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A very special thanks to Benjamin Levy for his hard work in creating this information.

Construction and Mining Equipment, Volume 1.

This represents the machinery mix that would be used in the first phase of carving a new colony or outpost out of the wilderness, ie, clearing and flattening ground and creating a temporary air strip capable of handling interface vehicles.  (Equipment for operating the air strip, such as fuel tankage, navigational aids, etc, not included) It is assumed the buildings at this stage are pre-fabbed.   Prices given are for "standard" versions of the equipment.  The vehicles can all be adapted for exotic (or non existant) atmospheres as per the ground vehicle guide.   There are a few special rules that pertain to construction and mining vehicles: 

The civilian versions of these vehicles are delivered painted in high visibility colors and equipped with reflectors, flashers, alarms, etc, in the interest of safety.  The military versions are not.  Hence, when using military versions, deduct 3 from signature, but add two to any mishap rolls made while working with them. 

A skill such as Heavy Equipment Operator, Combat Engineer, Mining Engineer, Etc, is required to use most of this stuff.  The average- or even above average- untrained person will get himself hurt.  As none of these skills are in the standard rules, it is up to the Director to determine, if needed, who has the skill and how to acquire it.

You'll note that many of the vehicles here are much heavier than other, non-construction oriented versions of 2300 equipment.  Weight during construction operations is an asset.  Bulldozers need lots of friction, loaders, cranes, etc need counterweights for leverage, and trucks need to be heavy enough to avoid becoming dangeorusly top-heavy when loaded.
Caterpillar TWU 4 "Centaur" Work Unit, Track/Walker Hybrid  Type
Multi-purpose utility walker.  Arms may be used to carry loads, handlematerials, operate tools, etc. Design incorporates a tracked chassis,which, when the walker is being used in an upright position, is carried as if it were a large backpack.   In this position it acts as a  counterweight to any load carried in the walker's arms.  The tracked chassis is capable of extending downwards on telescoping struts.  The walker unit then leans back until the full weight is supported by the chassis.  In this position, the arms and legs can work together to handle much heavier loads, or the legs fitted with heavy tools such as a
plow or dozer blade. This unit can be operated by anyone with "Combat Walker" or "Heavy Equipment Operator" skill.  Irregular military forces can arm and armor the Centaur, although the result is mediocre.  It is much slower than military models, and much heavier (but if it could ever catch up to a military walker, it could pick it up and throw it).  The Centaur often arrives with the first deployment of a colonial engineering firm to a remote site.  Once unloaded, it can unload everything else before proceeding to work.  Comes equipped with minimal communications gear.
Weight:   2.5 tons,Crew: Operator, Armor  2 throughout, although any attack directed against the operator has a 20% chance of striking the safety cage, with a value of 6.
Signature 7, Evasion  2,Cargo:    Walking: 1.6 Tons (arms)    Tracked:   4 tons (arms and legs), Max Speed   30 Kph, walking, 60kph tracked, Average Speed 10 Kph, Combat Move 150m Tracked, 75m walking, Off Road Mobility:  Full, Power Plant   .1MW Fuel Cell, Fuel Capacity 40kg, Fuel Consumption 4kg/hr, Endurance 10 hours, Dimensions: (shipping)  3m x 1.75m x 1.5m
Price Lv 13,999
By way of the "CAT Fusion" hat depicted in the
Adventurer's Guide, I conclude that Caterpillar is one of the few, if
not the only, 20th century industrial corporations still active in the
24th.  I also assume that "CAT Fusion" refers not to their construction,
mining, quarrying, military and agricultural vehicles division but to their powerplant division which produces portable (To the folks at
Caterpillar, something can  weigh 20 tons and still be portable)
powerplants.  In 2300, though these portable powerplants are fusion
powered rather than gas turbine powered.  (Which is a bit of a bother
because 20th century gas turbine plants seem to be so much more
powerful, in MW per ton, than their 24th century successors.  Still, it explains the hat...) 

 

Henderson WMU 10 "Spider" Work Unit, Walker Type
A lightweight utility walker.  Its six legs give it excellent mobility in terrain that frustrates anything else- it can even climb stairs.  The two forward legs also function as tool mounts or material handlers. Extended, the forward legs can carry 250 kg.  This capacity can be increased, up to three times, by the placement of counterweights on the back of the Spider.  This will raise fuel consumption accordingly.  The spider is commonly used to handle heavy tools and move materiels in very unimproved surroundings.  Since it is operated from the seated instead of the standing position, the spider also has a profile low enough to be used in mines or inside buildings.  Standard unit is equipped with integral but minimal communications gear. 
Weight: 500kg (2 forward legs),Crew: Operator, Armor 1 throughout
Signature  6, Evasion 3, Cargo: 250 kg, (load on extended forward legs)
Max Speed   30 Kph, Average Speed  10 Kph, Combat Move 75m
Off Road Mobility:  Full,Power Plant .05MW Fuel Cell, Fuel Capacity 16 kg
Fuel Consumption 2kg/hr,Endurance 8 hrs, Dimensions: 2m x 2.5m x 2.5m
Price  Lv3599

 

Caterpillar  DT-190 Ground Clearing Vehicle, Tracked
Typical piece of earth moving/excavating equipment.  In addition to the heavy blade in the front, the DT-190 mounts a large tool arm in back, capable of swinging over the cab and bringing a heavy duty tool, typically a claw, cutting tool, electromagnetic hammer, etc, to bear on the problem at hand.  When clearing forests, the claw is the tool of choice, as it can pull trees and logs out of the way.  An electromagnetic hammer with a heavy duty breaker chisel head will be prefferred in rocky terrain.  The DT-190 is often outfitted with commiunicators, and a position locating system, for exact control of clearing operations.  Military versions are typically armored, and may
be used for the creation of defensive positions.
Weight: 8500kg, Crew: Operator, Armor:    25 at Blade, 2 throughout, although any attack directed against the operator has a 15% chance of striking the safety cage, with a value of 6. Signature   10, Evasion 1,  Cargo: None,Max Speed   80 Kph
Average Speed 40 Kph, Combat Move 200m, Off Road Mobility:  Half
Power Plant .25MW Fuel Cell, Fuel Capacity 120 kg, Fuel Consumption 10kg/hr
Endurance 24 hrs, Dimensions:  4m x 2.5m x 2.5m
Price Lv 21,599 

 

Konia  CTTR-20 Compactor/Tamper Unit, Trailer Type
Machine used to compact soil, gravel, etc, increasing the density and strength of a subgrade so as to support whatever infrastructure- landing strip, highway, railroad tracks, sidewalk, paved plaza, etc, is being built above it.    Tamping/Compaction is performed by a heavy steel plate which is rapidly raised and lowered by means of electro-magnets, powered by the unit's fuel cell.   During operation, the unit is towed behind or pushed in front of a walker work unit or other vehicle.   Work times will vary wildy depending on the degree of compaction required, and the condition of the precompacted fill, but 1500 cubic meters per hour is typical.  The unit's power supply is not required during towed transport.
Weight: 1500kg,  Crew: None (Operated from towing/pushing vehicle), Armor 0.2
Signature  7, Evasion  0,  Cargo: None, Max Speed   As towing vehicle,      Average Speed As towing vehicle, Combat Move As towing vehicle,                        Off Road Mobility: As per towing vehicle, Power Plant .04MW Fuel Cell,
Fuel Capacity 20 kg, Fuel Consumption 2kg/hr, Endurance 10 hrs
Dimensions: 1.5m x 2.5m x 1.75m
Price Lv1699

 

Caterpillar PV-22 Mobile Crusher/Pulverizer Unit, Wheeled
The PV-22 is only a recent means to accomplish one of mankind's most ancient tasks:  making big rocks into smaller rocks.  Why?  Because importing concrete, gravel, sand, stone, etc any distance is ludicrously cost inefficient.   With carborundum studded grinding drums and a water pump capable of putting out 100,000 PSI, (into its own mouth, so the water can be retrieved, filtered, and re-used) the PV-22  can reduce 36 tons of rock per hour to pebbles, or 20 tons to sand, depending on the
choice of the operator.  Also used for pulverizing mine tailings, and reducing bulk rock to workable ore.    
Weight: 3500kg, Crew: None (Operated remotely, and only when set up)
Armor 0.4,Signature  12, Evasion   0, Cargo: None, Max Speed   As towing vehicle
Average Speed  As towing vehicle, Combat Move As towing vehicle
Off Road Mobility:  As per Towing Vehicle, Power Plant .2 MW Fuel Cell
Fuel Capacity 80 kg, Fuel Consumption 8kg/hr, Endurance 10 hrs
Dimensions: 5m x 2.5m x 3m
Price Lv 48,999

 

Pundi Industrial SVTR-30 Telescoping Loading/Conveyor Unit, Trailer
An articulating, mobile conveyor system, able to extend up to 100 meters horizontally and 25 meters vertically, as well as allowing for up to two 90 degree turns along its length, as well as "micropositioning" at the two ends.  Capable of moving up to 2000 tons per hour.  Typically used to move material from a quarry, mine, or excavating site to a loading site or tailings mound.
Weight: 4 Tons, Crew: None (Operated remotely, and only when set up)
Armor 0.2, Signature  12, Evasion   0, Cargo: None, Max Speed   As towing vehicle,  Average Speed  As towing vehicle, Combat Move As towing vehicle
Off Road Mobility:  As per Towing Vehicle, Power Plant   .03 MW Fuel Cell
Fuel Capacity 20 kg, Fuel Consumption 2kg/hr, Endurance 10 hrs
Dimensions:  40m x 2m x 2.5m
Price Lv 16,999

 

Henderson EXT-17 "Exomite" Demolitions Vehicle, Tracked
A small tracked vehicle specialized in the removal of "hard" rock.  Used for mining, road cuts, and bedrock excavation.  Armored hatches along the front of the vehicle conceal more specialized and dangerous looking tools than a Kafer's mouth.  It was decided, by the manufacturers, that this arrangement of multiple permanent fixtures, as opposed to a universal tool mount or two, would save the operator time as he switched between tasks.  Included are: 1 ultrasonic probe for structural analysis,  1 probe/manipulator for placing and tamping of explosives, 1 vacuum hose, for removing dust and abrasives cuts and probe holes, 2 sweeper arms for clearing rubble, 1 100,000 psi micro-fine water cannon, with carborundum abrasive feed hopper, for cutting and drilling rock, abrading soft rock, damping down dust,  and saturating cuts and holes with water, and one laser, for super-heating water saturated holes and causing the rock to split, as well as vaporizing small bits of rocks for
analysis by spectrograph.  The vehicle is heavily armored, for protection against flying rock splinters, collapses, and demolitions accidents.  The rear of the vehicle contains a winch, a heavy metal anchor, and some 50 meters of heavy duty cable.  The anchor is set before the vehicle goes to work, and provides a retrieval mechanism in
case something goes wrong.  There are also hoses for connections to external water and abrasive tanks for extended operations, and storage space for additional tools and demolition charges.  The exomite can "eat" through 10 cubic meters of rock per hour.
Weight: 3500kg, Crew: 1 (room for 1 passenger), Armor:  Front and overhead 40  Sides 8    Rear 1, Signature  7, Evasion 1, Cargo: None, Max Speed   100 Kph    
Average Speed  40 Kph, Combat Move 250m, Off Road Mobility:  Half
Power Plant  .2 MW Fuel Cell, Fuel Capacity 80 kg, Fuel Consumption 8kg/hr
Endurance 10 hrs, Dimensions:  5m x 2.5m x 2m
Price  Lv 93,999

 

Caterpillar HTT-700 Off Road Medium Hauler, wheeled
A medium weight dump truck, used for movement of earth and bulk materials.  Cargo area can be tipped to dump to the rear or side, or hoppered to release load from beneath.  (In this fashion it is commonly  used for spreading gravel, sand or road materials over a work area). Since cargo space is at a premium when delivering equipment by air or interface vehicle, the hauler will generally arrive with its cargo bed
packed with other equipment.  Can be fitted with a plow for light clearing duty.  
Weight: 14 tons, Crew: 1 (room for 1 passenger), Armor 0.4 Throughout
Signature  11, Evasion  0,  Cargo: 20 Tons, Max Speed   120 Kph
Average Speed 80 Kph, Combat Move 300 m, Off Road Mobility:  One Quarter
Power Plant  .4 MW Fuel Cell, Fuel Capacity 160 kg, Fuel Consumption 16kg/hr
Endurance 10 hrs, Dimensions:  5m x 2.5m x 3m
Price Lv 18,999

 

"DIRTLOK" Deep Soil Stabilization System
Used to provide reinforcement of subgrades in areas where soil is too loose to maintain comapction, such as swamp or sand areas.  System consists of 2 elements.  First are the perforated composite tubes, 3cm diameter by 1 meter long, which are driven into the soil by means of electromagnetic hammer.  The tubes can link together to provide whatever length the engineer deems necessary.  The second is a two component, fast hardening liquid synthetic grout which is force pumped into the
tubes.  The grout leaves the perforated tubes under pressure and hardens, forming a strong rootlike tangle, strengthening the soil.  Also used to reinforce walls and ceilings of mines.
High pressure Grout Pump: (11kg)  Lv 210     
60 "Dirtlok" tubes:  (15kg)  Lv 180
Synthetic Grout for 60 Tubes, (1 150 liter tank each of components A and B) Lv 80
(Shippers take note:  Grout components should always be separated during
shipping, material will harden rapidly when both components are mixed.

 

Electromagnetic Hammer, Work Unit Mount
Uses alternating magnetic fields to operate a hardened metal hammer.   This does what hammers typically do, either break things or insert things, but with... as the 20th century Sitcom character put it.. MORE POWER!  Has no integral power source, as it is vehicle or walker mounted and draws power from its carrier.   (Typically, the vehicle or walker is not moving while using the hammer, so this isn't a problem)  A variety
of chisels and other heads can be mounted on the hammer, from diamond-coated awls for splitting the toughest materials to a specialized driver head to insert "Dirtlock" tubes. A hammer mounting a chisel designed for destruction of rock, concrete,
etc, is commonly called a "breaker".
Weight:25 Kg, Price: Lv300

 

Construction Chemical Sprayer, Man Portable
A battery powered, lightweight device for spray or mist application of chemicals.  Connects by hose to either a pack mounted tank, or a roll-along tank.   Sprayer has valves to allow proper mixing of seperately stored chemical components.   A small display shows the operator the current tank load remaining, the dispersal rate, and the
current settings (pressure, droplet size, etc.)
Weight:2 Kg + Tank weight,  Price: Lv35

 

Construction Chemical Sprayer, Work Unit or Vehicle Mount
Drawing off vehicle or walker power, the big brother of the device described  above.  Controls and display are remotely located so as to be reachable by the vehicle or walker operator.  Enables fine control over quantities sprayed and areas covered,  (useful, for example, if you want to control precisely the thickness of a coating)   Connects by hose to either a vehicle carried or trailer tank.  Sprayer has valves to
allow proper mixing of seperately stored chemical components
Weight:20 Kg + Tank weight,  Price: Lv 180

 

"Aud-Alert" Warning Markers
Small, reflective, luminous, battery powered, annoying plastic squares that are posted around work areas.  In addition to visually warning of hazards, the "Aud-Alerts" announce it to anyone coming within 4 meters of the sign.   (detection is via a simple thermal system, fairly easy to fool if you really want to)  With over 1200 preprogrammed warnings in a number of languages, such as "Warning!  No Bridge!", "Danger, Blasting in Progress!" or "Caution!  Wet Paint!"  (This last ensures that
passersby will test the surface in question, just to be sure the warning is accurate) the Aud-Alert has sufficient battery life- 72 hours- to ensure non stop irritation of work crews.  The Aud Alert is used primarily where local governments or insurance companies insist on it. The Pentapods are known to be working on an equivalent product, but at this time it does nothing that a well trained parrot can't.
Weight: .25 kg, Price: Lv 5

 

Field Office Trailer
A portable shelter with climate control, lighting, desks, seating, cabinets and a restoom.  Space for computers and communications equipment, including a sattelite uplink, is included, but the devices themselves are not. 
Weight: 1.5 tons, Crew: 2-8, Armor 0.1 Throughout, Signature  8, Evasion  0,   Cargo: None, Max Speed As per Towing Vehicle,Average Speed:  As per Towing Vehicle, Combat Move As per Towing Vehicle, Off Road Mobility:  15 Kph Max- higher towing speeds may damage trailer, Power Plant  .03 MW Fuel Cell
Fuel Capacity 96 kg, Fuel Consumption 1 kg/hr, Endurance 96 hrs,    Dimensions:  9m x 2.5m x 3m
Price Lv 2,599

 

Field Crew Support Trailer
A "life support" unit supplying showers, laundry, galley and sanitary facilities for work crews in remote areas.  Military and conscript crews may put up with less, as would poor laborers, but professionals will require these trailers.   One will serve a 25 man crew.
Weight: 2 tons, Crew: None, Armor 0.1 Throughout, Signature  8, Evasion  0  
Cargo: None, Max Speed  As per Towing Vehicle, Average Speed: As per Towing Vehicle, Combat Move As per Towing Vehicle, Off Road Mobility: 15 Kph Max- higher towing speeds may damage trailer, Power Plant  .04 MW Fuel Cell
Fuel Capacity 150 kg, Fuel Consumption 1.5 kg/hr, Endurance 100 hrs
Dimensions:  9m x 2.5m x 3m
Price Lv 4,299

  "Intellipost" Automated Survey and Control Stake System

"Intellipost" Software
Necessary for computers to administer "intellipost" system.   Computers, Document scanners, and survey and navigational satellites are not manufactured by Intellipost, but useful in getting the full benefit of the system.   Intellipost software is compatible with most design software, allowing the actual process on the ground to be guided
directly from plans and surveys in the computer's memory.  Intellipost software also reponds immediately to design changes.  For example, if an  engineer alters the design to reroute a sewer line, red blinking lights will flash on all the control/survey stakes already planted at the site laying out the future sewer line, indicating they are improperly positioned. 
"Intellipost" Software, v.16.2   Price: Lv140
"Intellipost" Software, v.1.0   Price:   Lv    2

 

"Intellipost" central node module
Maintains constant, precise local positioning of up to 640 control stakes and display modules, in relation to geography, construction plans, and the other units.
Weight: 2kg  Price: Lv 400

 

  "Intellipost" Survey/Control stake    
Used to establish key control points from the construction plans- points are established with the computer, and the system's survey/control stakes then guide workers placing them, using a miniature "direction/range indicator".  The worker merely follows the stake's instructions to bring it to the proper place, then drives it into the ground, after which the stake 'micro-adjusts' itself for precise alignment.  Stakes guide materials placement, and show directions, angles, plumb and level lines with the aid of low power lasers.  Stakes are battery powered.
Weight: .5 Kg Price: Lv7

 

"Intellipost" operator's display module
Allows equipment to be tied into the Intellipost system.  With a few stakes establishing directions and dimensions, for example, and a display module in the cab of a tunneling vehicle, and operator could excavate a tunnel aligned almost perfectly with the construction plan. Other manufacturers produce robotic vehicle and equipment control devices that can interface with Intellipost- these can enable some operations to proceed with no human crew at all.  Intellipost does not recommend this and will accept no liability for errors occurring in the  absence of a human operator.
Weight: 1.5 Kg   Price:Lv 125

 

"AEROMAT" Spray applied lightweight structural mesh
Fast curing binary-type chemical compound which,  when sprayed, forms amesh of very fine, very strong interwoven and tangled synthetic fiber.This is typically sprayed either into a form- a box designed to give thestructural mesh shape- directly onto the ground to add strength toconcrete or other paving materials, or onto a wall to support stucco.  1liter of chemical will form about 2 cubic meters of mesh, enough to
reinforce 10 square meters of paving. 

Note to Shippers:  While the binary component system offers protectionagainst product curing in the event of a leak, tanks of "A" and "B"components should always be stored with maximum distance between them,to minimize chance of product curing in the event of multiple ruptures to containers.

Price: Lv5  per Liter in small quantities, Lv3.75   per liter in tanks (100
Liters +)

 

"HAACSaw"  Hyper-Accellerated Abrasive Cutting Tool, Vehicle or
Work Unit Mounted

State of the art cutting system using a mass driver to propel a stream of particles, diamond, carborundum, or synthetic, at a surface.  No internal power,   requires connection to walker work unit or vehicle power source of at least .1 MW   (carriers lacking this power can carry additional fuel cell power units)   Within a half-meter of the nozzle, the abrasive stream is moving at speeds of up to Mach 5, and will make a
meter long long cut at rate of .75 Armor Value points per second. Cutting power falls of rapidly with distance in an atmosphere, being reduced by a factor of 3 every additional half meter, and having no effect at all past 5 meters.  In a vacuum, it's another story, with cutting power being reduced by a factor of 2 per 10 meters (due to the abrasive stream spreading with distance)  In vacuum, however, the integral abrasive recovery system cannot be used, so a steady supply (.1kg/sec.) must be available.   Even with the recovery system on, some abrasive loss is inevitable: 1 kg/hour is typical.  Some uses for HAACSaw include cutting of raw stone into shaped pieces for masonry work, cutting structural steel (and other metals), cutting armor plate for field repair of armored vehicles, rescue and demolitions work, and making "control" cuts for underground excavating. The nozzle directing the abrasive stream from HAACSaw can be set to rotate, allowing HAACSaw to execute circular cuts or even be used as a core drill.  For safety purposes, the unit is often used in conjunction with the "Intellipost" system, with the HAACSaw set to disengage automatically if the unit is moved or turns away from its delineated work area. 
Weight:120 Kg,  Price Lv8,900

 

Portable Bulk Loading System, Trailer Mounted
Loads, packages, and/or bags sand, gravel, and other bulk material- wood chips, whatever- from loose piles.  Often teamed with a pulverizer for turning local rock into useful building materials.  Can be used for fast loading of sand bags- a great aid in flood or military situations- or packing of rock into mesh blocks- or loading piled gravel into hoppers for spreading on roads, etc.  An unsung but valuable piece of machinery, capable of loading or packaging up to 12 tons per hour.  Bags, containers, etc, are a minimal additional cost.
Weight: 400kg, Crew: None (Operated from towing/pushing vehicle), Armor 0.1
Signature 5, Evasion  0, Cargo: None, Max Speed   As towing vehicle,
Average Speed As towing vehicle, Combat Move As towing vehicle,
Off Road Mobility:  As per towing vehicle, Power Plant   .02MW Fuel Cell
Fuel Capacity 10 kg, Fuel Consumption 1kg/hr, Endurance 10 hrs
Dimensions:  3m x 2m x 1.75m
Price Lv499

 

Spray Applied Siloxi-Polymer Consolidant
Fast curing liquid adhesive compound, used for solidifying sand, bonding materials together, and putting a tough, clear shell on wood and other materials.  It will Not produce an esthetic finish- prior to curing, it has extreme adhesion qualities, and will invariably bind dirt and dust as it cures.  Nor will it give a smooth finish, due to its curing speed. Typically, it is used to bind local materials when doing "quick"
construction.  For example, in creating a hasty landing field for shuttlecraft or spaceplanes, after the land has been flattened, graded, and compacted, a layer of   "Aeromat" would be applied, the mat filled with locally available sand, and the sand consolidated with polymer. The whole operation could produce a servicable runway within a month-about a week if the manpower is available to run triple shifts, and the terrain not too rough. When used in this manner, one liter will bind about a third of a cubic meter of sand, or about two square meters of runway surface.  It's fast, not cheap 

Note to shippers:  Exercise caution in handling containers, especially in zero or low gravity conditions.  Even small shipboard spills in the absence of gravity could have severe consequences..

Price: Lv3  per liter in small containers, Lv2.4 per liter in 150 Liter
tanks.

 

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Last modified: Sunday, March 12, 2000 08:26 PM