Hankuk S.E.C. Co. Ltd., a division of Dong-A Geological Engineering Co. Ltd., has purchased a new Lovat 3.07 m diameter EPB/slurry TBM to excavate a cable tunnel in southern Korea at depth 14 m in granite rock formation with RQD values of 60-70 % and UCS of 120-150 MPa. The TBM is equipped with a bi-directional, multiple speed mixed face cuttinghead, with independently fed and operated face injection ports and disc cutters interchangeable with Lovat ripper teeth. The main bearing sealing system is designed for a maximum earth and water pressure of 4 bar under continuous operation in both EPB and slurry modes. Eight hydraulic motors power the cuttinghead, accompanied by one 300kW electric motor coupled to a variable displacement pump. Ten propulsion cylinders provide 850 t of constant thrust and variable extension and retraction speeds to propel the 93 t x 32 m-long TBM and backup. Visit www.lovat.com July 2000.