Abstract: A mineral mining machine of the type having a boom-mounted cutter assembly carried by a mobile base unit is provided with a face support structure which is pivotally mounted on the boom. Fluid operable rams are provided for moving the structure between a stowed position lying adjacent the boom and an operational face supporting position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom. The face support structure is brought into operation when it is desired to afford temporary support to a face of a ripping lip for example, in arch setting operations. In this latter respect, the boom also carries a stowable platform which can be opened out so that operatives may position themselves to handle arch sections which are elevated into position by a lifting mechanism also pivotally mounted on the boom.

Abstract: A cutting machine has at each side of a universally pivotable cutter boom a cutting head which is rotatably supported around an axis extending vertically to the longitudinal direction of the cutter boom and which is advanced in direction of its axis when the cutter boom is pivoted. The cutting heads are propelled by a drive unit via a reduction gearing arranged within the cutter boom, the last stage of the reduction gearing being arranged within cutting heads which are hollow.

Abstract: A self-propelled body portion is provided with a forwardly extending boom member pivotally secured thereto. The boom member includes a pair of parallel forwardly extending arm members that are pivotally secured to the body portion. A pair of parallel support members are movably secured to and extend laterally from the respective arm members. A drum member having cutting elements thereon is rotatably supported at the forward end portion of the support members. A pair of piston cylinder assemblies are secured to the respective arm members and each includes an extensible piston rod secured to a support member. The piston cylinder assemblies are connected by fluid conduits to a hydraulic valve member. A selected one of the drum member end portions may be moved laterally relative to the respective side edge of the gathering device by introducing fluid under pressure from the valve member into the piston cylinder assembly adjacent that side of the mining machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for guying a movable cutting machine equipped with a caterpillar drive and for moving the machine on ascending galleries has at both sides of the cutting machine tension members formed of chains or ropes and led over winches. The tension members are adapted to be fixed on both sides of the cutting machine, with the forward ends and the rearward ends of the tension members being adapted to be fixed at stationary locations of the gallery, preferably by means of rock anchors.

Abstract: An excavating and loading system is disclosed which includes a vehicle with an excavating wheel assembly at the front and a plurality of conveyors toward the rear. The excavating wheel assembly comprises three excavating wheels having an overall width in excess of that of the remainder of the system. Each excavating wheel includes a plurality of digging buckets each comprising a wall supported for pivotal movement between a material receiving position and a material dumping position. The excavating wheel assembly is supported for vertical movement to vary the grade angle of the excavation made by the system, and a moldboard is linked to the excavating wheel assembly for movement therewith. Hydraulic cylinders may be utilized to vary the wheel assembly support provided by the moldboard in accordance with the material being excavated. The conveyors of the excavating and loading system include cross conveyors and a main conveyor for receiving material from the excavating wheels.

Abstract: A dividing cutting machine includes a cutter boom pivotable about a horizontal axis, at least one cutter head disposed on the cutter boom, a loader deck hingedly connected to the frame of the dividing cutting machine pivotable about a horizontal axis and provided with movable gathering arms for continuously sweeping the mined material upwardly over the loader deck to conveying means. Stops mounted on the cutter boom and on the loader deck at locations spaced from their respective horizontal pivot axes have a height which precludes physical contact between the cutter boom and the gathering arms in each mutual pivotal position.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed which is for use in mining or tunnelling work and employs a beam or arm supporting cutting means and connected through a support structure to a turntable carried by a movable chassis. The turntable is adjustably rotatable about a vertical axis and one or more piston and cylinder units are provided to raise or lower the arm in relation to the support structure. This structure is itself adjustably pivotable in relation to the turntable about a further axis which is generally aligned with the horizontal forward position of the arm i.e. in the direction of advancement of the mining or tunnelling work. In addition part of the structure connected to the arm is also displaceable along this further axis so that the cutting means located at the free end of the arm can be adjusted in respect of a variety of directions. The cutting means is itself composed of cutter rollers driven to rotate about an axis extending laterally of the arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to gathering arms for a mining machine to operate in conjunction with a forwardly extending apron to sweep mined material across the apron where it can be transferred by a conveyor to the rear of the machine. Although a single gathering arm is envisaged, preferably two are provided which are hydraulically operated by means of two pairs of piston and cylinder devices arranged to extend and retract the arms and sweep them between inboard and outboard positions after the style of extendable windscreen wiper blades, the arms being extended during a work sweep and retracted during a return sweep. The invention also extends to a hydraulic circuit for operating the arms largely automatically in synchronism and to a mining machine fitted with such arms.

Abstract: A mining machine suitable for cutting roadways in coalmines comprises a cutting head, a conveyor for moving mined material rearwardly of the machine and a discharge conveyor for unloading the mined material to one side of the machine. As the machine advances the discharge conveyor can be used selectively to unload coal onto a stage loader and other material into packholes, thereby saving labor. The discharge conveyor may be pivotable about horizontal and/or vertical axes, longitudinally extendable or movable relative to the machine or cutting head to obtain maximum control over the area in which it discharges material.

Abstract: The range of movement by a winning tool of a tunneling machine is controlled to release material from a heading wall to form a tunnel having a desired profile. The tunneling machine carries gyroscope detectors and a detector for a laser beam which is projected along a desired tunnel heading. Such detectors provide electrical signals corresponding to a position change of the tunneling machine. Position transducers, coupled with counters, provide electrical signals corresponding to perpendicular position coordinates of the winning tool with respect to the tunneling machine. Means, including a computer, receive these electrical signals and continuously compute a limit coordinate signal based on a desired tunnel profile provided by a computer program.

Abstract: This invention relates to excavating apparatus for use in the mining of bituminous sands, oil shale or other friable mineral deposits, and particularly adaptable for use in the "Fixed Arch Shield" mining technique. The excavating apparatus of the invention comprises a supporting framework having at least one excavator carrying member; guide means associated with that member; excavator support means constrained by the guide means for movement longitudinally of the member; means such as a hydraulic ram, for affecting movement of the support within the guide means; arm means pivotally mounted at an end thereof to the support means, and independent drive motors to affect rotation of the arm about its pivot and the ore cutting device respectively.

Abstract: A machine for excavating underground galleries, comprising a frame displaceable within a gallery, an arm pivotally connected to said frame, means for adjusting the orientation of said arm in a plurality of directions, said arm having a rotary tool carrier provided with cutting tools distributed over the periphery thereof located to operate in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the arm, the machine having means enabling the pivotal connection between the arm and the frame to occupy two distinct alternative positions, in each of which positions the means supporting said pivotal connection can be immobilized.

Abstract: A support displaceable along a tunnel or gallery floor by means of a caterpillar drive is provided with a rotatable milling tool that can be brought into engagement with a lower portion of a face wall and with a reciprocal hammer engageable with an upper portion of the wall. The miller is operated to cut or grind material off the lower portion so as to undercut the wall. Then the hammer is operated to chip or break off the upper portion of the undercut wall. Both the miller and hammer are mounted on adjustable and directable arms. The loosened rock is carried off by a scoop-transport belt arrangement.

Abstract: The coal mining combine has a crawler carriage with a driving mechanism supporting a bed plate with a turntable on which an arrow-like actuator with a motor for rotating it and a bit are hinged. The hollow body of the actuator contains a built-in monitor. Hydraulic cylinders which are used for moving the actuator and the monitor's barrel are provided. Manifolds are used for supplying water to the monitor and to the actuator. In accordance with the invention, a channel is made in the supporting bed plate. This channel is a hydraulic shock acceleration tubing whose sections are located one above another in at least two rows. A pneumohydraulic accumulator communicating with the water supply source is connected to the channel's inlet, while an oscillator, included in the network for supplying water to the monitor, is connected to the channel's outlet.

Abstract: An ensilage loader for removing ensilage from a body of ensilage, as in a trench silo, stack or other storage and discharging same into a receiver, such as a feed mixer or the like, is mounted on a mobile frame and includes an ensilage receiver adjacent one end of the frame to receive ensilage removed from the face of the ensilage body and having operative members to move same into a conveyor or elevator for delivery thereof to a feed mixer or the like. The ensilage loader includes a digger mounted on a boom having one end mounted on the frame and arranged with power members in a manner for selective raising and lowering of the digger, extension and contraction of the boom with lateral movement relative to the ensilage receiver. The loader includes controls whereby the digger cuts into a face of the ensilage body leaving a substantially vertical face without an overhang and moves the ensilage into the ensilage receiver.