Abstract: A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine having a frame includes a boom and a cutting device supported on the boom. The boom includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion supported for pivotable movement relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the first portion includes a first structure extending along a longitudinal base axis and a second structure moveable relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal base axis, and at least one bearing supports the second portion for movement relative to the first portion. In some embodiments, the second portion is pivotably coupled to the first portion by a universal joint, and a suspension system including a plurality of biasing members may be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A cutting head for hard rock mining applications is disclosed. The cutting head may have a base member. The base member may have a rotational axis and may include a center bore extending along the rotational axis. The cutting head may also have a drive bushing disposed within the center bore. The drive bushing may be configured to transmit torque from a driving device to the base member. The cutting may further have a plurality of annular tool supports. Each of the plurality of annular tool supports may be concentrically disposed about the rotational axis in a releasable manner. In addition, the cutting head may have a plurality of cutting bit carriers attached to each of the plurality of annular tool supports. Each of the plurality of cutting bit carriers may be configured to rotatably support a cutting bit.

Abstract: A core cutting assembly is disclosed for use with a continuous mining machine having a milling drum. The core cutting assembly may have a drive mechanism configured to rotate about a first axis of the milling drum. The core cutting assembly may also have at least one rotary cutting bit powered by the drive mechanism to rotate about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-propelled surface milling machine, preferably in the form of an asphalt-milling machine, snow-milling machine or Surface Miner, having a mill roll which is drivable about a rotational axis, and a mill roll drive comprising an electrical motor which is accommodated within the mill roll, wherein stator and rotor of the electrical motor are accommodated within a dust and air-tightly sealed motor housing. It will be suggested to associate a cooling device comprising a closed circuit liquid cooling system to the electrical motor located within the milling roll body. Due to the high heat capacity of a suitable coolant, such as oil or mixed water and glycol small volume flows and hence small conduit cross sections will be sufficient. On the other hand, any incorporation of dust into the mill-roll drive as well as any formation of dust by discharge air can be avoided by the closed form of the circuit liquid cooling system.

Abstract: A method for driving tunnels, galleries, shafts or the like with a driving device (1; 2; 15), including: that a cutting head (4) rotating around a general axis of rotation (R) and having cutting elements directed essentially radially outwardly is applied against a rock surface to be worked. The rock cutting elements (13), are formed on cutting rolls (7) are brought to roll against the rock side during pressing against the rock and rotation of the cutting head (4), and the rock cutting elements during rolling are brought to cut sidewardly arranged grooves in the rock surface at a distance from each other. The invention also concerns a rotatable cutting head and a device and a rig for driving tunnels, galleries, shafts or the like.

Abstract: A continuous miner includes a mining portion, a support frame connected to the mining portion, and a discharge portion pivotally attached to the support frame. The discharge portion swings laterally relative to the support frame about a pivot axis. The continuous miner also includes a conveyor extending across the support frame and discharge portion. The conveyor moves mined material from the mining portion to the discharge portion. The conveyor includes a conveyor chain, a rear roller, and a front roller. The continuous miner also includes a conveyor drive system for driving the conveyor chain. The conveyor drive system is located on a bottom surface of the continuous miner and between the rear roller and the front roller.

Abstract: A rotary cutter drum for a continuous mining machine having a cutter drum, a bearing hub, an inner bearing, a sealing assembly and a shaft disposed in an inner portion of the cutter drum, the shaft having at least one flat passageway disposed along a longitudinal axis of the hub for allowing a lubricating fluid to move from an oil reservoir to a bearing surface.

Abstract: A pair of semi-cylindrical segments adapted to be connected to form a center drum of a cutter head of a mining machine. The split line between the semi-cylindrical segments is not continuous, but lies on more than one plane.

Abstract: A coal cutter drum assembly includes a cutter drum having an inner diameter and mounted for rotation about a cutter drum shaft, along with multiple bit retainers secured to an external surface of the cutter drum, each retainer receiving a cutting bit. The coal cutter drum assembly further includes first and second bit and bearing retainer subassemblies, each of which is joined to the cutter drum and further joined to a sprocket that is used to rotate the cutter drum. A bearing supporting the cutter drum is positioned in each of the first and second bit and bearing retainer subassemblies, and each bearing has an outer diameter that exceeds the inner diameter of the cutter drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for mining a mineral seam, comprising a motor, and a cutting drum carried on the frame for winning aggregate material from the mineral seam. The cutting drum encloses the motor, and a gear case drivingly connected between the motor and the cutting drum transmits power from the motor to the cutting drum. The gear case is also enclosed within the cutting drum.

Abstract: In a heading machine (1, 24) with at least one cutting unit with a rotatably mounted tool holder (10, 39) with disc tools (11, 12, 40, 41), which tool holder is connected in a pivotable manner to the machine frame, the heading machine (1, 24) has a running gear, in particular a crawler track (2), the tool holder (10, 39) is mounted rotatably on an arm (6, 26), which can be pivoted in the vertical direction and the rotational axis (9) of the tool holder (10, 39) runs transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm (6, 26).

Abstract: In a method for mining underground deposits using a mining machine, wherein an upper and a lower drift are driven, which extend on both sides of the deposit to be mined, and a preliminary bore is sunk between the two drifts, a supporting device is fixed at the mouth of the preliminary bore in the upper drift. A mining machine supported on the supporting device is positioned at the mouth of the preliminary bore so as to be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the preliminary bore, and the mining machine is advanced from the upper drift to the lower drift corresponding to the course of the preliminary bore.

Abstract: A rock cutting machine including a boom rotatably mounted at a proximal end to a chassis adapted to be placed adjacent a rock face to be cut. The boom extends from the chassis to a distal end adjacent the rock face. A longitudinal boom axis extends between the proximal and the distal ends of the boom and a cutting device is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis adjacent the distal end of the boom. The pivot axis enables wrist movement about the pivot axis by a drive mechanism and is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cutting device.

Abstract: A rotatable implement depth control apparatus consisting of a mounting plate having an upper end, a lower end, a forward face, a rearward face, a right side, a left side, and a lateral axis extending from the right side to the left side, the mounting plate being rotatable about the lateral axis; a rollable trolley, the rollable trolley having a forward end, a rearward end, a right side, and a left side; a rotatable implement carrying frame having a forward end, a rearward end, a right side, and a left side, the forward end of the rotatable implement carrying frame being pivotally attached to the rollable trolley; a rotatable implement having a right side, a left side, and having an axis of rotation extending from the right side to the left side, the rotatable implement being rotatably mounted within the rotatable implement carrying frame; and, a plurality of arms for transferring rotational motion of the mounting plate about the lateral axis to pivotal motion of the frame about the pivotal attachment to the r

Abstract: A mining machine that has a chassis that defines an operator area thereon and has a mining assembly attached thereto. A vertically extending shield assembly is supported on the chassis to prevent material that is dislodged during the mining process from inadvertently entering the operator area. The shield assembly may be selectively vertically extendable and may be equipped with a ventilation duct assembly to withdraw dust and gases away from the operator area. The mining machine may be equipped with a mining assembly that extends the entire width of the chassis and that can be advanced forwardly of the chassis and swung down across the seam face during mining. The present invention may also be equipped with a quick disconnect assembly for detachably mounting the mining assembly or other mining implement to the mining machine.

Abstract: A method of excavating an underground continuous ditch by rotating a chain type cutter 4 while pressing the cutter horizontally against the ground A, with the cutter positioned underground. According to this method, when a lower ground portion is left unexcavated due to a deficiency in traversing force at the lower portion of the cutter particularly during excavation at a large depth, the rotating direction of the cutter 4 is changed from a rake-up direction in normal excavation to a rake-down direction and excavation is performed while the cutter is moved vertically, to excavate the lower ground portion (A1) left unexcavated.

Abstract: A method of highwall mining, the method includes providing a continuous miner (11) connected to a car train (12) extending to a launch vehicle (13). As the miner (11) progresses down an inclined mine tunnel (15) additional cars are added to the train (12) at the launch vehicle (13). The launch (13) applies a force to the end car so that the car adjacent the mine (11) provides a reaction force for the miner (11).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mining a mineral seam. The apparatus includes a frame, a propulsion system as well as first and second cutters and a cutter motor for winning aggregate material from the mineral seam. The apparatus is characterized by the cutter including a transmission gearcase having a bevel gear set, first and second sun gears, first and second planetary gear sets, first and second fixed planetary gear set carriers and first and second rotating ring gears. The output from the drive motor is connected to the bevel gear set which in turn drives the first and second sun gears which in turn drive the respective first and second planetary gear sets that in turn drive the first and second ring gears. The ring gears drive the first and second cutters, respectively.

Abstract: Rotary disk saw is adapted to be mounted on an earth excavator or the like, having an articulating and rotatable member for a boom. To this excavating boom, which normally carries a shovel, the saw carrying unit is attached and includes a compound pivot means adapted for orthogonal and transverse rotation about the bucket, the same carrying a saw carrying boom and a carriage which travels up and down the boom, hydraulically driven, to locate a sub-carriage which transversely locates a rotary disk saw. By a relative rotating of compound pivot means and the boom and by locating the carriage and sub-carriage, as required, the saw may be positioned onto a working piece which is to be cut. Such devices are especially suitable for demolition of highway bridges and the like.

Abstract: An improved excavating machine for digging an unusually wide ditch having a boom that supports a plurality of chain type digging apparatus. There is a head shaft at one end of the boom and a tail shaft at the opposed end of the boom. An intermediate shaft is supported on the boom at a location between the tail and head shaft. Spaced endless digging chains are meshed with sprockets on the head shaft and selected ones of the tailwheel shaft sprockets to provide an upper run and a lower run of endless digging chain which forms an endless central digging and conveying member by which excavated material is translocated from the ground to a lateral conveyor on the machine. Spaced endless intermediate digging chains are meshed with the outermost of sprockets on the tail and intermediate shafts to form opposed, endless, outer digging and conveying members.

Abstract: A system for crushing a wall of rock comprising a first device, such as a track hoe, for moving with at least two degrees of freedom, a second device, such as an articulating boom, secured to and moving with the first device for moving with at least two degrees of freedom, one of the two degrees of freedom of the second device being different from the two degrees of freedom of the first device. A rotating stone cutting mechanism is secured to the second device, the stone cutting mechanism comprising a rotating drum having a plurality of tooth holders on the surface thereof in a helical array relative to the axis of the drum, each of the tooth holders having a very hard tooth, preferably of a refractory carbide, releasably secured thereto. A motive structure causes rotation of the drum about its axis. The motive structure includes a motor, preferably hydraulic, a sprocket driven by the motor, a chain and a second sprocket coupled to the drum.

Abstract: The device comprises a support (9) provided with means (12) for its demountable fastening to the reactor structure (1) above and vertically in line with the component (3), a turret (10) mounted rotatably on the support (9) about its vertical axis, a device for taking up forces (11), on which the lower end of the turret (10) is mounted rotatably, an arm (18) mounted movably on the turret (10) in a radial direction, a first cutting unit (20) mounted on the movable arm (18), a trolley (25) mounted movably on the turret (10) in the vertical direction, a vertical second cutting unit mounted on the trolley (25) and a means for handling (30) fragments of the component (3).

Abstract: A cylindrical drum assembly is rotatably mounted transversely on the front of the boom member of a continuous miner. The drum assembly comprises a pair of independently operable drum sections. Each drum section is driven through an input shaft connected to a motor. The drum sections may be connected by a coupler to form a unitary drum assembly which may be operated by only one of the motors. Torque is transmitted from the input shafts to a bevel gear rotatably supported in the drum section. The bevel gear is nonrotatably connected to a sun gear which in turn drives a plurality of planetary gears connected to a cylindrical planetary cage with a bore defining an inner surface. The cage is connected to a cylindrical inner housing on its outer surface and to an output shaft on its inner surface through a cylindrical shear coupler. A puller shaft is provided to remove the output shaft and the shear coupler.

Abstract: A curb cutter for use by a mobile operator comprises a boom having a saw assembly at one end thereof. The boom is user-movable through vertical and lateral directions so as to place the saw at a desired location. The up and down movement of the boom is controlled by a separate cam assembly with lateral movement of the curb cutter being diminished by a ground engaging spike assembly during use. The device allows for the use of various boom lengths according to the job at hand.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for shearing drums. Final gear reduction stages are arranged inside the shearing drum (5) and at least one reduction stage is designed as a planetary gear mechanism. The first gear reduction stage arranged inside the shearing drum (5) has intermediate gear wheels (21) rotatably fixed to a rigid intermediate gear wheel carrier (22) connected to a supporting arm (3) of the shearing drum (5). The intermediate gear wheels (21) are driven by a sun gear wheel (20) and interact with an outer internal gear wheel (25). Internal gear wheel (25) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a second sun gear wheel (26) of a downstream planetary gear mechanism, the output side (30) of which is connected to the shearing drum.

Abstract: A self propelled continuous mining machine includes a mobile frame assembly having a first pivot point for a boom assembly or an end of a piston cylinder assembly and a second pivot point for pivotally connecting an end of a piston cylinder assembly or pivotally connecting an end portion of a lever member which may be interchangeably utilized to provide the continuous mining machine with boom assemblies of different cutting heights. The first pivot point is located at an elevation higher than the elevation of the second pivot point. This arrangement of interchangeable boom pivot points permits for low and high cutting height boom assemblies to be utilized with the same continuous mining machine.

Abstract: A shearing machine with shearing heads or drums rotatably mounted on a luffable shearing arm and a loading ramp or a conveyor running in the direction of the heading face for receiving and conveying away the sheared material. The loading ramp or the conveyor is supported displaceably in the longitudinal direction of the shearing machine on the machine frame and the horizontal luffing axis of the shearing arm runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the machine and is mounted adjustably relative to the machine frame in the longitudinal direction of the machine. The adjustment movement of the horizontal luffing axis of the shearing arm is coupled to the adjusting movement of the loading ramp or of the conveyor. The shearing arm is mounted on a bearing bracket which is connected to a carriage. The carriage is displaceable on guides running in the longitudinal direction of the machine and the bearing bracket is connected to a driver which is formed by a slot guide.

Abstract: A shearing machine with roof-bolt drilling and setting devices which are jointedly connected to the shearing machine and can be hydraulically braced between roof and floor of the roadway. A multiplicity of roof-bolt drilling and setting devices are connected to a common supporting frame, the supporting frame being connected to the shearing machine via guide bars running in the longitudinal direction of the machine.

Abstract: A device for guying a drift advancing machine within a drift has props which can be guyed between the drift roof and the drift floor and having articulated caps, connected to it. There are arranged at both sides of the longitudinal center plane of the machine at least one hydraulic cylinder-piston-aggregate between a supporting block fixed on the machine frame and the drift floor as well as between the supporting block and the drift roof in a guyable manner. The cylinder-piston-aggregates are articulatedly connected to floor supporting plates adapted to be pressed against the floor and to roof caps and are articulatedly connected to the supporting block, and the floor supporting plates and the roof caps are connected with the machine frame (1) via thrust supports.

Abstract: In a rotationally driven cutting roll for a machine for cutting ore or other rock material from a drift face, the roll is axially divided into a plurality of roll portions arranged end to end in juxtaposition along the drift face. The roll portions are rotationally driven by a continuous, one-piece straight driving shaft. Lateral ones of the roll portions are supported coaxially with the shaft, but the medial roll portion or portions is or are supported in respective inclined positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the driving shaft. As a result, gearing ribs on the drift face are minimized in width.

Abstract: A self-propelled continuous mining machine includes a mobile frame assembly having a front end portion with a boom assembly pivotally retained thereon. A dust collecting system is positioned on the mobile frame assembly for inducing a flow of air through a hollow interior portion of the boom assembly. As a dislodging head removes material from a mine face, the dust collecting system draws airborne dust created by the dislodging head through a hollow interior of the boom assembly and into the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly. Two portions of the boom assembly are pivotally connected to portions of the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly to provide pivoting joints to allow the collecting system to draw airborne dust through the boom assembly with the boom assembly in any preselected position relative to the mobile frame assembly.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine comprising a forward cutter assembly connected for horizontal pivotal movements with respect to a rearward assembly mounted on the endless track assembly. The cutter assembly includes a central frame and a pair of said frames mounted on the central frame for independent pivotal movement about a pair of axes generally parallel with each other extending in a longitudinal direction corresponding generally to the forward direction of movement of the forward assembly with respect to the mine face. An elongated shaft is rotatalby mounted on each of the side frames so as to extend longitudinally from a position adjacent the rearward portion of the associated side frame forwardly thereof to an extent such that a forward end portion of each shaft extends forwardly of the associated side frame. A speed reducing units is mounted on each side frame between the associated shaft and the associated pivotal axis in driving relation with respect to the rearward portion of the associated shaft.

Abstract: Then invention relates to a cutting machine having cutting heads or drums which are supported to be freely rotating on a pivoting cutting arm, with a loading ramp or conveyor which extends in the direction to the work face to receive and transport the cut material, the loading ramp or conveyor being supported on the machine frame to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the cutting machine. The pivot axis of the cutting arm, which axis extends at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the machine, is provided to be adjustable relative to the machine frame in the longitudinal direction of the machine. The adjusting movement of the horizontal pivot axis of the cutting arm is coupled to that of the loading ramp or conveyor.

Abstract: A self-propelled continuous mining machine includes a mobile frame assembly having a front end portion with a boom assembly pivotally retained thereon. The outer end portion of the boom assembly carries a dislodging head for removing material from a mine face. A plurality of connections pivotally connects the boom assembly to the mobile frame assembly. A dust collecting system is positioned on the mobile frame assembly for inducing a flow of air through a hollow interior portion of the boom assembly. As the dislodging head removes material from a mine face, the dust collecting system draws airborne dust created by the dislodging head through a hollow interior of the boom assembly and into the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly.

Abstract: A trencher machine digging boom assembly having a mounting arrangement for the digging boom wherein the boom includes a boom attaching weldment that is pivotally mounted to a boom pivot casting. The boom pivot casting is rigidly mounted to a trencher frame with a drive motor being mounted to one end of the boom pivot casting and a planetary gearbox being mounted at its opposite end. The planetary gearbox and associated drive components for the digging chain may be disconnected to permit easy and convenient removal of the digging boom for replacing its pivot bearings. Further, the torque reactions of the drive train are maintained within the boom pivot casting and are not transferred to the lift components associated with the digging boom.

Abstract: An excavating apparatus for breaking and removing material away from an upright face of material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotary cutting head mounted between the fore ends of a pair of boom arms. The boom arms are pivotally mounted relative to the front end of a vehicular portion of the apparatus. A shroud partially surrounds the cutting head for confining material cut from the face. The shroud includes an edge shoe portion for engaging the face and is pivotally mounted at the fore-end of the boom arms. The shroud is adapted for selective rearward pivotal movement as the boom arms are swung upwardly for maintaining the edge shoe portion against the face.

Abstract: In a drift advancing machine cutting rolls are rotatably supported on a centrally arranged pivoted arm. Each cutting roll has a separate drive, each of which comprises a drive motor, a drive shaft and a driven shaft being driven via a bevel gear gearing. The drive shaft is a hollow shaft, within which is accommodated the second drive shaft.

Abstract: A mine drift advancing machine includes a cutting arm pivoted at its rear end to the machine chassis for movement about a horizontal axis and at its front end supporting a carrier which is pivoted to the arm for movement about a vertical axis. At least two horizontally spaced apart rocking levers are pivoted at their rear ends to the carrier for swinging about vertical axes and a lever drive is provided for swinging the levers simultaneously in the same directions. The forward end of each lever carrie at least one cutting tool which is rotatable about a generally vertical axis.

Abstract: A method for drilling a hole in a hard material such as rock. According to this method, the rock is fragmented by impact along spaced-apart, parallel paths while it is simultaneous fragmented by shear between these paths. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting machine includes a universally swivellable cutting arm (6) having rotatably supported on its free end at least one cutting head (10, 11). A backwardly conveying screw conveyor (8, 9) is connected with the cutting arm (6) at both sides of the cutting arm (6). Each has its front end (12) located within the area of the cutting head (10, 11). The conveyor screws (8, 9) are surrounded by a housing which is open at the side turned away from the cutting arm (6). These conveyor screws (8, 9) take up the heap of debris during horizontal lateral movement and backwardly convey the material from the mine face (21) to a removal means (26) being arranged, for example, on the loading ramp (25).

Abstract: A core breaker comprising a plurality of bits mounted on a suitable support and capable of being readily replaced when the bit becomes worn or damaged during the breaking of a core which is left between the conventional rotating cutter drums of a motorized coal cutting machine.

Abstract: An improved cutting head for a mining machine having a rotary cutting head and shaft removably and rotatably attached to the forward end of a mining machine such that the shaft and cutting head alone may be removed from the forward end of the machine and repaired at the site where the mining is taking place.

Abstract: An improved material gathering device is for a mining machine or the like of the type which includes a mobile body supporting a mining head at a forward end thereof for dislodging material from a mine face. A gathering platform is on the mobile body adjacent and below the mining head for receipt of the dislodged material thereon. An endless conveyor extends longitudinally of the mobile body to convey the dislodged material away from the forward end to the rearward end of the mobile body. A pair of oscillating arms are on transversely opposite sides of the gathering platform and are driven by a gear train including a transversely extending shaft to cause the arms to feed the dislodged material onto the endless conveyor. The endless conveyor includes a sprocket and drive shaft at a forward end thereof to cause the endless conveyor to extend into the gathering platform to terminate near a forward edge thereof.

Abstract: In a cutting machine, a cutting arm is swivellable around a horizontal axis and around a vertical axis and carries on its free end a cutting tool. The horizontal swivelling axis of the cutting arm is displaceable relative to the frame of the cutting machine. Displacing of the horizontal swivelling axis is allowed by arranging the swivelling axis on a rocker arm connected with the frame of the cutting machine and is turnable around a vertical axis and is swivellable around a horizontal swivelling axis. With the rocker arm assuming a lowered position, the horizontal swivelling axis of the rocker arm is, as seen in an advancing direction, located in front of the horizontal swivelling axis of the cutting arm. The swivelling drive, for example is formed of a hydraulic piston-cylinder-arrangement, for swivelling the cutting arm around its horizontal swivelling axis and is supported on the rocker arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating hard soils comprising support means, an endless chain capable of movement relative to said support means, drive means for moving said endless chain, means integral with said endless chain operable to contact said hard soils, and means for concentrating the force exerted by said soil contacting means against said hard soils at a specific point along said endless chain while said endless chain is being moved relative to said support means.

Abstract: A tunnel or road header is provided with a caterpillar running gear and a portal frame. A cutter head means engageable with a tunnel face is mounted displaceably on the frame on a horizontal track extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of the roadway. The cutter head means consists of a shearing machine equipped with a carrier arm which is pivotal parallel to the rock face through more than 360.degree. and a shearing drum which is carried by the carrier arm and which rotates about an axis extending toward the rock face and parallel to the roadway floor.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine includes a mobile body portion with a cutter drum member rotatably mounted on the front of a boom member which extends forwardly of the body portion. The cutter drum member has an intermediate drum section and a pair of canted end drum sections. Driven input shafts extend through openings between the intermediate section and the end drum sections. Each input shaft is drivingly connected to a first stage of a two stage planetary gear assembly which surrounds an end drum drive shaft that extends the length of each end drum section. A second stage of the planetary gear assembly is drivingly connected to and is axially aligned with the first stage to transmit rotation outwardly to the end of the end drum section. A shearable driving coupling is axially positioned on the end drum drive shaft at the end of the end drum section. An external portion of the drive coupling is connected to the second stage and an internal portion is connected to the end drum drive shaft.

Abstract: A plough for winning material (such as coal) from a face has a plough body which supports a carrier for roof-level cutters. Means are provided for adjusting the vertical position of the carrier with respect to the plough body. The adjustment means comprises a worm mounted on the plough body, and a toothed rack associated with the carrier. The worm meshes with the toothed rack. The worm is driven through a reduction gear which is located on the goaf side of the carrier.

Abstract: A mining apparatus which is adapted to be connected to a sectioned powered auger conveyor assembly and driven by the central shaft of the auger is constructed with its housing divided into a cutting section and an attachment section. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the cutting section and a transmission is mounted to the drive shaft, the transmission being adapted to receive an input shaft having one end coupled to the auger central shaft so that the auger shaft will turn the input shaft and drive the shaft through the transmission. A plurality of cutting arms are rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and are pivotally rotated around the drive shaft by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders to move the arms which carry an axle mounted therein on which cutting drums are mounted enabling the cutting drums to cut material from a seam of material.

Abstract: A self-propelled mining machine includes a mobile body portion with a boom extending forwardly therefrom. The boom rotatably supports a rotatably driven cutter drum having peripherally extending cutting elements. The boom member includes a trough formed by inclined sidewalls. The inclined sidewalls are positioned in space relation and extend upwardly on opposite sides of the receiving end of a conveyor that extends continuously the length of the machine body portion. The sidewalls slope downwardly toward the lateral edges of the conveyor receiving end and form a material receiving bin or hopper. The receiving end of the conveyor forms the floor of the hopper. The front end of the hopper extends the length of the cutter drum. Suitable drive means rotate the cutter drum to dislodge material from a mine face and direct the dislodged material by rotation of the cutter drum over the cutter drum and rearwardly into the hopper.