A discharge conveyer provides a smooth and continuous path of coal turning large lumps from the face conveyer onto the stage loader and eliminating delays caused by lumps blocking the transfer points. As a result, output is improved and labour saved. There is no longer a need to station a man at the transfer point to break lumps.

The design of Dowty Meco side discharge drives ensures that the bottom strand of the face conveyer is cleared of fines before reentering the bottom race of the conveyer, so reducing carryback and saving power. The side discharge design enables high tonnage to be handled by the smooth flow of coal away from the face conveyer onto the charge loader with a conventional discharge.

Most side discharge drives are used on retreating longwalls which enable to make the fullest use of their high output potential.

Using lessons learned on retreat installation Dowty Meco commissioned an advancing longwall side discharge. The particular benefits of advancing longwall side discharge are:

1. Safer conditions at face end.
2. Lump problems eliminated.
3. Reduced carryback.
4. One man saved at transfer.

Dowty Meco design and engineer the complete side discharge package including drives, gear-boxes, linepans and furniture to suit the coal face machine selected. In seams over 2 m thick, the standard side discharge unit has an overall height of 1250 mm. For thinner seam clearance may be improved by the use of interlaced design of discharge which reduces the height to 1000 mm.