Abstract: A system including a platform, a drill connected to the platform, a power source, a cable connected to a cable reel and the drill, and a stinger. The stinger is configured to guide a position of the cable, relative to the platform, as the cable moves relative to the platform and relative to the stinger. An actuator is connected to the stinger and operable to move the stinger relative to the platform. A sensor is disposed to sense a physical parameter of at least one of the platform, the drill, the power source, the cable, and the stinger. A computer system is programmed to convert the physical parameter into a vector data structure and input the vector data structure to a classification machine learning model, which outputs a classification for the physical parameter. A control system is configured to control the actuator to move the stinger based on the classification.

Abstract: A crowd control mechanism for a power shovel includes an extendible dipper handle having an extended position and a retracted position. A double acting hydraulic cylinder having a an extendible ram has one of the cylinder and the ram fixed to the dipper handle and the other of the cylinder and the ram is stationary relative to the dipper handle. At least one of the cylinder and the ram have at least one of a blind end port and a rod end port, and at least one of the cylinder and the ram have the other of the blind end port and the rod end port, wherein hydraulic fluid flowing into the cylinder through the blind end port urges the ram toward an extended position to extend the dipper handle, and hydraulic fluid flowing into the rod end port urges the ram toward a retracted position to retract the dipper handle. Hydraulic fluid flowing into and out of the cylinder is controlled by one or more pilot operated poppet valves.