Material handling apparatus for use in a mine

摘要

A self-propelled vehicle maneuverable in an underground mine includes an elongated mobile body having a forward end portion with a boom assembly mounted thereon. The boom assembly includes a pair of sections that are telescopically arranged to effect a change in the length of the boom. The outer end portion of the boom carries a material handling device which is operable to perform lifting, towing, recovery and other material handling operations in the mine. A pivot arrangement supports the boom assembly for lateral swinging movement on the front end of the mobile body. A pair of double-acting piston cylinder assemblies are mounted on the mobile body and are connected to the pivot arrangement for laterally swinging the boom assembly. The boom assembly is also connected to the pivot arrangement for upward and downward pivotal movement independent of the lateral swinging movement by operation of a lift cylinder. With this arrangement the boom assembly is extensible and movable laterally and vertically to move the material handling device to safely and efficiently perform a variety of material handling operations conducted in an underground mine.