Part of recent development of the Coalition, the Grinder, despite its aggressive name and nightmarish appearance, was and still is intended as a mere mining vessel. The immense grinding machinery in front are built to chew through the hardest of metals while simple tractor beams would collect the minerals for further processing. Built to operate in hostile environment, this ship is heavily armed and armored, and can be considered a dangerous warship by itself.
As long as you stay in space such a construction would easily work. What if the ambitious Coalition pilot enters the athmosphere of a planet? Is the front hanging down, because it's so heavy?