Page 64 - 00 Volume 5 The Mine

The 120-B electric excavator being viewed by Alexander MacDonald, father of one of the operators
Harry MacDonald. During all operations around the machine care had to be taken that the very high
voltage cable feeding the several motors were protected. During the repositioning of the 120-B the
cable was hefted by hand. An interruption to the power flow would render the machine useless. At
one point a second 120-B was added to the mine to increase the removal of overburden. The
operating noise within the cab as the various motors spun up and down affected the operators
hearing over a period of time. It was not a usual practice for ear-muffs to be worn. The cab had to be
rotated so that the steps were above the tracks before access and exit of the operator. A large
tonnage of weights were placed at the back of the cab to counterbalance the action of the bucket on

the front arm.