Product Description
Eimco (later part of Envirotech) supplied the pneumatic rocker-shovel mucking machines that loaded broken coal and rock in underground mines and development headings. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, the swing brakes and drive clutches on Eimco rocker shovels allegedly used asbestos-fabric brake band linings and asbestos friction facings to arrest and re-engage the bucket-swing motion under repeated cycle loads. Braking heat allegedly baked asbestos wear dust into the machine’s compressed-air exhaust plume.
Workers Exposed
Underground miners operating Eimco rocker shovels at the muck pile, mine mechanics changing brake linings and clutch facings in the underground shop, and millwrights rebuilding air motors allegedly inhaled asbestos dust released during braking, clutch engagement, and lining-replacement work. Compressed-air blowdown of the machine internals allegedly resuspended settled fibers.