Aussie Mega Mechanics
Mining draglines and bucket wheels, excavators and airlines, crushers and ship lifts, dredgers and dozers - these are just some of the mega machines that drive multi billion dollar industries. Breakdowns can be catastrophic so it's up to the skill and experience of Mega Mechanics to keep the wheels in motion, the gears turning and the hydraulics pumping. Mega Mechanics is a new 6 x 48 minute observational documentary series following some of Australia's best mechanics, fitters and engineers as they work on the biggest machines in the country. Whether it's replacing jet engines on an A330 or craning a 10 tonne jig elevator bucket out of the roof of a 5 story coal preparation plant, cutting a half a million dollar high-voltage cable or holding back a flood of more than 1.7 million megalitres of water to maintain a dam wall - the dangers are very real, the risks constant and, a mistake could be fatal. The conditions, as well as the machines, are tough; our Mega Mechanics work beside mountains of coal, or in a mining pit with temperatures soaring past 40 Degrees Celsius. Jobs take them to the highest heights and deep underground. There's machinery that has been around for more than one hundred years and then there's the latest technology leading the way. Go behind the scenes with Mega Mechanics and see what it takes to keep huge machines operational. Meet the people who must maintain these heavy metal wonders of industry, who are on the job constantly faced with challenges to overcome and who must manage extreme risks on a day to day basis.
- 2018-2021
- 2 seasons
- Documentary
Mining draglines and bucket wheels, excavators and airlines, crushers and ship lifts, dredgers and dozers - these are just some of the mega machines that drive multi billion dollar industries. Breakdowns can be catastrophic so it's up to the skill and experience of Mega Mechanics to keep the wheels in motion, the gears turning and the hydraulics pumping. Mega Mechanics is a new 6 x 48 minute observational documentary series following some of Australia's best mechanics, fitters and engineers as they work on the biggest machines in the country. Whether it's replacing jet engines on an A330 or craning a 10 tonne jig elevator bucket out of the roof of a 5 story coal preparation plant, cutting a half a million dollar high-voltage cable or holding back a flood of more than 1.7 million megalitres of water to maintain a dam wall - the dangers are very real, the risks constant and, a mistake could be fatal. The conditions, as well as the machines, are tough; our Mega Mechanics work beside mountains of coal, or in a mining pit with temperatures soaring past 40 Degrees Celsius. Jobs take them to the highest heights and deep underground. There's machinery that has been around for more than one hundred years and then there's the latest technology leading the way. Go behind the scenes with Mega Mechanics and see what it takes to keep huge machines operational. Meet the people who must maintain these heavy metal wonders of industry, who are on the job constantly faced with challenges to overcome and who must manage extreme risks on a day to day basis.
Season 2 Episode Guide
10 Episodes 2021
Episode 1
Crane Down
One of Australia's largest hydro power stations undertakes a high stakes valve replacement; they have six hours to get the 800kg replacement part down six stories.
Episode 2
Piece by piece
The Kooragang Coal Terminal is buzzing with the arrival of a newly designed Ship Loading Spout and Trimmer Flap.
Episode 3
Rush Hour
In Central Queensland, the army mechanics from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment have two hours to overhaul a tank suspected of hoarding unwanted debris.
Episode 4
Back on track
The mechanics at Brisbane's Gallipoli Barracks's Light Horse Regiment aim to complete two huge tasks.
Episode 5
Sky high stakes
The team at Murray 1, Snowy Hydro's second-largest power station, reassemble a massive power turbine after they find extensive cracking in the top cover.
Episode 6
Slowly but surely
A week-long mechanical marathon for the team of Queensland Rail mechanics, as they work to hoist a six-tonne V12 engine.
Episode 7
Feeling the heat
A week-long mechanical marathon for the team of Queensland Rail mechanics, as they work to hoist a six-tonne V12 engine.
Episode 8
Risky repairs
South of Jindabyne, a mini hydro station has long-awaited repair work done, thanks to the arrival of a brand new submerged discharge valve.
Episode 9
Blast off!
Tensions are high at the Gilmour Space Technologies test facility on the Gold Coast, where the team prepares to put their brand new rocket through its second test.
Episode 10
Time is money
In Sydney, Leichhardt Bus Depot, one of the largest in the Southern hemisphere, the team has to scramble to repair two buses before the morning rush hour.