Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a portable coring machine for penetrating a surface to install or repair sub-surface structures. Coring machine may include a frame assembly and a drilling device. Frame assembly may include a plurality of interconnected bars and facilitate operating drilling device in a generally horizontal position or in a generally vertical position. Further, frame assembly may accommodate core bits of different sizes for cutting an annular hole into asphalt, concrete or other hard surface. Support members of frame assembly may be configured to support a track including a plurality of teeth. The track may engage with a gear assembly of a mounting block configured to support the drilling device. Advantageously, coring machine may be moveable along track in response to an operator rotating a crank mechanically coupled to the gear assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mining method for steeply dipping orebodies. In the method, an excavator 152 is tethered to a deployment system 120 by one or more cables/umbilicals 144. The excavator 152 excavates slices 172a-h of the orebody 100 by moving generally up-dip, down-dip or a combination thereof. The excavator can be automated.

Abstract: A railroad undercutter economizes both weight and space requirements through the use of a single continuous chain which carries ballast from beneath a railroad track to a track supported conveyor with the chain entering beneath and exiting from beneath the track on the same side and turning through a vertical arc of approximately 130.degree. to move above the track.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, on the periphery of the motor wheel (8) and the return wheel (9) of a cutting arm, grooves (18) are provided which are separated from one another by ridges (19). This arrangement enables the traction couple to be transmitted to the endless component (10), which is provided on the exterior with cutting tools (11) and on the interior with guide plates (12), by the assembly of fibers adjacent to the principal fibers of the endless component (10) and not by the guide plates (12).