Cutting apparatus

A cutting apparatus suitable for creating tunnels or subterranean roadways and the like comprising:

• a main frame having generally upward, downward and side facing regions;
• a first and second support pivotally mounted relative to the main frame via respective first and second support axes aligned generally upright relative to the upward and downward facing regions such that each first and second support is configured to pivot laterally in a sideways direction relative to the side facing regions;
• at least one first and second support actuator to respectively actuate independent movement of each of the first and second supports relative to the main frame;
• a first and second arm each pivotally mounted to a respective first and second support via a respective arm pivot axis aligned in a direction extending transverse and perpendicular to each support pivot axis to enable the first and second arms to pivot independently of one another and to pivot relative to each of the respective first and second supports in an upward and downward direction relative to the upward and downward facing regions;
• at least one first and second arm actuator arranged to actuate independent pivoting movement of the first and second arms relative to each of the respective first and second supports;
• a rotatable cutting head mounted at each of the first and second arms, each cutting head being rotatable about a head axis orientated to extend substantially transverse to each respective arm pivot axis, wherein each cutting head includes an annular cutting edge or layered cutting edges arranged to provide an undercutting mode of operation;
• a plurality of roller cutters independently rotatably mounted at each rotatable cutting head;
• and
• a powered sled movably mounted at the main frame configured to slide in a forward cutting direction of the apparatus relative to the main frame.