Mining machine with articulating boom and independent material handling system

1. A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine, the rock excavation machine including a frame, the cutting assembly comprising:

a boom supported on the frame, the boom including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first structure and a second structure slidable relative to the first structure, the second portion including a first member pivotably coupled to the second structure, and a second member pivotably coupled to the first member, the boom further including a first fluid actuator for pivoting the first member relative to the first portion, a second fluid actuator for driving sliding movement of the second structure relative to the first structure, and at least one biasing member coupled between the first member and the second member; and

a cutting device supported on the second member,

wherein the second member is pivotably coupled to the first member by a universal joint, the second portion further including a plurality of biasing members coupled between the first member and the second member.

2. The cutting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is supported on a turntable to pivot laterally relative to the chassis about a pivot axis, wherein the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion about a transverse axis oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the pivot axis.

3. The cutting assembly of claim 1 , wherein sliding movement of the second structure moving the second portion toward and away from a pivot axis of the boom.

4. The cutting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cutting device includes a cutting disc having a cutting edge positioned in a cutting plane, the cutting plane oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second portion of the boom.

5. The cutting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cutting device includes a cutting disc and an excitation device, the excitation device including an eccentric mass supported for rotation in an eccentric manner and positioned proximate the cutting disc, wherein rotation of the eccentric mass induces oscillation of the cutting device.

6. A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine, the rock excavation machine including a frame, the cutting assembly comprising:

a boom including a first end supported on the frame and a second end, the boom including a first portion adjacent the first end and a second portion adjacent the second end, the second portion supported for movement relative to the first end by a telescopic coupling and pivotable relative to the first portion about an axis, the second portion including a first member and a second member, the first member directly coupled to the first portion, the second member pivotably coupled to the first member and positioned adjacent the second end, the boom further including at least one fluid actuator for pivoting the first member relative to the first portion, the fluid actuator positioned within the telescoping coupling, the boom further including at least one biasing member coupled between the first member and the second member; and

a cutting device supported on the second end of the boom.

7. The cutting assembly of claim 6 , wherein the telescopic coupling is positioned between the first end of the boom and the axis.

8. The cutting assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second member supports the cutting device, the second member pivotably coupled to the first member by a universal joint and a plurality of biasing members.

9. The cutting assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second portion is pivotable in a first plane between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the first end is supported for pivoting laterally relative to the chassis in a second plane oriented perpendicular to the first plane.

10. A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine, the rock excavation machine including a frame, the cutting assembly comprising:

a boom supported on the frame, the boom including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first structure and a second structure slidable relative to the first structure, the second portion including a first member pivotably coupled to the second structure, and a second member pivotably coupled to the first member, the boom further including a first fluid actuator for pivoting the first member relative to the first portion, a second fluid actuator for driving sliding movement of the second structure relative to the first structure, and at least one biasing member coupled between the first member and the second member; and

a cutting device supported on the second member,

wherein the first portion is supported on a turntable to pivot laterally relative to the chassis about a pivot axis, wherein the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion about a transverse axis oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the pivot axis.

11. The cutting assembly of claim 10 , wherein sliding movement of the second structure moving the second portion toward and away from a pivot axis of the boom.

12. The cutting assembly of claim 10 , wherein the cutting device includes a cutting disc having a cutting edge positioned in a cutting plane, the cutting plane oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second portion of the boom.

13. The cutting assembly of claim 10 , wherein the cutting device includes a cutting disc and an excitation device, the excitation device including an eccentric mass supported for rotation in an eccentric manner and positioned proximate the cutting disc, wherein rotation of the eccentric mass induces oscillation of the cutting device.