Cutting heads, cutting machines equipped therewith, and methods of operation

An annular-shaped cutting head of a cutting machine, the cutting head comprising:

• annular-shaped first and second structural members spaced apart in an axial direction of the cutting head;
• circumferentially-spaced support segments between the first and second structural members, each of the support segments having a leading edge and an oppositely-disposed trailing edge, an inner surface region facing in a radially inward direction of the cutting head, an outer surface region facing in a radially outward direction of the cutting head, a knife support surface defined on the inner surface region adjacent the leading edge of the support segment, and a gate located adjacent the trailing edge of the support segment;
• knife assemblies located adjacent the leading edge of each of the support segments, each of the knife assemblies comprising a holder opposing one of the knife support surfaces of the support segments and adapted to clamp a knife between the holder and the knife support surface;
• wherein the cutting head further comprises at least one of the following:
• first camming units engaging the first and second structural members and adapted to draw the first and second structural members together to releasably secure the support segments therebetween;
• second camming units located at the outer surface regions of the support segments and adapted to draw the holders of the knife assemblies toward a corresponding one of the knife support surfaces to clamp a knife between the holder and the knife support surface;
• and
• adjustment units each comprising an adjustment pin engaging the first and second structural members and a camming portion adapted to cam against the outer surface region of a corresponding one of the support segments adjacent the trailing edges of the support segment to deflect the gate of the support segment in the radially inward direction of the cutting head.