Abstract: A longitudinally extending conveyor discharge section is connected for horizontal and vertical pivotal movement on a frame of a mining machine. A pair of service shoes is connected at one end to the machine frame below the conveyor support frame for pivotal movement into and out of contact with the mine floor. A pair of double acting piston cylinder assemblies is connected at opposite ends to the conveyor discharge section and the service shoes. The conveyor discharge section and the service shoes are removably pinned to the machine frame. The pins for the conveyor discharge section are removed when it is desired to elevate the conveyor by actuation of the cylinder assemblies in a first mode. To perform maintenance operations on the mining machines, the machine frame is elevated by lowering the service shoes to engage the mine floor. The conveyor is lowered and pinned to the frame.

Abstract: A boom mounted cutter drum assembly of a continuous mining machine includes an intermediate drum section and a pair of end drum sections. Spray nozzles on the cutting elements of the cutter drum assembly direct liquid spray at the mine face as mine material is dislodged to suppress dust and frictional ignition. Liquid for the spray nozzles is supplied on the mining machine through a stationary housing positioned between the intermediate drum section and the end drum sections. Water is conveyed through ports in the housing to a rotary seal assembly having stationary and rotating components. The ports are sealed by O-rings which communicate with passageways that divert liquid leakage at the rotary seal assembly away from the gearcase. The rotary seal assembly is surrounded by lip seals in the gearcase to separate the liquid passageways to the spray nozzles from the lubricant supplied to the gearcase.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine includes a body portion. A longitudinally extending conveyor support frame is positioned on the body portion. A pair of parallel spaced side walls are positioned outboard of the conveyor support frame. A unitary stabilizing member is pivotally connected at an upper end to the lower edge portions of the side walls and extends transversely between the side walls beyond the width of and below the conveyor support frame. A lower end of the stabilizing member is adapted for movement into and out of engagement with the mine floor. A pair of piston cylinder assemblies for actuating the stabilizing member are connected to and positioned outboard and laterally of the side walls. The piston rods of the assemblies are intermediately connected to the lateral edges of the stabilizing member.

Abstract: A gathering platform extends forwardly from the front end of a mixing machine and has an upper surface in which a pair of counter-rotating gathering discs are rotatably mounted. Each disc is rotated to move mined material centrally and rearwardly on the platform upper surface toward a material guide that extends rearwardly in overlying relation with a portion of each of the gathering discs to the receiving end of a longitudinally extending conveyor. A plurality of radially extending slots extend through each disc, and a material gathering arm is positioned in each slot. One end of each arm is connected to rotate with the gathering disc. The opposite end of the arm rides on a cam surface in the gathering platform. The cam surface has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is positioned at an elevation below the first portion and beneath the material guide.