Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mining a mineral seam. The apparatus includes a frame, a propulsion system as well as first and second cutters and a cutter motor for winning aggregate material from the mineral seam. The apparatus is characterized by the cutter including a transmission gearcase having a bevel gear set, first and second sun gears, first and second planetary gear sets, first and second fixed planetary gear set carriers and first and second rotating ring gears. The output from the drive motor is connected to the bevel gear set which in turn drives the first and second sun gears which in turn drive the respective first and second planetary gear sets that in turn drive the first and second ring gears. The ring gears drive the first and second cutters, respectively.

Abstract: A continuous highwall mining machine (10) includes a frame (12) and a ground engaging loading shovel (32) that is mounted to extend forwardly from the frame. A cutter (16) for winning aggregate material is mounted to the frame (12) so as to extend above and forwardly of the loading shovel (32). An armless conveyor system (40) conveys aggregate material won from the mineral seam. The armless conveyor system includes twin chains having a forked section (44) at the forwardmost end carried on the loading shovel (32) and an uninterrupted humpless and dipless path extending rearwardly to a discharge end.

Abstract: A mining apparatus includes a frame, a mechanism for cutting an arched opening in a seam and winning the cut mineral, and a propulsion system. The cutting mechanism includes a boom supported mineral cutting drum having a barrel or bulging cylindrical shape. The propulsion system is canted on the frame at an angle from the horizontal in order to match the floor of the arched opening being cut by the drum.

Abstract: A continuous highwall mining machine includes a frame and a ground engaging loading shovel that is mounted to extend forwardly from the frame. A cutter for winning aggregate material is mounted to the frame so as to extend above and forwardly of the loading shovel. An armless conveyor system conveys aggregate material won from the mineral seam. The armless conveyor system includes twin chains having a forked section at the forwardmost end carried on the loading shovel and an uninterrupted straight path extending rearwardly from the forked section to a discharge end.

Abstract: A cylindrical drum assembly is rotatably mounted transversely on the front of the boom member of a continuous miner. The drum assembly comprises a pair of independently operable drum sections. Each drum section is driven through an input shaft connected to a motor. The drum sections may be connected by a coupler to form a unitary drum assembly which may be operated by only one of the motors. Torque is transmitted from the input shafts to a bevel gear rotatably supported in the drum section. The bevel gear is nonrotatably connected to a sun gear which in turn drives a plurality of planetary gears connected to a cylindrical planetary cage with a bore defining an inner surface. The cage is connected to a cylindrical inner housing on its outer surface and to an output shaft on its inner surface through a cylindrical shear coupler. A puller shaft is provided to remove the output shaft and the shear coupler.