Question

The type of haulage system used in case of undulating roadways

• A. Direct rope haulage
• B. Endless rope haulage
• C. Main and Tail rope haulage
• D. Gravity rope haulage

Hint:

Think of the ropes as providing control:
- Direct Haulage = 1 rope (pulls up only).
- Endless Haulage = 1 continuous loop (slow, steady pull).
- Main & Tail Haulage = 2 ropes (one pulls, one controls/pulls back).
The two-rope system gives the positive control needed to handle both uphill and downhill sections in a single trip.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to identify the rope haulage system that is suitable for use in roadways with an uneven or "undulating" gradient (i.e., with both uphill and downhill sections).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the suitability of each system:
-

Direct Rope Haulage: This uses a single rope to pull a set of tubs (a "train" or "set") up a gradient.
The empty tubs return downhill by gravity.
This system only works on a continuous uphill gradient and is unsuitable for undulations.
-

Endless Rope Haulage: This uses a continuous loop of rope that moves slowly in one direction.
Tubs are attached to the rope individually or in small groups.
While it can handle some changes in gradient, it is most efficient on gentle, relatively uniform gradients and can have problems with rope tension and tub stability on severe undulations.
-

Main and Tail Rope Haulage: This system uses two separate ropes and two separate drums on the hauler engine.
The "main" rope is attached to the front of the train to pull it inbye (towards the face).
The "tail" rope is attached to the back of the train, goes around a return pulley at the far end, and comes back to the second drum.
To move the train outbye, the tail rope drum is engaged to pull the train back.
Because there is positive control from both the front and the back, this system can pull the train up gradients, brake it down gradients, and navigate any combination of uphill and downhill sections.
It is the most flexible system and perfectly suited for undulating roadways.
-

Gravity Rope Haulage: This system uses the weight of loaded tubs going downhill to pull empty tubs uphill.
It requires a specific gradient profile and is not suitable for undulations.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The haulage system used for undulating roadways is Main and Tail rope haulage.
This corresponds to option (C).