Do You Know, That? The Biggest Machine Of Czech R.

North Bohemia Region, close to Iron Ore Mountains, is well-known, owing to its  surface excavation of brown coal, mined there for more than one hundred years.

However, essential scars on face of this countryside begun to be deepened with mining and excavation of brown coal, which caused destruction of many communities, villages and estates. All these localities disappeared from the map of the country. So, this „moon area“, with dominantas of chimneys of industrial complexes in the horizon, a dust and inhospitality, all this was a picture of North Bohemia at the end of 1990. At present, when a discussion, regarding  breaking through of excavation (mining) limits is actuel, the situation is completely different. The re-cultivation as well as artificial lakes cover successfully a fact that a man caused and created with his inconsiderate activities within hundred of years of his operation. However, the surface excavation continues ahead. Since 2009, the biggest machine in Czech Republic - the excavator KU 300.15 - belongs to one of „main liquidator´s“ of the region.

This giant-like excavator KU 300-15 is not any novice there. Just in past, before moving into Bílina-great-quarry, the machine worked in Tušimice-quarry, not far from Chomutov, in distance approx. 70 kms from Most. Anyway, its original construction comes to 1975 - i.e. „golden era“ of surface mines. Nevertheless, since 2005, the machine was consequently taken to pieces, planned for extensive reconstruction of the whole machine, starting from electro-installation, motor replacement and new-equipment with modern technologies, making uncovering and coal mining more effective. So, under-carriage part, with giant belts as well as powerful crane construction, with a wheel, was cut in pieces and transferred (in eleven pieces) into new seat, close to Bílina. Here, the machine undergone complete reconstruction for more than three years, and added in new parts and conducting positions. The examination of the whole excavator was very difficult, from financial point of view, and total costs made CZK 200 millions. Anyway, making comparison with machine investments, reaching nearly CZK one billion, which probably would be costs of new machine, this step proved to be synonymously as most advantageous solution.

So, KU 300 excavator has the weight of 1200 tonns, after all arrangements, and its excavator´s execution is equal to 3500 cubic metres per one hour, which presents 400 lorries approx. ! So, total constant machine output makes 2000 kW, so, similar, which is the consumption of locality with 250 houses! The machine is attended, during one shift, with 4-6 steady workers. Except leading driver, the locksmiths-electricians and „flap-workers“ secure regular motion of transport-belts and transmitter-systems. Total coal exploitation in Bílina quarry zone is calculated till 2050, for a price of exceeding local limits - as total stock makes 300 millions of tonns of coal altogether! At the same time, Bílina is the deepest surface quarry in Czech Republic (250 m). Its bottom is situated practically at the level of Baltic Sea.

As far as the quality level is concerned, the quarry is producing  brown coal of the best quality, supplying Ledvice, most modern electric power station of our country. You are not the lovers of a countryside of depressive character and stifling coal smell of winter villages, for sure. On the other hand, this machine has something fascinating inside and outside, as if its colossal strength, dimensions or the ability to change something what the nature created for thousands of years, could be.

Technical Parametres of the Machine are as follows:

The weight:                         1200 tonns

The height:                          27 metres

The length:                          66 metres

Wheel diameter:                 7,5 metres

The speed:                          6 metres per 1 minute

Machine execution:           3500 square metres of the earth per one hour

Electricity consumption:   2500 kW/hour

Oil consumption:                200 kgs per one month

Unit price:                             CZK 700 000 000

Text: Jan Chaloupka

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: wikipedia commons + archive