Big Dredge Boat Boring Job

[Greg Y]

Ours is made by climax. We had the runner clearanced with one. For perspective, those are men on top and this drops into the finished bore. We have the luxury of a warm dry place to work and endless crane support. I miss some of the field fabrication of the setup.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I am assuming that is a large Francis Turbine Impeller.

 

[Greg Y]

I am assuming that is a large Francis Turbine Impeller.

Yessir. The biggest in the US.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Us old Hot Rodders just love raw horse power.
To think these large Hydro Turbines can top 1 million, and sit there and run day in and day out for what seems like forever is awe inspiring.

My wife and I went to Vegas just a month go, when that cold front came through. We did the tour of Hoover Dam, it never ceases to amaze me.
We wa liked the length of the bridge, amazing view.

 

[Ksracer]

Now days You can count the number of people who want to do this kind of work on one hand,….with two fingers cut off.

I'm currently a Network Cable-splicer. (The easiest way to describe it would be underground lineman work) My department was looking to add a few guys to train and we only got 5 applicants for a paid 4yr apprenticeship that would result in a $125+k a year position with excellent benefits. There was no experience required, just a willingness to learn and do a dangerous job in nasty conditions.

 

[Greg Y]

I'm currently a Network Cable-splicer. (The easiest way to describe it would be underground lineman work) My department was looking to add a few guys to train and we only got 5 applicants for a paid 4yr apprenticeship that would result in a $125+k a year position with excellent benefits. There was no experience required, just a willingness to learn and do a dangerous job in nasty conditions.

When I apprenticed.....I had to fight for the opportunity and be good enough the entire way.

I'd personally wash 75% of our apprentices too. Unreal what the labor market has become.

 

[Greg Y]

We're making 1.2ish million hp per unit at 88rpm. I wish I could let everyone experience what that feels like when we put the wood to it.....it shakes the largest concrete structure around. Were currently filling Banks lake which is several hundred feet above the main river and fed by some 65k hp pumps. Mega impressive to watch.

 

[jackieschmidt]

We pressed in the bearings yesterday, this turned out to be a good job.

here are a few pics of machining one of the bearings and the bearings installed

 

[mikecockcroft]

Jackie, What year did your family start at your current location?

 

[jackieschmidt]

Jackie, What year did your family start at your current location?

1964

 

[majohnson]

Nice work Jackie!! I can appreciate all the effort and knowledge it takes to pull of a job of that scale.

Mark

 

[butchlambert]

Is dakor checking it out?

 

[jackieschmidt]

My crew and I are in Port Arthur this week align boring the shaft line for a new 4500 horsepower triple screw push boat at Vessel Repair.

The holes are a nominal 12 1/2 inch bored for Thordon Rivertough Bearings to be fit. The shaft journals are 10 inches.

 

[AlNyhus]

Jackie, what's the life expectancy of those bearings?

 

[jackieschmidt]

Jackie, what's the life expectancy of those bearings?

Al, it depends on the conditions the vessel operates in.

Vessels that run in clean river water or clean offshore blue water can expect 5+ years of service from Rivertough Bearings.

Vessels that run the Intracoastal Waterway System, where the water is usually shallow and brackish, around 3 years can be expected if the boat sees continuous service.

 

[liljoe]

You sure didn't need to bring your umbrella along for shade.
That is a BIG boat.
You have some very interesting work Jackie.
Joe

 

[Greg Y]

Jackie,

We just set up our bigger boring machine. We'll be cutting a 102" dia surface....thought you might enjoy.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I’m trying to put my finger on exactly what I am looking at.

 

[wwbrown]

I’m trying to put my finger on exactly what I am looking at.

I have put all ten fingers on and I have no idea but it looks interesting.

 

[jelenko]

I assumed it was for boring tunnels.