In mining, a cutter loader is a type of machine used specifically in underground operations to extract minerals, most commonly coal. It is designed to perform two key functions simultaneously: cutting the mineral from the rock face and loading the extracted material onto a conveyor belt or other transport system.
Understanding the Role of a Cutter Loader
Before the advent of integrated machines like the cutter loader, mining involved separate steps: first, workers or machines would cut or blast the coal, and then other workers or machines would shovel or load the loose material. Cutter loaders revolutionized this process by combining these actions into a single, continuous operation.
Key Functions
- Cutting: The machine uses powerful rotating drums or other cutting mechanisms equipped with picks to break the mineral away from the seam.
- Loading: As the material is cut, integrated loading arms or mechanisms push or scoop it onto a conveyor system running alongside the machine or face.
This combination significantly improved efficiency, reduced manual labor, and increased production rates in mining.
A Historical Example: The Meco-Moore Cutter Loader
An important early example of this technology was the Meco-Moore cutter loader. According to historical records:
- It was an early twentieth-century British mining machine.
- It was invented by Mr M. Moore.
- It was developed by the Mining Engineering Company (MECO) of Worcester.
- It was a heavy machine, boasting 120 hp / 89.5 kW of power.
- Its first recorded use in a coal mine was in Lancashire, England, in 1934.
The Meco-Moore demonstrated the potential of combining cutting and loading functions, paving the way for more advanced mining machinery used today, such as shearers and continuous miners, which also integrate these tasks.
Meco-Moore Details at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Early Cutter Loader |
| Origin | British |
| Inventor | Mr M. Moore |
| Developer | Mining Engineering Company (MECO) |
| Power | 120 hp / 89.5 kW |
| First Use | Coal mine, Lancashire, England (1934) |
| Primary Role | Combined cutting and loading |
Impact on Mining
The introduction of cutter loaders and subsequent integrated mining machines led to:
- Increased productivity and output per shift.
- Improved safety by reducing the number of miners exposed to the unsupported roof at the face.
- More efficient use of mining areas.
- A shift towards more mechanized and continuous mining methods.
In essence, a cutter loader is a fundamental piece of mining equipment that automates the process of mineral extraction and collection at the working face, building upon the principles pioneered by early machines like the Meco-Moore.
