A longwall mining system including a longwall shearer having cutting drums. The cutting picks on the cutting drum are monitored for wear using imaging devices mounted to the longwall mining system. Methods for monitoring wear includes a controller receiving image data from an imaging device directed at a cutting drum of a shearer. The controller analyzes the image data to determine a wear level of a cutting pick on the cutting drum. The controller then determines the wear level exceeds a wear threshold and, in response, generates an alert indicating that the cutting pick is worn in response to determining that the wear level exceeds the wear threshold.

A longwall mining system including a longwall shearer having cutting drums. The cutting picks on the cutting drum are monitored for wear using imaging devices mounted to the longwall mining system. Methods for monitoring wear includes a controller receiving image data from an imaging device directed at a cutting drum of a shearer. The controller analyzes the image data to determine a wear level of a cutting pick on the cutting drum. The controller then determines the wear level exceeds a wear threshold and, in response, generates an alert indicating that the cutting pick is worn in response to determining that the wear level exceeds the wear threshold.

A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

A wear prognosis method and a maintenance method for an earth working machine are disclosed, along with an apparatus for performing the method. Provision is made that the current wear state of one or more earth working tools is sensed. The residual wear capacity until the wear limit is reached is then ascertained from the current wear state.

The invention relates to a wear component of a milling machine, to a milling machine equipped with such a wear component, and to a method for determining the wear on a wear component. The wear component has associated with it at least one contactlessly readable electronic component for determining the wear on the wear component. Provision is made according to the present invention that at least one sensor is connected to at least one contactlessly readable electronic component for the transfer of data; that the contactlessly readable electronic component is embodied to receive measured data of the sensor and furnish them for contactless reading; and that at least one measurement portion of the sensor is guided, along at least one wear direction to be monitored, into a wear region or along the wear region of the wear component. The invention makes possible a better milling result as a result of optimized maintenance.

The self-propelled construction machine according to the invention, in particular road-milling machine, recycler, stabiliser or surface miner, comprises a machine frame 2, which is supported by a chassis 1, which has wheels or tracks 1A, 1B. A milling drum 4 is arranged on the machine frame. The wheels or tracks 1A, 1B and the milling drum 4 are driven by a drive unit 8. Furthermore, the construction machine comprises a control unit 19 for controlling the drive unit 8 and a signal-receiving unit 18 for detecting at least one measurement variable M(t) which is characteristic of an operating state of the milling drum 4. The construction machine is characterised in that the rotational speed of the milling drum 4 is adapted, on the basis of at least one measurement variable M(t) which is characteristic of a critical operating state of the milling drum, to the operating conditions of the construction machine in such a way that the milling drum is operated in a non-critical operating state. The adaptive open-loop control of the milling drum rotational speed allows the construction machine to be operated at an optimum operating point with respect to the milling drum rotational speed.

A cutting head for a mining machine includes a drum, a vane, and a cutting bit assembly positioned adjacent a surface of the vane. The drum includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, and the drum is rotatable about a drum axis. The vane is coupled to the outer surface of the drum and protrudes radially away from the drum axis. In some aspects, the vane includes a planar member extending at least partially around the drum axis and at least partially between the first end of the drum and the second end of the drum. In some aspects, the drum includes a plurality of planar walls extending between the first end and the second end.

A cutting head for a mining machine includes a drum, a vane, and a cutting bit assembly positioned adjacent a surface of the vane. The drum includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, and the drum is rotatable about a drum axis. The vane is coupled to the outer surface of the drum and protrudes radially away from the drum axis. In some aspects, the vane includes a planar member extending at least partially around the drum axis and at least partially between the first end of the drum and the second end of the drum. In some aspects, the drum includes a plurality of planar walls extending between the first end and the second end.

The invention relates to an earth working machine and to a method for wear-optimized operation of such an earth working machine. Provision is made in this context that machine parameters with which the earth working machine is operated are adapted, in consideration of material properties of the substrate to be worked, in such a way that favorable wear behavior exists for the earth working tools being used.