Comparative Analysis of the Failure Rates of Shearer and Plow Systems—A Case Study

Mechanised plow and shearer systems are widely applied in underground mines all over the world. Both used exploitation of hard coal deposited form seams various thickness. The selection appropriate complex depends on mining geological conditions thickness seam. However, with regard to thin medium seams, these complexes competitive solutions. Mines usually use either or systems. have certain advantages disadvantages resulting from their design method operation, which been demonstrated presented many publications. terms failure rate comparison, there no relevant research analysis results. Only selective studies individual machines can be found. article is concerned frequency longwalls equipped LW Bogdanka mine. covers a period 13 months mine’s during 2589 failures were recorded. All taken into account, irrespective type cause. was conducted for exploited this period, i.e., five working six different sections. In analysed worked total 1484 days. It should emphasised that one mine, thanks data comparable. unique material regarding machines. solutions independently subjected detailed comparison. A comprehensive revealed noticeably higher than ones. main purpose conduct comparative operating same conditions. results contradict previous opinion final conclusion has very well-argued supported by data. comparison both techniques new knowledge treated as an argument when choosing longwall complex.