Vibratory milling machine having linear reciprocating motion

In a vibratory milling machine having a milling tool carried by a vibratory housing, the method of milling rock comprising:

• rotating at least two eccentrically weighted rotors relative to the housing to create vibratory forces:
• confining the housing for substantially linear reciprocal movement relative to a supporting base in a milling direction;
• and
• milling rock by controlling the supporting base so that the milling tool contacts the rock substantially in the milling direction.

A vibratory milling machine comprising:

• a housing supported by the base for substantially linear reciprocating movement relative thereto in a milling direction;
• at least two rotors mounted for rotation relative to the housing substantially about respective primary axes, each of the rotors having a cylindrical outer surface for reception within a corresponding cavity formed by interior walls of the housing, each of the rotors also having an asymmetrical weight distribution about its primary axis;
• a pressurized fluid bearing structure between the outer surfaces of the rotors and the interior walls of the housing;
• a drive structure for rotationally driving the rotors;
• and
• a milling tool carried by the housing for reciprocating movement against a workpiece in substantially the milling direction.