Parallel to Bucket Wheel Excavators Tenova TAKRAF has a long tradition delivering Bucket Chain Excavators (BCE) applied for similar material conditions. BCEs are continuous cutting machines with the ability of excavating below the bench (travel) level in case of an instable pit floor or a high level of ground water (Even working under water is possible).
Tenova TAKRAF offers BCE with capacities between 1000 and 3000 m³/h and cutting depths/heights between 5 and 16/19 m. Characteristic of a BCE are the bucket chain, the superstructure with counterweight boom/platform, the sub-structure with rail or crawler track undercarriage. A transfer boom is necessary only for block operation.

Several modes of operation are possible when using BCE. The BCE travels on rails rectangular to the direction of the pit advance. The material is transferred to a cross pit Conveyor Bridge or falls on a bench conveyor right beneath the excavator.
Another alternative is a crawler track propelled machine working in block operation together with a shiftable bench conveyor with or without a Mobile Transfer Conveyor. The largest BCE ever built is a Tenova TAKRAF ERs 3750 with a maximum capacity of 14500 m³/h and a cutting depth/height of 31/34 m – that is still in operation.