Abstract: A mining machine such as a mining shovel includes a digging assembly having an upward extending boom and a dipper assembly generally horizontally supported by the boom and configured to crowd toward and retract from a vertical bank at a mine site. To determine if the dipper assembly strikes the bank, an electronic controller can calculate a calculated crowd force based in part on a crowd motor torque associated with a crowd motor, a crowd speed of the dipper assembly, and an inertia parameter. If the calculated crowd force exceeds a predetermined first crowd threshold, the electronic controller can register an impact event. In further aspects, the electronic controller can execute a force modification function to modify the crowding forces and a speed reduction function to reduce the crowd speed.

Abstract: A mining machine such as a mining shovel includes a digging assembly having an upward extending boom and a dipper assembly with a dipper that is generally horizontally supported by the boom. A hoist system including hoist ropes attached to the dipper may be used to vertically pivot the dipper assembly with respect to the boom. To determine if the hoist ropes are properly supporting the weight of the dipper assembly, an electronic controller can calculate a calculated hoist force based on a hoist speed associated with the hoist ropes and a hoist motor torque from a hoist motor. If the calculated hoist force indicates that slack exists in the hoist ropes, the electronic controller can execute a slack reduction function to increase tension in the hoist ropes attached to the dipper.

Abstract: A mining machine such as a mining shovel includes a digging assembly having an upward extending boom and a dipper arm generally horizontally supported by the boom. The dipper assembly includes a dipper disposed at one end of a dipper arm that can slide in translation with respect to the boom to crowd toward or retract from a vertical bank at the mining site. To translate the dipper assembly, the mining machine includes a crowd system having a crowd motor and a crowd actuator. An electronic controller receives the crowd motor torque, a crowd speed of the dipper assembly, and an inertia parameter associated with the dipper assembly. The electronic controller can determine an approximate location of the dipper with respect to the bank and, in a further aspect, can execute an anti-swing function if the dipper is in the bank.

Abstract: A mining machine such as a mining shovel includes a digging assembly having an upward extending boom and a dipper assembly generally horizontally supported by the boom and configured to crowd toward and retract from a vertical bank at a mine site. To determine if the dipper assembly strikes the bank, an electronic controller can calculate a calculated crowd force based in part on a crowd motor torque associated with a crowd motor, a crowd speed of the dipper assembly, and an inertia parameter. If the calculated crowd force exceeds a predetermined first crowd threshold, the electronic controller can register an impact event. In further aspects, the electronic controller can execute a force modification function to modify the crowding forces and a speed reduction function to reduce the crowd speed.