Draglines

A large dragline system used in the open pit mining industry costs approximately $50-100 million, and weigh in the vicinity of 2000 metric tonnes, draglines are among the world's biggest machines.  The behemoth earthmovers are made in Milwaukee by P&H Mining Equipment Co. and Bucyrus International Inc. They're the only firms that make mining draglines on an international scale.  Draglines remove dirt to expose coal and other minerals underneath.  Some of the biggest machines can lift several hundred tons in a single scoop, and the bucket alone is about the size of a two-car garage.

	P&H 9020
	P&H 9020 The machine house is 100 x 118 ft. with a 350 ft. boom and currently uses a 100 CY bucket.  The P&H 9020 has only been in operation since December of 99 in these photos, and it shows. The 9020 features some of the latest technology to monitor and control its functions. These pictures were taken by Steve Wolken during a tour of the dragline.