Examples of the development and application of mechanisms and machines endowed with the properties of self-adjustment (adaptation) to changing operating conditions, in particular machines for mining operations, are presented. It is shown that adaptive mechanisms and machines have a number of advantages in variable operating conditions. At the same time, the area of knowledge on the creation and use of adaptive machines and mechanisms to date, remains poorly understood. The purpose of the work is to present the concept of adaptation of mechanisms and machines to operating conditions, the Executive bodies of which work with variable loads. The results of the paper can be useful for machines and mechanisms design with self-adjusting and self-regulating characteristics. Adaptive mining tunneling, drilling machines and adaptive cutting tools reveal the concept of adaptive machines and mechanisms characteristics to changing operating conditions. The principle of operation of an adaptive drilling machine designed for drilling operations is described. It is shown that the feedback between the torque of the resistance to rotation on the drill rod and the force of the rod feeding on the face is carried out through the force-torque connections with the optional use of electronic automation tools.