Abstract: A cutting drum for a mining machine, for example a shearer drum comprising helical vanes, to which picks are secured at spaced intervals peripherally thereof. In conventional practice, housings for the picks are secured such as by welding directly to the shearer drum vane. In accordance with the invention, a mounting device is fixedly secured to the shearer drum vane, and the housing for the pick is releasably secured to the mounting device. This enables the pick housings to be readily removed from the shearer drum, in the event that one or more of the pick housings becomes damaged during operation of the machine.

Abstract: A mining conveyor assembly of the kind comprising a conveyor which, in the use of the assembly, extends alongside a mine face. The conveyor comprises an elongate wall connected to and upstanding from the conveyor on the goaf side thereof, and a fence structure secured to the assembly in spaced relation to the wall member to provide a trough, in which the cable or cables supplying services to a mining machine, which travels along a trackway afforded by the conveyor assembly, is received as the machine traverses backwardly and forwardly along the trackway.The fence structure is yieldable to externally applied forces, preferably both in a direction laterally of the fence structure, and also in a direction extending longitudinally of the fence structure. In this manner, tendency of the cable or cables to become damaged, during operation, may be minimized.