Clamshell Bucket Build

[Rvjimd]

FB,

all great ideas! For now I'm going to rig it on the Menck crane. My primary mission for the clam is to unload sand from the barges, but i also wanted to have a dedicated dredge operation.

I may need to build another clam, buy and convert another crane, and I am still pondering the idea of some type of custom unloading crane for the unloading area. I'm thinking some form of a trolley style crane that would be cantilever out over the water/barge and trolley back over the stock pile.

Jim

[sparkycuda]

Nice job with the clam bucket! Being made of brass, I wondered if it would have enough weight to bite-in adequately, but looks like it's not a problem at all.

Ken

[Rvjimd]

First let me say, clamshell ops is WAY more prone to trouble than dragline.

Here are two pics with the top bracket on and rigged on the Menck. I loaded it for a crane capacity/balance test, I did NOT scoop that much sand with the crane.





I'm gona have to re rig and skip one pulley, cause my scale and length of closing rope exceeds the available hoist distance and the shackle hit the boom tip before I get the bucket raised to a reasonable height.

Also, need to make a mid boom pulley for the calming line and counterweight.

Jim