Abstract: A cradle for placing a support in a mine. The cradle includes a housing for holding the mine support. The cradle includes an arm mechanism rotatably attached to the housing which has an open position that allows the support to enter the housing and a closed position which prevents the support from leaving the housing. The cradle includes an attachment mechanism connected to the housing for rotatably attaching the housing to a platform of a mechanism for moving the mine support. The attachment mechanism maintains the housing in the horizontal position or a vertical position. A method for placing a support in a mine. The method includes the steps of moving a support from a platform to a cradle. Then there is the step of rotating the cradle until the support is in a vertical position relative to ground. Next there is the step of placing the support on the ground. Then there is the step of separating the support from the cradle. Next there is the step of tensioning the support with the mine roof.

Abstract: A mine roof support crib. The crib includes a plurality of chocks that are connected together through notches in the chocks to form at least three planes and able to support at least five tons of load. Each notch has at least one edge. A method of forming a mine roof support crib. A method of forming a chock for a mine roof crib to support a mine roof.

Abstract: A mine roof support crib. The crib includes a plurality of chocks that are connected together through notches in the chocks to form only three planes with at least two of the planes in perpendicular relation with each other and able to support at least five tons of load. Alternatively, the plurality of chocks that are connected together through notches in the chocks form only two planes which are in perpendicular relation with each other and are able to support at least five tons of load. A mine roof support crib. The crib includes a plurality of chocks that are connected together through notches in the chocks to be able to support at least five tons of load. The plurality of chocks comprises a first type of chock having only one notch on a first side and a second type of chock having at least one notch on a second side. The plurality of chocks is connected together. A method of forming a mine roof support crib.