Abstract: A loading and conveying machine has crawler treads and a frame extending forwardly thereof. A conveyor extends from the front to the rear of the machine. An apron is pivotally mounted at the front of the frame and receives material from a loading implement and deposits it onto the conveyor. The front end of the conveyor is pivotally mounted to the apron and arcuately moves about the apron pivot axis when the apron is raised or lowered. The axis of apron-conveyor pivotal mount is removed from the center of rotation of the front end of the conveyor and spaced rearwardly and downwardly therefrom. The distance between the rear apron edge and the axis of apron-conveyor pivotal mount is greater than the distance between the said edge and the center of rotation of the front end of the conveyor. The axis of apron-conveyor pivotal mount is disposed in a transverse vertical plane which is positioned between the rear apron edge and the center of rotation of the front end return portion of the conveyor.

Abstract: A loading and conveying machine has crawler treads and a frame extending forwardly thereof. A conveyor extends from the front to the rear of the machine. An apron is pivotally mounted at the front of the frame and receives material from a loading implement and deposits it onto the conveyor. The front end of the conveyor is pivotally mounted to the apron and arcuately moves about the apron pivot axis when the apron is raised or lowered. The joined conveyor and apron may also be adjusted together by vertically moving the apron pivot axis. The midsection of the conveyor is articulated so that the conveyor framework is separated into front and rear segments which are independently movable relative to each other and to the machine frame.