Patent ID: 8506017
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: E21C,E21D

Abstract:
1. In a mining machine having a cutting head, a conveyor assembly for removing the material mined by the cutting head, and loading arm assembly for directing the removed material to a conveyor of the conveyor assembly, each loading arm assembly comprising a center hub configured with an opening for attachment to a drive to rotate the loading arm assembly, and a plurality of arms extending from the center hub, each arm having a top surface and a bottom surface and an arm end, the arm end having at least one surface for directing the removed material to the conveyor, the improvement comprising a wear resistant plate assembly that includes: a wear plate made of a wear resistant material, a plurality of spaced apart spot welds extending along a length of the arm, the spot welds securing the wear plate to a face of the arm end; a plurality of inserts made of a wear resistant material embedded into a bottom surface of the arm end, the inserts positioned between the spaced apart spot welds to provide wear resistance to the bottom surface of the arm and protect the spot welds during operation, the inserts also optionally positioned at other locations in the arm removed from the spot welds.