Abstract: A drill rod assembly for use in rotary drilling in a mine roof includes a plurality of releasably engageable drill rod members connected in end to end relation. One end of the assembly receives a cutting bit and the opposite end is drivingly connected to a drill chuck of a drill head. Each drill rod member includes a shank end portion, a socket end portion and a body portion extending between the shank end portion and the socket end portion. The shank end portion of each drill rod member is releasably engageable in the socket end portion of an adjacent drill rod member. The length of the drill rod assembly is progressively expanded to the length required for drilling a bore hole of a preselected depth into a mine roof. The shank end portion of each drill rod member is twisted in a helical pattern forming a plurality of helical faces around the axis of the shank end portion. The socket end portion of each drill rod member has an internal bore formed by a plurality of helical faces.

Abstract: A drill housing is pivotally connected to the forward end portion of a boom member that swings upwardly from a frame of a mobile drilling machine. A hydraulic motor is secured to the gear housing and provides rotary power from a drive shaft through a pair of meshing gears to a drill chuck that is arranged to receive a drill bit or a roof bolt. A percussion weight is concentrically positioned within the drill housing and is axially aligned with the drill bit for imparting percussive forces to the drill bit. The percussion control is maintained through a servovalve that is supported on the drill housing and is controlled remotely by an electronic control module. The servovalve controls the flow of pressurized fluid from a source through ports in the drill housing connected to the servovalve by conduits to actuate a piston member for oscillation within the drill housing. Oscillation of the piston imparts a percussive force upon the percussion weight which is transmitted to the drill bit.

Abstract: Apparatus for the handling of dislodged particulate material within a mine includes a base member having ground traction means with a body member supported on the base member. Vertical side plates on opposed sides of the body member secured thereto define a longitudinal material receiving bin. An endless main conveyor located within the material receiving bin has a receiving end and a discharge end. The receiving end when used as a surge hopper is adapted to continuously receive material dislodged from an adjacent continuous mining machine. A delivery conveyor receives material from the discharge end of the main conveyor and discharges it into other conveying means such as a shuttle car or an endless belt conveyor. A portion of the main conveyor positioned adjacent the discharge end thereof moves or pivots upwardly about a transverse horizontal axis and thereby assumes a position for maximum discharge of the material.