Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral mining machine

Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral winning machine, such as a plough, movable along a guide at one side of a scraper-chain conveyor employs cantilevered beams extending between the conveyor and roof supports as known per se. Brackets are provided at the goaf side of the conveyor and these brackets are pivotably coupled to the cantilever arms by way of flat pan-like components. Upstanding piston and cylinder units are positioned close to the conveyor goaf side wall preferably within protective walls of the brackets. These units are pivotably connected at their upper ends to the brackets and to extensions of the pan-like components so that the beams are effectively pivotably coupled to the units at positions offset towards the conveyor relative to the pivot connections with the brackets. The space between the conveyor and the supports is relatively unrestricted. The units are extended or retracted to tilt the conveyor and the guide whereby to control the cutting position of the machine.