Continuous loading apparatus and method.

摘要

Loading apparatus (10) particularly for mucking operations in confined space. The apparatus (10) includes primary (21) and secondary (22) conveyors disposed in tandem about a longitudinal axis so that a rear portion (25) of the primary conveyor (21) is above the forward portion (27) of the secondary conveyor (22). The primary conveyor (21) can extend axially forwardly from the secondary conveyor (22) and has a penetrator (38) mounted adjacent the forward portion thereof, the penetrator (38) being adapted to be oscillated, automatically if desired in several modes dependent on loading conditions, to facilitate loading of material onto the primary conveyor (21) as the primary conveyor (21) is extended. The apparatus (10) has a supporting body (12) which carries the secondary conveyor (22) and forms a rigid supporting structure which is carried on adjustable legs (93, 94) to restrain the apparatus (10) against mucking loads and to enable the apparatus (10) to be set in a desired attitude so that the penetrator (38) follows a pre-selected path or plane, irrespective of inclination or roughness of ground supporting the apparatus (10) or resilience of apparatus (10) suspension. The apparatus (10) further can be restrained against movement by extendible rams (97,98) which extend upwardly and/or laterally from the apparatus (10) to engage adjacent rock surfaces, if available, so as to augment restraint by the legs (93, 94). When operating, as loading conditions become more difficult, frequency of oscillation of the penetrator (38) can be decreased whilst amplitude increases. In more difficult conditions, the penetrator (38) is raised progressively to reduce load on the penetrator (38), and the penetrator (38) can be subjected to two oscillations having different frequencies and amplitudes.