The Workhorse range of heavy-duty foundry ladles can be supplied with either the standard manually operated wormgear assembly or with a motorized gear assembly for the rotation of the ladle. The ladle construction is normally identical for both the manual and motorized ladle options.

The Motor gear assembly can be offered as standard with either an electric motor or pneumatic motor option. Both types have advantages that may make one type more suitable than the other for a particular foundry and style of operation.

The motorised gear assembly consists of a motor gear drive unit and an Acetarc gearbox linked, via a quick release clutch assembly, to give a double reduction gearing. This results in a tilting system that gives high torque with a low output speed. The two gear units are mounted on a common back plate assembly and are protected by a steel splash guard enclosure.

In normal working conditions, the ladle is rotated using the motorised gear arrangement. However in the event of a power failure etc, the two gear units can be disengaged, via the clutch assembly. A handwheel can then be fitted to the Acetarc gearbox pinion shaft and the ladle can be then rotated manually as if it is a standard manually operated ladle.