http://tug44.org/gearwheel.jpg

To all, Canal Corp has made some progress on at least scoping out hat needs doing to fix the broken wheel. That wheel is around a hundred years old and now has a few broken teeth. Those broken teeth would cause a nasty lurching if they continued to use it and would cause further damage. See the actual wheel here: http://tug44.org/gearwheel.jpg I do not see any broken teeth there but with all the rust and stains, who knows. The gate itself is a many ton concrete block, counterbalanced by huge concrete weights. There is a giant "bicycle chain" that runs over the top of the lock tower, connecting the gate with the balance weights. This broken wheel was bolted alongside the main sprocket which has foot-long links on it. The wheel is the main power connection to the giant DC motor using to lift the gate. Right now they are using a large construction crane to provide the upward pull, along with the counterweights so all is working fine. Lock 17 will be closed tomorrow for changing something on the crane and then will resume locking on the half hour so no major delays will occur. Erie Canal will then be open. :) Is there anyone out there who is planning an Erie trip this summer? Fred Tug 44

    http://tug44.org/gearwheel.jpg

Fred, Erie Canal is one of our favorite transits!!!! But this summer we will be staying closer to our home port on Lake Superior....Bayfield, WI. We still want to return and do the canal route on bikes. Ken and Ellen Auk Manatee ‘36 Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 2, 2021, at 2:39 PM, fred@tug44.org wrote: > >  > To all, > > Canal Corp has made some progress on at least scoping out hat needs doing > to fix the broken wheel. That wheel is around a hundred years old and now > has a few broken teeth. Those broken teeth would cause a nasty lurching if > they continued to use it and would cause further damage. > > See the actual wheel here: > > http://tug44.org/gearwheel.jpg > > I do not see any broken teeth there but with all the rust and stains, who > knows. > > The gate itself is a many ton concrete block, counterbalanced by huge > concrete weights. There is a giant "bicycle chain" that runs over the top > of the lock tower, connecting the gate with the balance weights. This > broken wheel was bolted alongside the main sprocket which has foot-long > links on it. The wheel is the main power connection to the giant DC motor > using to lift the gate. > > Right now they are using a large construction crane to provide the upward > pull, along with the counterweights so all is working fine. > > Lock 17 will be closed tomorrow for changing something on the crane and > then will resume locking on the half hour so no major delays will occur. > > Erie Canal will then be open. :) > > Is there anyone out there who is planning an Erie trip this summer? > > > Fred > Tug 44 > > > > _______________________________________________ > > To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, > unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com