Extension of Low Coal Canopy Technology to Include Drilling and Cutting Machines

摘要

Low coal canopies have been a source of controversy since their introduction into the mining industry. Canopies have been designed to protect the operator from roof falls and contact with the roof. In many cases, however, this protection has been achieved at the expense of operator visibility and ease of ingress and egress. The intent of this program was to improve the operator protection from numerous hazards and to improve the visibility, comfort, and ability to get in and out of the operator compartment without difficulty. Canopy hardware was built for a cutter and a face drill. Design improvements are described herein.