A method of increasing a coal processing rate of a coke oven, the method comprising: positioning a coal charging system, having an elongated charging frame and a charging head operatively coupled with the distal end portion of the elongated charging frame, at least partially within a coke oven having a maximum coal charge capacity and a maximum coking time associated with the maximum coal charge; charging coal into the coke oven with the coal charging system in a manner that defines a first operational coal charge that is less than the maximum coal charge capacity; coking the first operational coal charge in the coke oven until it is converted into a first coke bed but over a first coking time that is less than the maximum coking time; pushing the first coke bed from the coke oven; charging coal into the coke oven with the coal charging system in a manner that defines a second operational coal charge that is less than the maximum coal charge capacity; coking the second operational coal charge in the coke oven until it is converted into a second coke bed but over a second coking time that is less than the maximum coking time; and pushing the second coke bed from the coke oven; a sum of the first operational coal charge and the second operational coal charge exceeds a weight of the maximum coal charge capacity; a sum of the first coking time and the second coking time being less than the maximum coking time; and extruding at least portions of the coal being charged into the coke oven by engaging the portions of the coal with an extrusion plate operatively coupled with a rearward face of the charging head, such that the portions of coal are compressed beneath a coal engagement face that is oriented to face rearwardly and downwardly with respect to the charging head. positioning a coal charging system, having an elongated charging frame and a charging head operatively coupled with the distal end portion of the elongated charging frame, at least partially within a coke oven having a maximum coal charge capacity and a maximum coking time associated with the maximum coal charge; charging coal into the coke oven with the coal charging system in a manner that defines a first operational coal charge that is less than the maximum coal charge capacity; coking the first operational coal charge in the coke oven until it is converted into a first coke bed but over a first coking time that is less than the maximum coking time; pushing the first coke bed from the coke oven; charging coal into the coke oven with the coal charging system in a manner that defines a second operational coal charge that is less than the maximum coal charge capacity; coking the second operational coal charge in the coke oven until it is converted into a second coke bed but over a second coking time that is less than the maximum coking time; and pushing the second coke bed from the coke oven; a sum of the first operational coal charge and the second operational coal charge exceeds a weight of the maximum coal charge capacity; a sum of the first coking time and the second coking time being less than the maximum coking time; and extruding at least portions of the coal being charged into the coke oven by engaging the portions of the coal with an extrusion plate operatively coupled with a rearward face of the charging head, such that the portions of coal are compressed beneath a coal engagement face that is oriented to face rearwardly and downwardly with respect to the charging head.