Steam crane

[albertocelot]

I'm beginning the design of a 1:11,3 scale model of the Bucyrus Erie 250 Tons Steam Crane. I have enough documentation but still I cannot understand how the water is fed to the boiler while the crane is working. I suppose it uses an injector, but I am not sure, since I cannot see it in any drawing or photo.
Anyone can help me? Thank you

[whodom]

I've seen a couple of railroad steam cranes and IIRC, they had one injector and one reciprocating steam-driven pump to feed water to the boiler.

You might check with some of the railway museums around- I'm sure there are a few steam cranes preserved and the boiler feed must have been fairly standard.

Good luck.

[Rick Rowlands]

All the wrecking derricks that I have seen had an injector and a small duplex pump. I've always prefered the Industrial Brownhoists to the Bucyrus Eries. The IBs had way more room on the deck than a BE.

[albertocelot]

Can anyone suggest me one ore more books where to find how a steam crane machinery works? In the present time I have lack of information about the raising and the lowering of the hooks; I have some drawings of a Bucyrus-Erie CL200 steam crane and there I found some jaw clutches and brake wheels, but I cannot understand how they work and the sequence of operation.
Thank you!!

[joby]

I worked on steam cranes back in the 60s, we had two types of water injectors; one type was, as mentioned by another member, a pump. the other type was a steam injection device which was controlled by the adjustment of two hand valves, one being for steam the other for water. The valves had to be adjusted while the operator listened to the sound produced by the injector, when a consistent whistle was produced water was entering the boiler. the injector manufacturers name was Velox.

Hope this helps