Abstract: In order to overcome problems associated with drum cutter-loader mining machines having a cutting drum mounted at one or both ends of the machine on pivotable support arms and further having cutting drum drive motors positioned outside of the machine body, there is provided a unique support arm system for adjusting the height of the cutting drums and their associated drive motors which neither reduces the debris pass-through cross-section of the machine bridge nor impairs the height adjustability of the cutting drums. The support arm system for each cutting drum and drive motor includes a first support arm section pivotally mounted at one end thereof to an end of the machine body and a second support arm section pivotally mounted to an opposite end of the first arm section. The second support arm section carries at least the cutting drum drive motor at one end thereof and the drive motor of each support arm is positionable inside the coal seam winning track.