Mine scaling vehicle

1. A mine scaling vehicle comprising:

a frame, wherein the frame is articulated and includes a front frame section and a rear frame section;

a turntable mounted on the front frame section;

a boom coupled to the turntable and rotatable with the turntable;

a tool coupled to the boom;

a cab from which an operator controls the operation of the mine scaling vehicle and the tool, the cab mounted on the turntable and rotatable with the turntable, wherein the cab is located centered rearwardly of the boom to improve scaling visibility for the operator, wherein operating and supply components of a hydraulic control system are carried by the front frame section and a drive system for the vehicle is carried by the rear frame section; and

a drive mechanism for rotating the turntable, the cab and the boom relative to the frame through angular distances to the left and right of a centerline of the vehicle frame, the drive mechanism including first and second hydraulic actuators coupled between the front portion of the frame and the cab, an additional swing for the boom on either side of the machine centerline being obtainable through articulation of the vehicle.

2. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the cab is rotatable, with vehicle articulation, over an arcuate range of about 120° relative to the frame.

3. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the cab is rotatable, with vehicle articulation, over an arcuate range of between about ±45° and ±60° on either side of a centerline of the mine scaling vehicle.

4. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the turntable includes a swing mechanism including an outer ring and a mating inner ring which define a bearing race, the hydraulic control system including at least one hydraulic control device coupled to the cab for rotating the cab and boom relative to the frame.

5. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 4 , wherein one of said rings is mounted on an upper surface of the front frame section and the other one of said rings is coupled to an under surface of the cab.

6. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the drive system is mounted on the rear frame section and said operating and supply components of the hydraulic control system are mounted on the front frame section, said drive system and said hydraulic control system located below a plane of the turntable to provide a low center of gravity for the mine scaling vehicle.

7. A mine scaling vehicle comprising:

a mine scaling vehicle having an articulated frame with a front portion and a rear portion;

a hydraulic control system, the hydraulic control system including operating and supply components carried by the front portion;

a turntable mounted on the front portion;

a boom pivotally coupled to the turntable and rotatable with the turntable;

a tool coupled to the boom,

a cab from which an operator controls the operation of the mine scaling vehicle and the tool, the cab mounted on the turntable and rotatable with the turntable; the hydraulic control system including at least one hydraulic control device coupled to the cab for rotating the cab and the boom relative to the frame, wherein the hydraulic control system is located below a plane of the turntable and at a level of wheels of a drive system for the mine scaling vehicle; and

a drive mechanism for rotating the turntable, the cab and the boom relative to the frame through angular distances to the left and right of a centerline of the vehicle frame, the drive mechanism including first and second hydraulic actuators coupled between the front portion of the frame and the cab, an additional swing for the boom on either side of the machine centerline being obtainable through articulation of the vehicle.

8. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the turntable includes a swing mechanism including an outer ring and a mating inner ring which define a bearing race.

9. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 8 , wherein one of said rings is mounted on an upper surface of the frame and the other one of said rings is coupled to an under surface of the cab.

10. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the cab is rotatable, with vehicle articulation, over an arcuate range of about 120°.

11. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the cab is rotatable, with vehicle articulation, over an arcuate range of between about ±45° and ±60° on either side of a centerline of the mine scaling vehicle.

12. A mine scaling vehicle comprising:

a mobile articulated frame supported for movement by a transport mechanism, the frame including a front frame section and a rear frame section;

a drive system coupled to the transport mechanism for moving the vehicle;

a turntable mounted on the front frame section, the turntable including a swing mechanism for rotating the cab relative to the frame;

a boom pivotally coupled to the turntable and rotatable with the turntable;

a tool coupled to the boom;

a cab from which an operator controls the operation of the mine scaling vehicle and the tool, the cab mounted on the turntable and rotatable with the turntable; and

a hydraulic control system including at least one hydraulic actuator coupled between the frame and cab for rotating the turntable, the cab and the boom relative to the frame, the hydraulic actuator interposed between the front frame section and the cab for rotating the turntable, the cab and the boom through angular distances to the left and right of a centerline of the vehicle frame, an additional swing for the boom on either side of the machine centerline being obtainable through articulation of the vehicle;

wherein the drive system is carried by the frame and wherein the hydraulic control system is carried by the front frame section and is located at a level of wheels of the drive system to provide a low center of gravity for the mine scaling vehicle.

13. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the drive system is mounted on the frame located below a plane of the turntable.

14. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the drive system is mounted on the rear frame section.

15. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 12 , further including a counterweight mounted to the rear frame section.

16. A mine scaling vehicle for use in scaling and flaking operations involved with the removal of loose materials from mine ceilings and walls in underground mines, said mine scaling vehicle comprising:

a mobile articulated frame supported for movement by a transport mechanism;

a drive system mounted on a rear portion of the frame and coupled to the transport mechanism for moving the vehicle;

a turntable mounted on a front portion of the frame;

a telescoping boom pivotally coupled to the turntable and rotatable with the turntable;

a scaling tool coupled to the boom, the scaling tool adapted for use in removing loose materials, such as scale, from mine ceilings and walls;

a cab from which an operator controls the operation of the mine scaling vehicle and the tool, the cab mounted on the turntable and rotatable with the turntable the turntable including a swing mechanism for rotating the cab relative to the frame; and

a hydraulic control system including at least one hydraulic actuator coupled between the frame and cab for rotating the turntable, the cab and the boom relative to the frame, said hydraulic actuator interposed between the front portion of the frame and the turntable for rotating the turntable, the cab and the boom through angular distances to the left and right of a centerline of the vehicle frame, an additional swing for the boom on either side of the machine centerline being obtainable through articulation of the vehicle, wherein the hydraulic control system is carried by the front portion of the frame to provide a low center of gravity for the mine scaling vehicle and provides power for advancing and retracting the telescoping boom.

17. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the telescoping boom comprises at least two beams having a generally triangular cross-section.

18. The mine scaling vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the telescoping boom comprises at least two beams that extend or retract linearly.