Difficulties observed in operating powered roof support during work in lower range of its working height

Significant maintenance difficulties have recently been observed in terms of the proper maintenance of mining roofs during the operation of powered roof supports in their low section height range, which is characterized by a wide working range. These difficulties were also encountered in situations where the calculated load capacity index of the roof “g” reached favorable values. These phenomena occurred most often during extraction under gobs and when maintaining a protective roof carbon shelf of the required thickness. This paper presents the calculations and analyses aimed at clarifying and discussing these events.