How does Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) work? A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is a specialised piece of equipment used to excavate tunnels through various types of soil and rock. It works by using a rotating cutter head with sharp disc cutters or tools that grind away the material in front of it, creating a tunnel of a precise diameter. As the cutter head rotates, the TBM simultaneously removes excavated material through a conveyor system and supports the newly created tunnel walls with precast concr

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) features crucial mechanical elements such as main bearings that support the rotating cutterhead, allowing it to excavate efficiently. Erector bearings play a pivotal role in the tunnel lining process, supporting the erector arms responsible for placing concrete segments to form the tunnel walls. Hydraulic pumps power essential functions like the movement of the cutterhead and the operation of erector arms, providing the necessary force for excavation and tunnel li

So just how do you drive the largest tunnel boring machine in the southern hemisphere? Meet Ben, one of our tunnel boring machine operators. | West Gate Tunnel Project