Completed MOC Hulett Unloader circa 1900

[knotian]

Here goes nothing. I've been leery of posting unfinished projects but ........

Bulk carriers ply the Great Lakes carrying Iron Ore, Coal, Wheat and other bulk cargoes. They are now, for the most part, self unloading. Around 1900 a device was invented to unload these boats called a Hulett Ore Unloader. None are in use now, but there is hope to rebuild one from saved parts in Cleveland.

I first built an operating ( most functions) prototype to see if it worked.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/shstk9lflo52zko/100_0718.JPG?dl=0

It was based on the earliest steam powered ones.

I obtained a copy of the design.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rgjfetnny3xmprv/lq.jpg?dl=0

I was able to enlarge it to about 1:40 Scale and have started on the build. The base is 6 x 2 Base-plates.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a66fqldo0wcthph/100_0717.JPG?dl=0

As I progress I will post updates. I am using Stud.io for drawing and building instructions and will put it all together ---I hopa hopa hopa!

Ed

 

 

 

Edited May 27, 2019 by knotian
Completion

[suffocation]

This is going to be epic! Looking forward to seeing more.

[pagicence]

Yeeess. I was wainting for this. I red some where that you were building this. Anxiously waiting for more.

[Jurss]

Real machine looks horrifying, like some monster. Make ir as dark as possible, like real ones.

[WvG_853]

Looking forward to see your progress on this monster ... Good luck and enjoy!

[Tommy Styrvoky]

This will be an interesting project, after looking into the operation of the unloader, it makes sense now with the unloading procedure for unloading holds in ships. Having seen some of the ships passing through Duluth and into lake Superior, gives a sense of scale of this machine. Rather impressive that it can move 10t of ore per scoop.

[knotian]

The later ones went to 17 tons. The scoop/bucket and it's unique action will be my first major task. Doing two tasks (open close and spread) with only one cable needs a lot of research. The earlier steam powered one had two cylinders in the leg, but the newer ones had only one motor in the walking beam. I've seen one 'sorta' operating but can't contact the builder. There are times the research is more interesting than the building. Google Rules!!

[doug72]

I have seen several models of this machine built using Meccano, try searching on YouTube.

There are also HO scale models on US model train layouts.

Its a very complex machine.

Edited August 1, 2018 by Doug72

[doug72]

Found this on YouTube: an animation of the Hunlet bucket operation, which uses roller chains.

 

 

[knotian]

Doug72,

Thanks. I found another one yesterday that may be from the same animation. I found the artist and am trying to get in contact. Wonder of wonders I also found a cache (8 cu ft) of drawings that had been donated to a university library and I am in the process of trying to get access. It's only a day away and would be worth the trip to look at them and do some note taking, even if I can't get copies.

[pagicence]

With all of this research that you are doing, may I suggest that you up the scale of you model because now form the pictures I can see that there is no movement on the bucket (left and right). I think that it would be very rewarding for the model to do it in bigger scale and replicate all the functions of the real thing properly.

[doug72]

It would make agreat GBC module especially if coupled to the train system !

 

Edited August 2, 2018 by Doug72

[knotian]

Pagicence,

Thanks for the comments.

There will be complete movement right to left, up and down, open and close, bucket rotate and frame moves along tracks as well as Larry car movement and maybe dumping for it. I believe that gets it. The prototype did it all except the Larry car and track movement.

In the original post I mentioned I was doing it at 1:40 and it would be 6 base plates long. I'm not sure any larger would be practical . It also fits with the rest of my blast furnace / steel mill theme. Seems that what minifigs I need look ok at 1:40.

Ed

[Tommy Styrvoky]

I think it would be possible to get the other functions of the bucket, though I suggest using string instead of chain, it appears from the animation that the central chain controls the sliding, and to get the buckets to go outwards, this is due to the position of the bucket hinges. They appear to slide outwards, the middle chain is visible on the lower left of the bucket.  You will probably have to use a system solution for that shape, as the bucket is more square in structure. Maybe if I get time, I will look into potential solutions.

 

Edited August 2, 2018 by Tommy Styrvoky

[Tommy Styrvoky]

Here is a solution, I am not sure if it fits the correct scale, as if it could be made larger, that would be better. It features most of the functions,(spreading, sliding and rotation of the buckets) though it still needs work on the opening/closing of the buckets.

https://www.bricksafe.com/files/Tommy_styrvoky/hullet bucket.lxf

Edited August 2, 2018 by Tommy Styrvoky

[lcvisser]

I also recall that you announced this somewhere... maybe the Scale Modelling forum? I'm definitely going to follow this - after seeing that old footage I'm thoroughly fascinated!

On 8/2/2018 at 4:14 PM, Doug72 said:

It would make agreat GBC module especially if coupled to the train system !

 

These machines is remind me a bit of the Catch and Release by Akiyuki 

[knotian]

 

Tommy - That is one approach. Shows one of the advantages to that over a clam-shell in that it could be placed next to a wall and used to scrape material into the center.

Ludo - You are right. When I first started I thought the lifting mechanism was complex, but it turned out to be a flexible parallelogram.

[knotian]

UPDATE 1

Based on the suggestions I received, I built two alternative Bridge Beams. One using plates and one using panels. I am going to use the nearer one that shows the lighter weight construction of the original to the right where the weight of the carriage is not concentrated. It also makes the beam lighter.

Looking at my research again I found that tipping forward was a consideration with a full bucket at full extension. Therefore on the outside of the beam is another track mounted upside down with a set of wheels connected to the carriage. They would only bear on the rails when the carriage started to tip forward.

More to come later. Thanks for being interested. FYI the stuff in the background is the blast furnace of my project.

Ed

Edited August 10, 2018 by knotian

[pagicence]

The picture doesn't work.

[knotian]

Pagicence

Try this

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2zcomhma6z3ldh2/100_0719.JPG?dl=0

[pagicence]

Nope. Error 404. Link not found.

[doug72]

Unable to see your images.
I use Flickr all the time to post images, upload image to Flickr click the share arrow, select BBcode then select image size and copy file name then paste into your posting.

Edited August 11, 2018 by Doug72

[knotian]

Sorry about that

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t0uzqrd5kdrhmas/100_0719.JPG?dl=0

Ed

[knotian]

When I started this I made a pact with myself (???) to do the drawings in Stud.io as I built. Well finally got the two bridge beams built and drawn. The drawing, step making, etc., takes MUCH longer than the building.

Now back to the drawing board to try and figure out how that blankety blank bucket operates.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/it4q62jqi2cb62a/100_0720.JPG?dl=0

[Johnny1360]

Amazingly huge piece of equipment for such a specialised purpose, should be really cool in Technic. At first I couldn't figure out how the operator could see what he was doing, then I watched a video. Unbelievable they ride with the bucket. Still can't get over how much there is to this thing, thanks for doing this.