FUNDAMENTALS

longwall mining
 

equipment
   

cutting machines - shearer haulage
 

Equipment

Cutting Machines - Shearer Haulage

Chain haulages have been used to drive shearers along the face, but modern units use a rack and pinion arrangement for this purpose. Rack sections are attached on the face side of the AFC back plates and drive pinions, usually hydraulically driven, are attached to the goaf side of the shearer body. Stops are built into or placed in the rack sections at each end of the face to limit shearer travel and so prevent damage to other equipment in those locations.