The Dosco Roadway Cutter Loader (or roadheader) was used to drive new roadways or tunnels underground, making it one of the first complete development machines. The roadheader was designed to cut, load and help set roof supports for arched roadways, without the need for additional machinery. First the boom head would cut an arch shape into the rock, then the scraper conveyor would gather up the rock. Finally, the platform on the cutting boom was used by miners to stand on to help raise arches and set them in place.
