A shearing system includes a pan line having an end stop, a gate end, and a set of consecutively arranged pans extending from the gate end and having one or more pans disposed beyond the end stop. A shearer is stoppable at the end stop, includes a shearer arm, and is positioned on the one or more pans when the shearer arm is disposed between the end stop and the gate end. A first sensor detects an orientation of the shearer, while second sensors detect an orientation of the set of consecutively arranged pans. A control system determines a profile of the pan line between the end stop and the gate end and controls a movement of the shearer arm based on the profile of the pan line when the shearer arm is disposed between the end stop and the gate end.

A machine for excavating rock includes a frame, a cutting device, and a boom. The cutting device includes a cutting disc having a cutting edge, and the cutting disc is rotatable about a cutting device axis. The boom supports the cutting device and includes a first end, a second end, and a boom axis substantially parallel to the cutting device axis. The boom further includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to the frame for rotation about a first pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position. The second portion is coupled to the cutting device, and the second portion is pivotable about a second pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position.

A cutting assembly is provided for a rock excavation machine having a frame. The cutting assembly includes a boom, a cutting device, and a plurality of fluid actuators. The boom includes a base portion and a movable portion. The base portion is configured to be supported by the frame, and the movable portion is supported for sliding movement relative to the base portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base portion. The boom includes a wrist portion pivotably coupled to the movable portion at a pivot joint. The cutting device is supported on a distal end of the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are coupled between the base portion and the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are operable to move the movable portion and the wrist portion parallel to the longitudinal axis, and are also operable to bias the wrist portion against cutting loads exerted on the cutting device.

A rock excavating device includes a shaft and a cutting element. The shaft includes a first portion and a second portion connected to an end of the first portion. The first portion is rotatable about a first axis. The second portion extends along a second axis that is oblique with respect to the first axis. The cutting element includes a cutting edge. The cutting element is supported on the second portion and rotatable about the second axis. Rotation of the first portion of the shaft about the first axis changes the orientation of the second axis and the cutting element.

A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine having a frame includes a boom and a cutting device supported on the boom. The boom includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion supported for pivotable movement relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the first portion includes a first structure extending along a longitudinal base axis and a second structure moveable relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal base axis, and at least one bearing supports the second portion for movement relative to the first portion. In some embodiments, the second portion is pivotably coupled to the first portion by a universal joint, and a suspension system including a plurality of biasing members may be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine having a frame includes a boom and a cutting device supported on the boom. The boom includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion supported for pivotable movement relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the first portion includes a first structure extending along a longitudinal base axis and a second structure moveable relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal base axis, and at least one bearing supports the second portion for movement relative to the first portion. In some embodiments, the second portion is pivotably coupled to the first portion by a universal joint, and a suspension system including a plurality of biasing members may be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

A roller cutter unit is mountable at a cutting head of undercutting mining machines. The cutter unit includes an elongate mount shaft to position and support a cutter ring. The cutter ring is secured to the mount shaft via a bracket having a wedge segment configured to be wedged axially and radially between the cutter ring and the shaft. Accordingly, a mounting mechanism is provided to achieve a desired force transmission pathway from the cutter ring into the shaft so as to maximize the locking action of the cutter ring at the cutter unit.

A roller cutter unit is mountable at a cutting head of undercutting mining machines. The cutter unit includes an elongate mount shaft to position and support a cutter ring. The cutter ring is secured to the mount shaft via a bracket having a wedge segment configured to be wedged axially and radially between the cutter ring and the shaft. Accordingly, a mounting mechanism is provided to achieve a desired force transmission pathway from the cutter ring into the shaft so as to maximize the locking action of the cutter ring at the cutter unit.

A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.

A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.