Meccano Super Models

The Meccano Giant Dragline.

The largest draglines ever constructed in England at that time, have been built by Ruston & Hornsby Ltd., of Lincoln, for work in connection with the Indian irrigation schemes for the reclamation of millions of acres of barren dessert. The work involves the excavation of hundreds of miles of canals and the project as a whole is the largest undertaking of its kind in the world.
In the first place only one dragline was ordered, but this machine gave such satisfaction that the Indian Government shortly afterwards placed an order for a further three excavators of the same type. At a later date six additional draglines were ordered, and it is interesting to note in passing that the last two machines ordered were completed in seven weeks from receipt of the order, a remarkable achievement in a view of their size and complexity.
These wonderful excavators each weigh 250 tons net and upwards of 300 tons when fully equipped and in working order. The bucket has a capacity of 8cu.yards and can excavate 10 tons at one cut, a rate of working that enables the machine to load a train of 60 wagons in an hour.
The jib is 120 ft in length (± 37 meter) and the drag rope from the bucket 1¾" (± 44mm) in diameter. A cutting power of 30 tons is exerted on the bucket teeth.

This is the drawing of the Meccano model the "MECCANO GIANT DRAGLINE".

The photos above and below show the Meccano Giant Dragline as I have built it.

This photo shows a closeup of one of the four bogies of the dragline. They are driven by a chain #94, which allows drive to be provided from one central axle rod.

The compensation beam is necessary for the model, but also for the original draglines, to allow adjustments. Notice the somewhat sloping lower beam which must carry the weight of the entire machine.

The bucket of the Meccano Giant Dragline is in good proportion with regard to the original. I have made a few small modifications, namely three narrow strips #235d for the teeth on the underside of the bucket, and chain from the hobby shop.

To achieve a well functioning model care must be taken when building the pulley block to ensure that the pulleys can rotate freely and smoothly.

This photo shows how the cables are guided by the pulleys mounted on the frame to enable the jib to move smoothly up and down.

A peek through the frame to the gearbox and the winding drums for the cables. The cables for the jib are mounted on two drums, one for the left side, and one for the right. In front of these on the left is the drum for the hoisting cable, and at the same level at the right is the drum for the drag rope of the bucket.

On the left side of the machinery of the Meccano Giant Dragline are mounted the handles for all the movements, namely digging, hoisting and lowering, luffing, slewing and travelling.

On the right side of the Meccano Giant Dragline the driving mechanism is mounted.

I have constructed the roof of the Meccano Giant Dragline differently from the instructions in the leaflet. Not the shape but the parts used are different. Namely, I have use flexible plates instead of the flat plates as indicated in the leaflet.