A pinned connection assembly includes a first rigging component, a second rigging component, a rigging pin, a locking pin, and a lock. The first rigging component has an end with at least one coupling aperture and at least one retention aperture that is transverse to the coupling aperture. The second rigging component has an end with at least one coupling aperture. The rigging pin has an end with a retention groove. The rigging pin is inserted through the coupling apertures of the first and second rigging components. The locking pin has an end with a locking groove. The locking pin is inserted through the retention aperture and the retention groove. The locking groove has guide, transitional, and locking portions for engaging a key of the lock.

A pinned connection assembly includes a first rigging component, a second rigging component, a rigging pin, a locking pin, and a lock. The first rigging component has an end with at least one coupling aperture and at least one retention aperture that is transverse to the coupling aperture. The second rigging component has an end with at least one coupling aperture. The rigging pin has an end with a retention groove. The rigging pin is inserted through the coupling apertures of the first and second rigging components. The locking pin has an end with a locking groove. The locking pin is inserted through the retention aperture and the retention groove. The locking groove has guide, transitional, and locking portions for engaging a key of the lock.

A novel cable construction provided an armored covering over a cable containing high-strength synthetic filaments. The synthetic cable is provided with a strong and tough termination where it attaches to heavy machinery, such as mining machinery. An external armoring is then provided for a desired portion of the cable (up to the entire length of the cable). A collar is preferably provided to seal the end of the armoring portion to a cable jacket (where a cable jacket is present).

A novel cable construction provided an armored covering over a cable containing high-strength synthetic filaments. The synthetic cable is provided with a strong and tough termination where it attaches to heavy machinery, such as mining machinery. An external armoring is then provided for a desired portion of the cable (up to the entire length of the cable). A collar is preferably provided to seal the end of the armoring portion to a cable jacket (where a cable jacket is present).

A system for an excavating machine includes a control system comprising a processing system, one or more sensors, a user interface, and a vision system, wherein the control system receives input signals from the user interface, the one or more sensors, and the vision system; and a motor in communication with the control system and the motor adapted to control movement of a portion of the excavating machine. The processing system can control operation of the motor.

A system for an excavating machine includes a control system comprising a processing system, one or more sensors, a user interface, and a vision system, wherein the control system receives input signals from the user interface, the one or more sensors, and the vision system; and a motor in communication with the control system and the motor adapted to control movement of a portion of the excavating machine. The processing system can control operation of the motor.

An end link for use with heavy equipment includes a body and a swivel ball bushing. The body has first and second openings and defines a main body plane. The first opening has a slot located on a side thereof proximate the second opening and a truncated substantially spherical inner surface. The swivel ball bushing is seated within the first opening. The swivel ball bushing has a truncated substantially spherical outer surface in nesting engagement with the inner surface of the body and a projection at one end seated in the slot. The projection and slot are shaped to allow rotation of the swivel ball bushing relative to the body in two opposing directions about one axis of rotation or two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation.

A method of moving waste material from a mining site using at least one excavator and a plurality of dozers, including excavating material with the at least one excavator from a dig area, said at least one excavator moving along an excavator path that is parallel with the dig area, transferring the excavated material to a plurality of slots, each of said slots are positioned at an angle to the excavator path, and pushing the transferred material by one of said plurality of dozers along the slot and away from the excavator path; wherein each slot allows each of the plurality of dozers to move between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the excavator path.

A method and hardware for damping and controlling unwanted motion in the fixed rigging of large machines. In a first approach large clamp blocks are added to multi-cable rigging systems. These blocks use a first cable to damp the motion of an adjacent cable. The invention also encompasses adding armored sections to synthetic cables to enhance their abrasion resistance and cut resistance.

A system for an excavating machine comprises a control system operating aspects of the excavation machine; and a monitoring system receiving inputs from one or more sensors determining if the excavating machine is in a first state or a second state. In operation, if the excavating machine is in the first state, then the control system enables the excavating machine to perform a first action; or if the excavating machine is in the second state, then the control system disable the excavating machine to perform the first action.