In spite of the unfavourable underground conditions, Japanese coal mining industry has succeeded in increasing its output from 50, 000t/mo/face (washed coal) of 1960 to more than 100, 000t/mo/face in 1972. Such a high rate of output is made possible by the double ranging drum cutter which cuts through the whole length of a face wall in its cutting travel either way, and also by our development of the powerful shield type self-advancing support of proven safety in mining operation, which has given the indispensable help toward attaining such a mining efficiency.
Described hereunder is the circumstance leading to the development of the shield type self-advancing support by Mitsui Miike Machinery Co., Ltd. and the successful results.