Notes on mine hoisting

ELECTRICALLY driven mine hoists have at last come into their own. For many years manufacturers labored with prospective buyers with little results. Long and laborious calculations were made, ratings determined with great accuracy, detailed specifications drawn and presented to the customer. He usually purchased a steam hoist. The good judgment of such a decision could hardly be questioned. The steam hoists had given good and dependable service for many years. The electric hoist was a new and untried device. Power lines were not as reliable as they are today. The mine shaft is the neck of the bottle and once this becomes plugged from any cause whatsoever, the output stops and the usual trouble ensues. Operators felt they had trouble enough with most shafts and would not consider a propositon, which to them seemed to have great possibilities for trouble, the remedying of which was beyond their control.