Abstract: An auger machine, such as a mining machine, embodying features that reduce the cost of mining.

Abstract: A lever-operated latching device for securing in endwise coupled relation a socket portion and mating shank of axially aligned auger sections of an auger mining machine. The latching device is designed to be of minimum radial dimension so as to fit in a hole of limited radial cross section bored by the auger machine, and includes a latch pin that reciprocates in a passage formed in the socket portion between an extended position in latching engagement with the shank and a retracted unlatching position. The pin is biased by a spring toward its extended position and is retractable by a lever that engages a retractor element on the pin and that also acts as limit means that prevents the pin from extending beyond its extended latching position against the force of the spring. Openings are provided to permit removal by the latch pin of debris that could impair operative movement of the latch pin.

Abstract: A lever-operated latching device for securing in endwise coupled relation a socket and mating shank of axially aligned auger sections of an auger mining machine, and a mechanism for automatically releasing essentially simultaneously a plurality of lever-operated latching devices of auger sections located in generally coplanar parallel adjacent alignment, the operating levels of the levers of which latching devices are subject to displacement from an intended coplanar relationship. The latching device is designed to be of minimum radial dimension so as to fit in a limited radial cross section of hole bored by the auger machine, and includes a latch pin that reciprocates in a passage formed in the socket between an extended position in latching engagement with the shank and a retracted unlatching position.