Rolling-cutter mining bit with relatively soft formation cutting structure

摘要

An earth-boring bit has a bit body with at least one bearing shaft depending inwardly and downwardly therefrom. A cutter is mounted for rotation on each bearing shaft and has a cutter shell surface and a plurality of cutting elements arranged on the shell surface in generally circumferential rows. At least one row of cutting elements includes at least one reduced-projection cutting element disposed between adjacent cutting elements. The row with the reduced-projection element is an inner row, but may include heel rows as well.