Abstract: A loading arm assembly for directing material removed by a mining machining having a cutting head and a conveyor assembly includes one or more wear resistant plate assemblies at a terminal end of the loading arm. The wear resistant plate assembly includes a wear resistant plate arranged on a surface of arms of the loading arm assembly designed for directing the material to the conveyor. The assembly also has wear resistant inserts along a bottom surface of at least the arm end to protect the bottom surface of the arm from wear as well as the attachment of the wear resistant plate to the arm end.

Abstract: A continuous miner has a number of specially located water sprays to form a curtain of water spray across at least a portion of the miner width and behind the cutting assembly of the miner to suppress dust that would otherwise be directed to the operator of the miner and cause the miner operation to be out of compliance with safety regulations.

Abstract: A loading arm assembly for directing material removed by a mining machining having a cutting head and a conveyor assembly includes one or more wear resistant plate assemblies at a terminal end of the loading arm. The wear resistant plate assembly includes a wear resistant plate arranged on a surface of arms of the loading arm assembly designed for directing the material to the conveyor. The assembly also has wear resistant inserts along a bottom surface of at least the arm end to protect the bottom surface of the arm from wear as well as the attachment of the wear resistant plate to the arm end.

Abstract: A water spray assembly especially adapted for control of dust suppression in mining machines has a manifold with one or a number of nozzles mounted thereon. The manifold provides communication between the nozzles and a manifold inlet, the manifold inlet being adapted to connect to a supply of water. The manifold with one half of a quick connect coupling cooperates with a nozzle block having a bore sized to receive at least a portion of the manifold and the other half of the quick connect coupling. The use of quick connect coupling half with the block allows easy removal and insertion of the manifold.

Abstract: A water spray assembly especially adapted for control of dust suppression in mining machines has a manifold with one or a number of nozzles mounted thereon. The manifold provides communication between the nozzles and a manifold inlet, the manifold inlet being adapted to connect to a supply of water. The manifold with one half of a quick connect coupling cooperates with a nozzle block having a bore sized to receive at least a portion of the manifold and the other half of the quick connect coupling. The use of quick connect coupling half with the block allows easy removal and insertion of the manifold.

Abstract: A water spray assembly especially adapted for control of dust suppression in mining machines has a manifold with one or a number of nozzles mounted thereon. The manifold provides communication between the nozzles and a manifold inlet, the manifold inlet being adapted to connect to a supply of water. The manifold cooperates with a nozzle block having a bore sized to receive at least a portion of the manifold. The block is adapted to be mounted for aiming the nozzles in a particular direction. By having the block sized to receive the manifold, the manifold being removable from the bore to facilitate replacing or cleaning the nozzles.

Abstract: A water spray assembly especially adapted for control of dust suppression in mining machines has a manifold with one or a number of nozzles mounted thereon. The manifold provides communication between the nozzles and a manifold inlet, the manifold inlet being adapted to connect to a supply of water. The manifold cooperates with a nozzle block having a bore sized to receive at least a portion of the manifold. The block is adapted to be mounted for aiming the nozzles in a particular direction. By having the block sized to receive the manifold, the manifold being removable from the bore to facilitate replacing or cleaning the nozzles.

Abstract: A cutter drum has a sump ring and a plurality of vanes, the exterior surfaces of the sump ring and vanes being substantially smooth. The vanes and sump ring contain holes for receiving cutting bits for cutting material to be mined, the cutting bits being removably mounted in the holes. Retaining blocks are removably mounted in the vanes or sump ring for engaging a base portion of the cutting bit and retaining the cutting bit in the cutting drum.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a fixed holder and an orientable holder. The fixed holder is mounted to a cutting drum, and the orientable holder receives a cutting bit which may either be a forward attack bit or a conical bit. Orientation of the bit is accomplished by alignment of the orientable holder with respect to the fixed holder and by alignment of the bit with respect to the orientable holder. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed holder includes a block and liner, and the liner may assume either of two positions with respect to the block. The orientable holder includes passages and grooves for allowing a spray jet and hose to be received in the orientable holder to spray liquid on the cutting bit. The cutting surface of the bit includes two separate cutting tips, and the bit may be oriented to engage either tip with the material to be cut.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a fixed holder and an orientable holder. The fixed holder is mounted to a cutting drum, and the orientable holder receives a cutting bit which may either be a forward attack bit or a conical bit. Orientation of the bit is accomplished by alignment of the orientable holder with respect to the fixed holder and by alignment of the bit with respect to the orientable holder. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed holder includes a block and liner, and the liner may assume either of two positions with respect to the block. The orientable holder includes passages and grooves for allowing a spray jet and hose to be received in the orientable holder to spray liquid on the cutting bit. The cutting surface of the bit includes two separate cutting tips, and the bit may be oriented to engage either tip with the material to be cut.