A shuttlecar, depending on the model and size, can haul many tons of mined coal. The author
of this web site as a shuttlecar operator.
A view of a shuttlecar operator and a loaded shuttlecar. Right photo, mining equipment
comes in many different sizes but still does the same job. This model 21 shuttlecar, the operator sits in the middle of the
machine instead of the end. This has advantages and also disadvantages, some of which allows the operator to come to close
to the ribs of the mine walls and has crushed operators.
The days of the pick and shovel are over. Mining has taken on a fully automated look with
machines that can chew or "cut" through solid rock and coal as easy as scissors through paper.
With mining machines such as the Joy continueous miner, it is not a tough task to cut down and load 16 tons or more onto a
shuttlecar with-in a minute or two. The rotating cutting head holds many carbide tipped bits which can make
short work of mining coal.
