Abstract
Protective canopies for conventional electric face equipment, including shuttle cars, operating in low coal (<48 inches) were designed, fabricated, installed, and evaluated on in-mine machines engaged in regular room-and pillar coal mine operations. Canopy configurations were established based on human engineering studies, full-scale canopy mockups, in-mine observation, and consultation with mine and equipment manufacturing personnel. Canopy tops are typically supported by an understructure and upright hydraulic adjustable posts that are either integrated into the current operator platform or attached to the machine frame. All canopies will support the required 18,000 pounds vertical load.
