Abstract: A rotary actuator is supported within the cutter drum of a drum-cutter mining machine for pivotally positioning a clearing shield about the outer peripheral surface of the cutter drum. A holder used to pivotally support the clearing shield from the cutter drum is resiliently coupled to an outer ring member of the rotary actuator. An inner ring of the actuator encircles a reduction drive gear for the cutter drum and is connected thereto by bolt fasteners that extend through projections from the inner ring while received in recesses in the reduction drive gear. The bolt fasteners resist loading in the axial direction of the drum; while spring members between the reduction drive gear and the inner ring absorb peripheral loading.