The steam shovel will do the work of 60 to 120 men, saving from 5 to 25 cts. per cu. yd. of material excavated and loaded. The gain is proportionally much greater in the harder, and particularly in the more tenacious materials. The machine is not adapted to small jobs, and is seldom worked in cuts of less than 8 ft. in depth; nor is it cheaper than hand and team labor on such small jobs, but on nearly all large work it is much cheaper and faster; and last, though not least, its use largely reduces the number of laborers required, and hence the probability of strikes and other labor troubles.
APPENDIX.
ACTUAL COST OF STEAM SHOVEL WORK.
(From an article in Engineering News, June 9, 1888, we take the following particulars of reports on the actual cost of steam shovel work, and these reports show how variable is the cost of excavating, depending, as it does, upon delay, unavoidable on every line of railway, upon the weather, character of the material, length of haul, and many other conditions. When conditions are favorable as to material, prompt and short hauling, with no delays, the results show a very large increase in the output, and often a decrease in cost.—Ed. Eng. News.)
From a report of the General Roadmaster of the New York Central & Hudson River R. R. of work done by two shovels on the Eastern and Western divisions, we find the largest day's work for one shovel at Yost's pit was 174 cars, the average for the month of August being 121 cars per day and for July 116 cars per day. It could have made a larger average than this with twenty more cars, as the trains making long runs could not keep cars in the pit. The largest day's work at Bergen pit with one machine was 156 carloads, the June average being 117 cars and the July 116 cars per day, and for two weeks in August 134 cars per day. At this pit they came in contact with cement, hard pan, and very coarse material. At Yost's pit they have loaded 10,511 cars in four months up to Aug. 1. Figuring these at 9 yds. per car, which is low, makes 94,599 yds. The cost of delivering on roadbed was $5,261.25, or about 5½ cts. per yd. The average cost for handling by men loading and unloading is 14 cts. per yd.
The report on a machine working in New Mexico on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. says: "In cemented gravel, we find no difficulty, under favorable circumstances, in loading 75 to 100 cars per day, at a cost not to exceed 10 cts. per cu. yd."
The engineer of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware R. R. gives some statements as to the cost and amount of some excavating work done under his direction. This shovel worked about 5½ months in stiff clay, as follows:
- March loaded 1154 cars, worked 24 days.
- July loaded 955 cars, worked 24 days.
- Aug. loaded 1157 cars, worked 22 days.
- Sept. loaded 1556 cars, worked 23 days.
- Oct. loaded 1552 cars, worked 23 days.
- Nov. loaded 539 cars, worked 12 days.
Total, 6,915 cars, 41,490 cu. yds. Greatest number of cars loaded in a single day, 97. Shovel supposed to work ten hours a day, but did not average more than 6½ hours on account of waiting for cars. Carloads average 6 cu. yds. per car. Average cost of loading, 3 cts. per cu. yd., including expense of all men, shovel, oil, waste, etc. Loaded, hauled material, and unloaded at a distance of ten miles from pit, at 10 cts. per yd., including all costs, shovel, use of cars, engines and crews. A 20-mile haul on this road cost 15 cts. per yd., and a 30-mile haul about 20 cts. per yd., while on some roads a 30-mile haul costs over 75 cts. per yd., depending on the frequency of trains.