In the cutter pick industry—especially for coal mining, tunnel boring, shield machines, and excavation machinery—the letters U, S, and C are commonly used in model designations. These letters represent different structural types, functions, or pick body shapes. While definitions may vary slightly between manufacturers, the following interpretations are widely accepted in the industry:
Application: Commonly used in underground coal mining machines, roadheaders, and longwall shearers.
Features:
Versatile and widely used
Typically have a round shank
Installed using snap rings or retaining clips
Common models: U47, U82, U84, U92, U95
Advantages:
Well-suited for medium-hard rock layers, offering good stability and cost-efficiency.
Application: Mostly used in shield tunneling machines (TBMs) and heavy-duty tunneling equipment.
Features:
Designed for continuous operations in abrasive or high-impact conditions
Shanks are usually thicker and more robust
Structures are more complex, often with reinforced ribs or enhanced bodies
Advantages:
High strength and impact resistance; suitable for hard or highly abrasive geological conditions.
Application: Common in road milling machines, tunnel boring equipment, and quarrying operations.
Features:
Conical tip design, promoting self-rotation and self-sharpening
Often used for milling, chiseling, and geological drilling
Installed using snap rings or clamping sleeves
Popular models: C31, C21, C95
Advantages:
Ideal for medium to hard rock, with excellent wear resistance and good adaptability for rotating heads.
