Abstract: A boring type continuous mining machine having a plurality of boring heads each of which is adapted to cut a substantially rectangular profile bore in the mine face. Each boring head includes a primary cutter head and at least one contour cutter rotatable with the primary cutter and also about an axis spaced from and parallel to the rotational axis of the primary cutter. Each contour cutter carries eccentric cutter teeth which cut selective profile areas radially outwardly and intersecting the bore cut by the associated primary cutter head. The boring heads are supported on the mining machine frame in a manner allowing independent drive of the boring heads and isolating thrust loads from the boring head drive trains.

Abstract: A shaker conveyor is disclosed which includes a conveyor trough supported for reciprocating movement and having drive means including a pull rod adapted to effect reciprocating movement of the conveyor in a manner to advance discrete particles therealong. The conveyor trough has a resiliently mounted discharge end adapted to withstand forces which might otherwise tend to damage the trough and pull rod, and the pull rod is adapted to undergo axial foreshortening when subjected to predetermined axial loading so as to prevent damage thereto.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for use with a shaker conveyor to effect longitudinal reciprocating movement of a conveyor trough is disclosed, the drive mechanism including a flywheel mounted for driving rotation about its center axis and connected to a slide block longitudinally movable along a lever arm mounted for pivotal movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the flywheel. The slide block is connected to the flywheel eccentric to its axis of rotation and the lever arm is connected to the conveyor trough so that constant speed rotation of the flywheel effects reciprocating movement of the conveyor trough in a manner to advance particulate material along the trough.

Abstract: A pull rod assembly is disclosed which includes telescoping inner and outer rod members one of which is adapted for connection to a drive member and the other of which is adapted for connection to a driven member. A pair of movable pawls are carried by the outer rod member and are operable to interlock with the inner rod member to maintain the rod members in selected axial positions relative to each other. Control means are operative to effect selective release of the pawls such that the overall length of the pull rod assembly may be varied while the driven rod member is subjected to a reciprocating motion from the drive member.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a shaker conveyor is disclosed in which a drive unit is supported on a mounting beam and has an output crank connected through a pull rod to a conveyor trough such that the puller rod undergoes movement in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the trough. The drive unit is rotatable relative to the mounting beam in a manner to selectively vary the acceleration characteristics of the conveyor trough, and has a self-contained internal lubricating system which provides improved quiet operation.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a shaker conveyor is disclosed in which a drive unit is supported on a mounting beam and has an output crank connected through a pull rod to a conveyor trough such that the puller rod undergoes movement in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the trough. The drive unit is rotatable relative to the mounting beam in a manner to selectively vary the acceleration characteristics of the conveyor trough, and has a self-contained internal lubricating system which provides improved quiet operation.