision bucket placement, reduced wear and tear on the machine, and reduced mental and physical stress on both the Operator and the truck driver.
I worked for Ruston Bucyrus in the UK 70s,came to Australia operated 22,30,38 ,love the old gear..too old now but love watching good men not bashing the jewelry as we call it ,great vid...
Nice to see a 10 R-B working for its living ! Is that an English machine, or an Australian built one ? I don't think I've ever seen a 10 R-B running with a weed basket before - but it makes sense. Do you run many R-B machines ? I think that I recall a video of a 30 R-B of yours on a dragline operation. Fast accurate operator, who is a credit to you - pay him well - they are getting rare !