Mining machine with detachable articulated cutting assembly

摘要

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.