Dragline in use - Leinster area?

Silvera

Does anybody here have - or know of - a dragline in use in the Leinster area?

My father spent many years operating plant machinery, including draglines (Ruston Bucyrus 19RB's, 22RB's etc). He retired some years ago and recently celebrated a milestone birthday. He has often reminisced about his years operating draglines, and about how he would like to 'have a go' in one again.
I would like to organise for him to operate a dragline as a birthday present, just for an hour or so. Any ideas guys??

kay 9

It's a possibility a local quarry may have one. Having a ticket is another story. Ain't seen one in operation in some time.

101sean

I read Classic Plant and Machinery and Earthmover magazines and don't recall them doing anything on Irish draglines. There's plenty working and preserved in the UK and Europe.

Got any excuses for for a UK holiday? He'd have a ball at a Vintage Excavator Trust working weekend at Threlkeld in the Lake District. There's also a few working weekends at various collections in the UK.

Red Sheds

I think there is one at Sligo Harbour, it looks like a drag line anyway, it has the bucket that splits open in the middle, like a big jaws if you know what I mean. I am not sure if its used any more, was used for loading scrap metal to boats at one stage I think, but I think it might not be used any more. I am not sure if its exactly what you are looking for though, perhaps give Sligo Harbour Office or Erin Recyclers a ring for more info. I tried looking for a picture of it on internet, but cant find any.

Best of luck

101sean

That would be a grab, used to be common in harbours, replaced mostly by hydraulic materials handlers these days.

RB No4 Dragline in action at a UK working weekend about 10 years ago



They still have their uses, new Sennebogen at work.



And they can get very large - walking dragline

68deville

Cemex sandpit in Kildavin in Carlow had a working dragline until the pit
Closed circa 2009

Silvera

Thanks for the replies guys.

Hoepfully I can find somebody with a dragline on private land which could be operated by my father for an hour or so..