Mine Hoists & Aerial Tramways

With the invention of the wire rope hoisting equipment soon followed.  The hoist is one of the major vital pieces of equipment in the mine.  For hard rock mines the 6,000 ft depths could not be reached. For coal mines supplies would not be able to get to the miners. Hoists are very efficient for the task performed. 

Before steam hoist horses were used to operate hoists.  A hoist would be fastened to the ground and the horses would be lead around in a circle to wind or unwind the drum as needed. 

 The invention of the steam engine lead to the devolpment of the steam driven hoists.  This was a major step forward for hoisting applications, depths & weight to be moved by the hoist. 

The final development was the electric hoist which is still used today in mining operations throughout the world.

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