002.253.Idrija

Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Republic of Slovenia

/

Mine

The iron pit cart (“hund”) has two axles, which are attached with slide bearings. The latter are attached to the supporting frame, which also has a hook for connecting it to the composition. The shorter sides are framed with a bumper made of curved metal, the longer sides have two shields on each side. The frames of the two shorter sides has welded sheet metal brackets, on which a semicircular crate for ore is positioned. There are two hooks on the side of the cart, which enable the cart to tilt. The crate has two handles on the shorted sides. The wheels have flange grooves and a braking system.

Length 163.5 cm, width 74 cm, height 118.5 cm.

Steel, cast iron

1960s

Manufacturer information is not known.

Iron pit carts were used for ore transportation from the blind shafts to the main shaft for excavated material. From here to the sites, the tailing and other filling material was transported. Fully loaded cart weighed up to 800 kg. Initially, this work was performed by the drivers (laufarji). In 1960s, the iron carts were transported by a locomotive. On the surface, they used them for transporting and shaking the ore into the Čermak-Špirek's reverberatory furnaces. That is why they were made of steel, so that they would not catch fire while shaking the ore into the operating furnace. An important advantage of the iron cart’s hook was that it allowed the cart to tilt cart on one side or the other. With this enhancement, safety increased, and the time required for shaking was shortened. It is an improved version of a cart which was used in other mines from the end of the 19th century onwards. The tipping solution was constructed by Dr Vidergard, the concept of the bumper and chassis (Idrian patent) was presented by Dr Uroš Bajželj and the plan was drawn by Ludvik Čibej. All the men mentioned above were employees of the Idrija Mercury Mine.

The iron pit cart ( “hund”) is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the CUDHg mining collection. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum display Anthony's Main Road, on the level I/17, in the shafts for excavated ore Jeklenka I/17 – I/15. In this part of the museum display, the tipping (štircanje) of the ore from level I/17 to lower Main levels is presented.

Idrija Mercury Mine (the pit, the smelting plant).

Anthony's Main Road (the Jeklenka shaft for excavated material I/17–I/15), Kosovelova 3, SI-5280 Idrija.

The iron pit cart ( “hund”) is well preserved. It was restored for the purpose of the museum presentation. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is ensured.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- CUDHg Inventory Book.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

8. 3. 2018

Never