Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling a longwall mining system. One system includes a shearer including a cutter drum and a sensor mounted to the shearer. The system also includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory. The electronic controller is configured to receive an impact event indication associated with an impact event of the cutter drum, the impact event indication based on vibration data collected by the sensor. The electronic controller is also configured to retrieve additional data associated with the impact event indication and link the additional data with the vibration data of the impact event indication. The electronic controller is also configured to create and store an impact event record including the vibration data and the additional data. The electronic controller is configured to, in response to receiving a maintenance request, export the impact event record for display.

Methods and systems of controlling a pitch angle of a shearer. A controller receives a sensor signal indicative of the pitch angle of the shearer, and receives a target pitch profile defining a plurality of target pitch angles for different sections of a mineral face. The controller determines a pitch difference between the pitch angle and a target pitch angle of the shearer, determines a pitch correction height corresponding to a new height for a floor cutter of the shearer based on the pitch difference, and changes a height of the floor cutter based on the pitch correction height.

Methods and systems of controlling a pitch angle of a shearer. A controller receives a sensor signal indicative of the pitch angle of the shearer, and receives a target pitch profile defining a plurality of target pitch angles for different sections of a mineral face. The controller determines a pitch difference between the pitch angle and a target pitch angle of the shearer, determines a pitch correction height corresponding to a new height for a floor cutter of the shearer based on the pitch difference, and changes a height of the floor cutter based on the pitch correction height.

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 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 vertical lifting type drum coal-mining machine without a rocker arm includes a central control box, left and right cutting and lifting reduction gear boxes, left and right guide rail fixing box bodies, left and right traction reduction gear boxes, and left and right traveling gear boxes. The left and right cutting and lifting reduction gear boxes are provided with slideways in fit with lifting guide rails of the left and right guide rail fixing box bodies. Lifting cylinders drive the left and right cutting and lifting reduction gear boxes to make lifting motion. A cutting gear reduction mechanism adopts two-stage fixed-axle gear transmission and two-stage planetary gear transmission, is free from multiple idler pulley groups and has simple transmission chain. The fit between the lifting guide rails and the slideways enables the entire machine to be compact in structure, and the reliability and stability of operation are improved.

A vertical lifting type drum coal-mining machine without a rocker arm includes a central control box, left and right cutting and lifting reduction gear boxes, left and right guide rail fixing box bodies, left and right traction reduction gear boxes, and left and right traveling gear boxes. The left and right cutting and lifting reduction gear boxes are provided with slideways in fit with lifting guide rails of the left and right guide rail fixing box bodies. Lifting cylinders drive the left and right cutting and lifting reduction gear boxes to make lifting motion. A cutting gear reduction mechanism adopts two-stage fixed-axle gear transmission and two-stage planetary gear transmission, is free from multiple idler pulley groups and has simple transmission chain. The fit between the lifting guide rails and the slideways enables the entire machine to be compact in structure, and the reliability and stability of operation are improved.

A guide shoe for a mining machine includes an elongated shoe body, a slot, an insert coupled to the shoe body, and a retainer secured to the shoe body. The shoe body includes a first end, a second end, a first wall, and a second wall. The slot extends between the first end and the second end along a slot axis, and the slot extends along the first wall and the second wall. The insert is positioned between the shoe body and the slot axis and extends along at least a portion of a perimeter of a cross-section of the slot. The insert includes an end positioned adjacent the first end of the shoe body. The retainer abuts the end of the insert to secure the insert against movement relative to the shoe body in a direction parallel to the slot axis.

A guide shoe for a mining machine includes an elongated shoe body, a slot, an insert coupled to the shoe body, and a retainer secured to the shoe body. The shoe body includes a first end, a second end, a first wall, and a second wall. The slot extends between the first end and the second end along a slot axis, and the slot extends along the first wall and the second wall. The insert is positioned between the shoe body and the slot axis and extends along at least a portion of a perimeter of a cross-section of the slot. The insert includes an end positioned adjacent the first end of the shoe body. The retainer abuts the end of the insert to secure the insert against movement relative to the shoe body in a direction parallel to the slot axis.

A conveyor pan is provided for supporting a portion of a mining conveyor extending along a mine face and positioned between the mine face and a goaf. The conveyor pan includes a deck, a toe, and a heel. The deck includes a first side configured to be positioned proximate the mine face and a second side configured to be positioned proximate the goaf. The toe is positioned adjacent the first side of the deck, and includes a toe contact surface defining a toe surface area. The heel is positioned adjacent the second side of the deck, and includes a lug and a heel contact surface. The lug is configured to be coupled to an advancement mechanism. The heel contact surface defines a heel surface area greater than the toe surface area.