Abstract: A method automatically for adjusting the hoist speed of a drill is disclosed. The method includes determining the mast angle of the drilling implement relative to a work surface, and changing the hoisting speed of the drill implement depending on the mast angle.

Abstract: A method includes: determining a mast angle of a drilling implement, calculating the optimized hoisting speed for a drilling implement based on the mast angle or calculating the optimized drill rotation speed based on the mast angle, and hoisting the drilling implement at the optimized hoisting speed if desired, or rotating the drill at the optimized drill rotation speed if desired.

Abstract: A pipe loading system for a blast hole drilling rig. The blast hole drilling rig includes a drilling platform, a drill tower supported on the drilling platform, a drill motor supported at an upper end of the drill tower, operatively coupled to a drilling head configured to selectively engage with and rotate a drill pipe, and a pipe loader pivotably supported on the drilling platform and configured to selectively index a drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe during a drilling tool change-out operation. The pipe loader includes a pipe support pod at a lower end and a pipe holding clamp at an upper end. Sensors detect a presence of the drilling tool in the pipe holder, an interconnection between the drilling head and the drill pipe, and a state of the pipe holding clamp. The pipe loading system closes the pipe holding clamp when the drilling tool is in the pipe loader and the pipe holding clamp is not in a closed position.

Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of a cutter motor and a cutter boom movement mechanism of a machine includes a sensor that measures an amount of load associated with the cutter motor. A controller determines whether the load on the cutter motor is different from a cutter motor load limit. If so, the controller is configured to adjust a velocity of the cutter boom movement mechanism relative to a tip velocity of a rotary cutting tool associated with the machine based on the difference between the measured cutter motor load and the cutter motor load limit until a torque error of the cutter motor reaches a particular value, for instance, zero. Moreover, the controller may also adjust a current speed of the cutter motor in driving the rotary cutting tool based on the adjusted velocity of the cutter boom movement mechanism.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gearbox of a transmission system includes an outlet line that is configured to allow an egress of oil from the gearbox. The lubrication system also includes a scavenging pump that is fluidly coupled with the outlet line and configured to draw oil from the gearbox via the outlet line. The lubrication system further includes a pressure sensor that is disposed in the outlet line and located upstream of the scavenging pump. The pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure of fluid entering the scavenging pump. The lubrication system further includes a controller that is communicably coupled to the pressure sensor and the scavenging pump. The controller is configured to vary a displacement of fluid from the scavenging pump based on a comparison of the pressure of fluid entering the scavenging pump as measured by the pressure sensor with at least one pre-determined threshold value.