Application of Electric Motors to Gold Dredges

Electric power has been applied almost universally to the operation of gold dredges of late, owing to its convenience and to the fact that hydroelectric power is available at very reasonable rates throughout the western states where gold dredging is carried on. There are a number of different motor applications on the elevator type of gold dredge, which is the type most generally used, and the author considers very fully the requirements of the various drives and the characteristics of the motors suited to the various operations of these dredges. Alternating-current motors are generally used for these purposes and the type of control, which is of special importance, is considered. The paper also gives some figures on the cost of operation of dredges of different capacities.