Instructions for the Working of William Baird and Co's Coal-Cutting Machines, about 1873.

The 'Gartsherrie' was the world's first mechanical coal cutter to use cutting teeth mounted on a chain, making it the prototype for the standard type of coal cutting machine over more than a century.

The machine was developed by the Scottish ironmasters William Baird and Co and built initially by Miller & Anderson at the Vulcan Foundry in Coatbridge. As orders increased Bairds built the Sunnyside Engine Works near their Gartsherrie Iron Works to build the coal cutter.

The Gartsherrie coal cutter was ultimately unreliable and was taken out of production after about 15 years. By 1875 the Sunnyside Engine Works was being let to engineer David Gray who in 1880 partnered with Andrew Lamberton to buy the works.

Museum reference:
NLC-2013-151
Date:
1872 - 1875
Made by:
William Baird & Co
Place Made:
Coatbridge
Associated with:
William Baird & Co · Russell Colt Street, Coatbridge, Scotland
inventor: Gledhill, Peter
Dimensions:
height: 280mm
width: 230mm
depth: 3mm
Materials:
paper

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