This order was for eight single-mould slab presses with special tooling to produce hexagonal interlocking slabs for lining canals.
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If you remember designing, machining, fitting, installing, maintaining, or working with this machine please share your memories at the bottom of the page by clicking on the words Add a comment about this page.
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Hi everyone, I am a Romanian researcher interested in documenting the social and technological history of the Sadova – Corabia irrigation system through the participation of British experts in the 70’s. Is there anyone who offered comments on this post that would allow me to contact you? Thank you! Bogdan Iancu (National School of Political and Administrative Studies – Bucharest)
I was the Slab Factory Manager on the Sadova Corabia Irrigation Project based in Ocolna near Dabulenii Romania from 1971 to 1973. The factory had 8 presses capable of producing interlocking hexagonal slabs and rectangular slabs.
Ed: Fred, that’s a great piece of confirmatory information. Were you there when the project was completed and do you know what happened to the presses thereafter? John B
Hi John! I too remember these presses and also worked on them, probably along side Alistair. I think George Meredith may have worked on them, as I’m also sure did Bob Blowers, who I think went out to Romania to install them.
As there were eight presses to be built I’m sure that most of us in Hydraulic 2 would have been involved in their construction somewhere along the line.
I wonder if any of those presses are still working somewhere? Fielding equipment was certainly made to last!
Chippy Aston
I remember this job well. I was working in Hydraulic 2 and building some of these presses, just prior to going into the offices to work for Colin Fudge.
From what I recall, the slabs were designed to interlock and remain in place even if the ground moved beneath them. Wasn’t the area liable to earth tremors? Perhaps someone else can remember this.
The project was shown on Tomorrows World. I think it was Raymond Baxter who was the presenter.
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