Continuous mining machine with laterally movable cutter drum member

摘要

A self-propelled body portion is provided with a forwardly extending boom member pivotally secured thereto. The boom member includes a pair of parallel forwardly extending arm members that are pivotally secured to the body portion. A pair of parallel support members are movably secured to and extend laterally from the respective arm members. A drum member having cutting elements thereon is rotatably supported at the forward end portion of the support members. A pair of piston cylinder assemblies are secured to the respective arm members and each includes an extensible piston rod secured to a support member. The piston cylinder assemblies are connected by fluid conduits to a hydraulic valve member. A selected one of the drum member end portions may be moved laterally relative to the respective side edge of the gathering device by introducing fluid under pressure from the valve member into the piston cylinder assembly adjacent that side of the mining machine. The piston rod retracts within the assembly, and the fluid is transmitted therefrom through a conduit back to the control valve and then to the other piston cylinder assembly to extend the other piston rod therefrom. The simultaneous extension and retraction of the piston rods moves the support members laterally to one side of the body portion to position a drum member end portion within the confines of a side edge of the gathering device. With this arrangement, a selected side edge of the gathering device may be positioned abutting the mine rib to permit the gathering device to pick up the loose material adjacent the mine rib.