clay and salt-glazed pipes rapidly and accurately. The standard model han- dles pipe sizes of 3, 4 and 6 in. while a larger model also cuts 9in. pipes.
The cutter comprises a high-tensile- steel chain with hardened wheels and two steel levers one of which pivots about a short column welded perpen-
Chain pipe cutter
dicular to the other, lower lever. For cutting, the chain is wrapped round the pipe and secured to the ends of the levers; for optimum results, the tool should be raised clear of the ground by a loop at the top of the vertical column.
An upward movement of the upper lever against the lower, tightens the chain round the pipe, setting up stress points and causing a clean break. The complete working cycle should take
no
more than 10 seconds and the cutting chain is estimated to have a life of up to 1,000 operations.
Overall lengths of the levers are 3 ft. 6 in. and 4 ft. 3 in. for the standard and large cutters respectively.
Makers are
Woodhouse-Cornish (Sales) Ltd., The Lane House, Lamas, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
TRACTOR SHOVELS
keting S.A., Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA.
The 55R and 55AWS may have either a 112 h.p. Perkins 6.354 diesel or a 108 h.p. Leyland UE370 diesel engine. Driving through a power train of torque converter, four-speed full reversing transmission and planet- ary axles, operating speeds range from 3.9 m.p.h. to 27.6 m.p.h. Buckets range from 2 to 3 cu. yd. capacity.
Operating load for both machines is 6,000 lb. Turning radius of the 55R is 22ft. 9in. and of the 55AWS is 16ft. 9in. Their operating weights are 17,410 lb and 18,020 lb.
All four models are equipped with a fail safe braking system using a combination of air and hydraulics. If either air or hydraulic line failure occurs, 50 per cent braking is retained. If both air and hydraulic lines fail simultaneously, 25 per cent of braking is retained to bring the machine to a standstill.
DOZER
Powered by a 73.7 h.p. Case Diesel engine, the Model 850 dozer intro duced by J. I. Case Co., Racine, Wisconsin, USA, incorporates a 3-in-1 hydraulically-controlled angling and tilting blade.
With the new dozer, an operator can angle the blade as much as 20 degrees right or left and tilt the blade up to 134 in., while on the move. The dozer can be used as a straight dozer, a hydraulic angle dozer or as a hydraulic tilt dozer. All blade positions are controlled with just two levers from the operator's seat.
The blade measures 115 in. x 391⁄2 in. and has a dig depth below ground of 163⁄4 in. and a lift height of 301⁄2in.
Four new tractor shovels Michi- gan models 55R and 65R with rear The hydraulic positioning of the wheel steering and 55AWS and 65AWS blade to meet changing dozing con- with all wheel steering are now
ditions combined with the 850 crawl- available from Clark International Mar-―er's ability to turn with power on both
tracks greatly increases the capacity of the dozer for ditching, crowning, back- filling, landclearing and other uses.
CRADLE SAFETY
A removable socket control system for a power-operated external main- tenance installation restrains the swing of the cradle used for window cleaning or maintenance. The system is said to be foolproof and if it is not operated properly the cradle will not descend or ascend.
On the face of the building, where the system is used, there are sockets at 50ft. intervals vertically. These lines of sockets extend along the face of the building at centres varying between 6ft. and 12ft. On leaving the roof, the cradle will descend for about 50ft. before micro switches in the system cut out and the cradle stops. The operator must then fit a restraining arm (through the cables holding the cable pass) which maintains the cradle firmly a foot or so from the building's face.
The operator then inserts an elec- tric plug attached to the cradle, to provide energy for a further descent. When the cradle has travelled about 18in., the plug is automatically pulled from its socket since at this stage the cradle is obtaining energy from the main circuit. The cradle descends for a further 50ft. when it stops again, and the process is repeated.
There is a micro-switch lever fitted to the cradle. When the cradle ascends, this lever is tripped by each restraining arm, thus cutting off power and stop- ping the cradle. The operator must remove each arm before the cradle will rise. This prevents any damage that might occur should the cradle foul one of the arms.
Cradle Runways Ltd., Home Gar- dens, Dartford, Kent, UK, are the makers.
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Michigan 55 tractor shovel
Far East BUILDER, November 1969
Case Model 850 dozer
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