A hitch is a shallow cavity or ledge carved directly into the rock walls or floor of an underground working. It serves as a secure anchor point or resting seat for heavy structural timbers, such as stulls or roof supports. By seating the timber into a hitch, miners ensure it cannot slip out of place under the immense pressure of the surrounding rock.
Heard on the job
Cut a good deep hitch in the footwall so that stull doesn't kick out when the ground takes weight.