Auger section positioning means

Abstract

Auger apparatus, such as a coal mining machine, adapted to utilize one or more augers each formed of a string of auger sections, and comprising means for transferring auger sections into the string in the proper axial, transverse and rotational position for coupling into the string. The disclosed machine comprises hoist apparatus for hoisting one or more auger sections to lift them from a storage rack at a side of the machine and place each in an auger string in the machine or to remove each from the auger string and place it in the storage rack. The hoist apparatus comprises rails extending transversely of and above the augers in the machine, a bridge that travels on the rails, a trolley that travels transversely of and on the bridge, and a lift member on the trolley movable in an upright path fixed relative to the trolley. The lift member has tong means that may be adapted to grasp one auger section, or that may be adjusted as to number and spacing to grasp simultaneously a plurality of auger sections in predetermined spaced parallel relation, so that each auger section may be placed in the machine and properly positioned to locate the section accurately longitudinally and transversely in the machine substantially coaxially with a drive chuck and a forwardly positioned auger section. The auger section has locating shoulders engageable by the tongs to locate the auger section accurately angularly or rotationally as it is being carried by the tongs, so that as the auger section is placed in the machine, it is located properly rotationally as well as coaxially, to enable it to be automatically connected in driving relation to its drive chuck and to a forwardly positioned auger section that is to be rotated.