Abstract: A continuous highwall mining machine (10) includes a frame (12) and a ground engaging loading shovel (32) that is mounted to extend forwardly from the frame. A cutter (16) for winning aggregate material is mounted to the frame (12) so as to extend above and forwardly of the loading shovel (32). An armless conveyor system (40) conveys aggregate material won from the mineral seam. The armless conveyor system includes twin chains having a forked section (44) at the forwardmost end carried on the loading shovel (32) and an uninterrupted humpless and dipless path extending rearwardly to a discharge end.

Abstract: An arrangement for unloading bulk material (1a) from holds (2a-2e) in a transport vessel (1), comprising a belt conveyor (3a, 3b, 3t) extending in the longitudinal direction of the ship close to the bottom (9) thereof, the belt conveyor supporting inclined, downwardly extending guiding plates (8) on each side of the conveyor (3a, 3b), a scraper unit (10) in each hold (2a, 2e) bringing bulk material (1a) to the area of the belt conveyor (3a, 3b, 3t), and lifting devices (5a, 5b) co-operating with the belt conveyor (3a, 3b, 3t) for lifting the material to a common outfeed device for bringing the material ashore. The belt conveyor (3a, 3b) is arranged between vertical supports (6) which support inclined, downwardly extending guiding plates (8) on each side of the conveyor (3a, 3 b). The scraper unit (10) comprises a bent lower portion (10a, 10b) corresponding substantially to the shape of the guiding plates (8) and the adjoining ship bottom portion (9).

Abstract: A recovery apparatus having a frame adapted for earth traversing movement along an elongated sheet bearing a crop to recover the crop; a first conveyor mounted on the frame for receiving the sheet and conveying the sheet therealong; a second conveyor mounted on the frame for overlaying the sheet and the crop borne thereby on the first conveyor and moving in a complementary direction to the first conveyor; finger members mounted on the second conveyor to maintain space between the second conveyor and the crop borne by said sheet to feed the sheet and the crop borne thereby along the first conveyor without damage to the crop; a vacuum system borne by the frame for removing extraneous material from the crop; and a mechanism for separating the crop from the sheet.

Abstract: In a chain conveyor (6) for loading devices and/or conveying devices, in which engaging pieces (10) are swivelably linked to a chain (9), noting that the engaging pieces (10) are linked to the chains approximately at their longitudinal center and the chain (9) moves along a path closed in itself, the engaging pieces (10) are at their arms (14) facing the inner side of the orbital path of the chain (9) articulatedly linked to a respective guide rod (15), said guide rod (15) being articulatedly linked with the chain (9) for lagging in direction of movement of the chains. In this case, the chain (9) is preferably guided within a recess or groove (18) of the sliding surface of the engaging pieces (10), said recess or groove corresponding to the orbital path.

Abstract: A conveyor drive transmission for a secondary conveyor system is disclosed. The secondary conveyor system is designed to feed material cut by a mining machine onto a primary conveyor which would convey mine material to the rear of the machine for discharge. The secondary conveyor has a foot shaft adjacent and parallel to one side of the primary conveyor. The transmission for the secondary conveyor includes an input drive shaft aligned with and driven by a transverse shaft on the primary conveyor. A helical worm drive gear mounted on and driven by the input drive shaft is included to engage and drive a worm wheel. The worm wheel then drives a helical worm gear mounted on a shaft in the same plane as the input drive shaft. A set of bevel gears mounted on the same shaft as the helical worm driven gear drives the worm shaft of the secondary conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming and emptying bulk material in a cargo room (2) comprises two rake devices (18, 19) which at one end are connected to the lower end of a cargo lifter in the form of a vertical conveyor (16). The cargo lifter is suspended in a housing (9) which is movable transversely of the longitudinal direction of the ship on a chassis (8), which in turn is drivable on rails (4) along the top of the hatch coamings (22) of the ship. The cargo lifter feeds a transverse conveyor (12) on the chassis (8), which conveyor in turn feeds a conveyor (5) running in the longitudinal direction of the ship. The rakes (18, 19) are pivotable in the vertical plane and may be pivoted about a vertical axis, preferably together with the cargo lifter (16). When moving the apparatus from one cargo room to another or to parking position, the cargo lifter and the rakes are raised up into a telescoping extension (14) of the housing (9).

Abstract: A load conveyor for a cutting machine comprises two outer, endless chains, and an endless further chain positioned between the two outer chains. Each of the chains carries scrapers. All of the chains are driven, via a common drive drum, by a drive station. The scrapers of adjacent chains interdigitate in the manner of the teeth of a zip fastener, at least in the zone of the drive station.

Abstract: A spirally wrapped, round bale transporter and feeder comprising a support frame having first and second ends and including a pair of bale-supporting members; an assembly for coupling the frame to a wheeled vehicle; a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame; a power assembly for raising and lowering the frame relative to the wheels to load bales onto the frame and unload bales from the frame; and a feeding assembly at the second end of the frame for spirally unwrapping and feeding bales transversely of the frame onto the ground. The wheels are pivotally coupled to the frame substantially centrally thereof. The feeding assembly comprises a pair of endless conveyors having bale-gripping fingers and being pivotally coupled to the frame and movable between a stowed position outboard of the bale-supporting members and a feeding position inboard of these members.

Abstract: Apparatus for progressively removing bulk material from a dump or stockpile having a generally trapezoidal cross-section includes a gantry having a bridging girder extending between a pair of upright end supports. At least one of the supports is movable along a track extending alongside or around the base of the dump or pile. The gantry supports scraper means for scraping material from the top of the pile, and the scraper means together with the girder can be jointly raised or lowered between the upright end supports. Each upright end support includes guide means which laterally retain the girder perpendicular to its longitudinal axis while permitting free vertical movement of the girder.