A ground engaging tool locking system includes a pin having a first, proximal head region and a second, distal end region spaced from the first, proximal head region along an axis. The pin includes a groove located between the first, proximal head region and the second, distal end region. A biasing element is disposed at least partially within the groove.

An earth working machine encompasses a machine body having a machine frame and a drive configuration rotationally drivable relative to the machine frame around a drive axis (A). It further encompasses a working apparatus (32) for earth working to which the drive configuration is releasably connected in drive torque-transferring fashion for rotation together, the drive configuration projecting from an axial end axially into the working apparatus (32) and the working apparatus (32) being retained on the drive configuration, against axial displacement relative to the drive configuration, by an accessible central bolt arrangement having a bolt axis collinear with the drive axis (A). Provision is made according to the present invention that the earth working machine encompasses a bolting moment bracing arrangement (82) which is connected or connectable in bolting moment-transferring fashion to a bolt component, helically movable relative to the drive configuration, of the bolt arrangement, and which comprises a bracing region (82e, 82gf) that is embodied for bolting moment-bracing abutment in a bracing bolting direction against a counterpart bracing region (84b, 84c), the drive configuration being embodied to be driven to rotate, in a rotation direction codirectional with the bracing bolting direction, while the bracing region (82e, 82f) is in abutment against the counterpart bracing region (84b, 84c).

An earth working machine encompasses a machine body having a machine frame and a drive configuration rotationally drivable relative to the machine frame around a drive axis (A). It further encompasses a working apparatus (32) for earth working to which the drive configuration is releasably connected in drive torque-transferring fashion for rotation together, the drive configuration projecting from an axial end axially into the working apparatus (32) and the working apparatus (32) being retained on the drive configuration, against axial displacement relative to the drive configuration, by an accessible central bolt arrangement having a bolt axis collinear with the drive axis (A). Provision is made according to the present invention that the earth working machine encompasses a bolting moment bracing arrangement (82) which is connected or connectable in bolting moment-transferring fashion to a bolt component, helically movable relative to the drive configuration, of the bolt arrangement, and which comprises a bracing region (82e, 82gf) that is embodied for bolting moment-bracing abutment in a bracing bolting direction against a counterpart bracing region (84b, 84c), the drive configuration being embodied to be driven to rotate, in a rotation direction codirectional with the bracing bolting direction, while the bracing region (82e, 82f) is in abutment against the counterpart bracing region (84b, 84c).

A method for improving the efficiency of a mining operation includes obtaining measurements of at least two of: a volume of mined material removed from terrain by an excavator; a volume of the mined material carried in a bucket of the excavator after removal of the material from the terrain; and a volume of the mined material deposited by the bucket in a truck tray. The method includes alerting an operator of the excavator to a possible spillage or carry-back condition if a difference between the at least two volume measurements exceeds a threshold value. Another method includes determining an optimum dipper trajectory in response to measurements of a height and radial profile of a terrain bank, a position of the excavator relative to the bank and a target volume of material to be extracted into a bucket of the dipper during the dig cycle.

A method for improving the efficiency of a mining operation includes obtaining measurements of at least two of: a volume of mined material removed from terrain by an excavator; a volume of the mined material carried in a bucket of the excavator after removal of the material from the terrain; and a volume of the mined material deposited by the bucket in a truck tray. The method includes alerting an operator of the excavator to a possible spillage or carry-back condition if a difference between the at least two volume measurements exceeds a threshold value. Another method includes determining an optimum dipper trajectory in response to measurements of a height and radial profile of a terrain bank, a position of the excavator relative to the bank and a target volume of material to be extracted into a bucket of the dipper during the dig cycle.