Abstract: A mast assembly for a mobile drilling machine may comprise: a mast frame including a back, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side diverging from the back to form an open front along substantially an entire length of the mast frame; a drill motor assembly movably attached to the mast frame, wherein the drill motor assembly is configured to rotate a drill pipe; and a drill drive assembly configured to drive the motor assembly up and down along a length of the mast frame, the drill drive assembly including: a sheave assembly comprising a plurality of sheaves, wherein the plurality of sheaves include a first sheave aligned generally parallel to the first side of the mast frame and a second sheave aligned generally parallel to the second side of the mast frame.

Abstract: A drill pipe rack for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The drill pipe rack may comprise a plurality of tubular receptacles extending from a base of the drill pipe rack to form a cup configuration. The drill pipe rack may further comprise a set of bushings, each bushing of the set of bushings may be received in a respective receptacle. Additionally, each bushing may have the same inner diameter, the inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of a drilling pipe segment of the mobile drilling machine.

Abstract: A system for disassembling a drill assembly including a drill bit and one or more columns interlinked with each other. The system includes a first clamping mechanism adapted to engage one of the drill bit or a first column, and a second clamping mechanism adapted to engage a second column disposed successively to the drill bit or the first column. The second clamping mechanism is turned relative to the first clamping mechanism to at least partially delink the second column from the first column or the drill bit. The system further includes a first actuator adapted to move one of the first clamping mechanism or the second clamping mechanism relative to the other to define a gap therebetween to reveal an interface between the second column and the drill bit or the first column for delinking the second column relative to the drill bit or the first column.

Abstract: A drill head position determination system is disclosed. The drill head position determination system may include a mast, a drill head movably attached to the mast, and a drill drive assembly configured to move the drill head up and down along a length of the mast. The drill head may be configured to rotate a drill string. The drill drive assembly may include at least one sheave and a cable system wound about the at least one sheave. The drill head position determination system may further include a sheave sensor operatively coupled to the at least one sheave and configured to determine a position of the drill head based on a measured rotational position of the at least one sheave.

Abstract: A system for automatic detection of drill pipe coupling on a drilling machine is disclosed. The system may include a rotary head, a drill pipe, a display, and a controller. The controller may be configured to: automatically identify a coupling or decoupling condition of the drill pipe; monitor motion and forces associated with the rotary head during a coupling or decoupling action of the drill pipe; automatically identify a fully coupled or fully decoupled condition of the coupling or decoupling action based on the monitored motion and forces of the rotary head; terminate the coupling action based on the identification of the fully coupled or fully decoupled condition; and update the display to indicate the fully coupled or fully decoupled condition of the drill pipe.

Abstract: A drilling machine includes a mast, a rotary head movably coupled to the mast, a drill string component having a pair of opposed flat surfaces, and a securing structure including engagement surfaces shaped to engage the opposed flat surfaces and secure the drill string component from rotating. The drilling machine also includes a controller configured to track a rotational location of the flat surfaces of the drill string component during rotation of the drill string component. The controller is further configured to receive tracking information from a sensor associated with the rotary head and control the rotary head to align the opposed flat surfaces for engagement by the securing structure.

Abstract: A mast assembly that includes a mast and a hydraulic circuit for moving the mast. The hydraulic circuit includes a primary hydraulic cylinder coupled to the mast to rotate the mast about a pivot axis and a secondary hydraulic cylinder extending from a rod end to a cap end that is fluidly coupled to the primary hydraulic cylinder. A directional valve is fluidly coupled between the primary hydraulic cylinder and secondary hydraulic cylinder to keep a pressure on the cap end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder greater than the pressure on the rod end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder during all operating conditions.

Abstract: A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast including a mast frame. The mobile drilling machine may further include a rotary head movably mounted on the mast frame, the rotary head controllable to rotate a drill string at a desired drill string rotation speed. The rotary head may further be controllable to move up and down the mast frame at a desired drill string feed speed. Additionally, the mobile drilling machine may include a joystick movable to control the desired drill string rotation speed and the desired drill string feed speed of the rotary head. A controller of the mobile drilling machine may be configured to receive a current desired drill string rotation speed and drill string feed speed information from the joystick and lock the current desired drill string rotation speed and the desired drill string feed speed upon activation of a switch mechanism.

Abstract: A method for automated control of a drilling operation of a blast hole drilling machine using a down-the-hole drill bit mounted on a drill string is disclosed. The method may include: receiving input data from a user input including information of the drill bit, drill string weight, and desired hole settings; receiving a command from the user to initiate an automatic down-the-hole operation; identifying a location of the down-the-hole drill bit; and using the received input data and based on the location of the down-the-hole drill bit, automatically initiating the steps of: collaring a hole; drilling the hole; and retracting the drill when the hole is drilled.

Abstract: A platform based drill includes a drilling platform including a frame structure with first and second opposite ends, and first and second opposite sides. A mast supported on a pivotal connection to the drilling platform adjacent the first end of the frame structure and including an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection, and a lower portion extending below the pivotal connection. An adjusting mechanism permits the mast to be pivotally adjusted to a negative drilling angle whereby the upper portion of the mast leans in a direction extending away from the second end and toward the first end.

Abstract: A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The rotary head guide system may include a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame. The mast frame may include edges forming flanges on each side of the opening. The flanges may extend along the length of the mast frame. Additionally, the rotary head guide system may include a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges.

Abstract: A hose retention system for a negative-angle-capable blasthole drilling machine is disclosed. The hose retention system may include an upper cage to extend longitudinally along a mast structure. The upper cage may have a secured end to couple the upper cage to the mast structure, a free end to extend toward the mast structure, and a first longitudinally-extending channel. The hose retention system may include a lower cage separate from the upper cage to extend longitudinally along the mast structure. The lower cage ma secured end to couple the lower cage to the mast structure, a free end to extend toward the mast structure, and a second longitudinally-extending channel.

Abstract: A drill pipe rack for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The drill pipe rack may comprise a plurality of tubular receptacles extending from a base of the drill pipe rack to form a cup configuration. The drill pipe rack may further comprise a set of bushings, each bushing of the set of bushings may be received in a respective receptacle. Additionally, each bushing may have the same inner diameter, the inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of a drilling pipe segment of the mobile drilling machine.

Abstract: A deck bushing system for a drilling machine having a mast deck including a deck hole is disclosed. The deck bushing system may include a deck bushing sized to be received in the deck hole. The deck bushing may include a tubular member having a generally square shaped flange. Additionally, the deck bushing system may include a deck bushing housing fixedly secured to the mast deck. The deck bushing housing may form a generally V-shape opening toward the deck hole.

Abstract: A gearbox guide assembly is provided. The guide assembly includes a guide plate. The guide assembly is configured to guide a movement of a gearbox along a mast of a machine. The gearbox guide assembly also includes a support assembly associated with the guide assembly. The support assembly is configured to couple to the mast. The support assembly is removably attachable to the guide assembly through mechanical fasteners. The support assembly includes a plurality of wear pad assemblies attached to the support assembly. Each of the plurality of wear pad assemblies includes a wear pad configured to contact the mast. Each of the plurality of wear pad assemblies also includes a key element removably coupled along one edge of the wear pad by mechanical fasteners. The wear pad is accessible for removal thereof by decoupling the key element associated therewith.

Abstract: A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast having a mast frame, a movable drill motor assembly, and a pivot; a machine frame including front and back portions, an engine, a ground engaging assembly, and a coupling assembly including first and second side plates, where the mast is pivotably coupled at the pivot between the first and second side plates; at least one primary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position above the pivot along the mast to assist in moving the mast between a stowed position to a drilling position; and a secondary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position below the pivot along the mast to assist the at least one primary fluid cylinder when the mast is at a negative drilling angle.

Abstract: A mast assembly that includes a mast and a hydraulic circuit for moving the mast. The hydraulic circuit includes a primary hydraulic cylinder coupled to the mast to rotate the mast about a pivot axis and a secondary hydraulic cylinder extending from a rod end to a cap end that is fluidly coupled to the primary hydraulic cylinder. A directional valve is fluidly coupled between the primary hydraulic cylinder and secondary hydraulic cylinder to keep a pressure on the cap end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder greater than the pressure on the rod end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder during all operating conditions.

Abstract: A cleaner finger assembly for cleaning compactor teeth on a compactor wheel of a compactor machine includes a cleaner finger base having a tip engaging surface and a base longitudinal axis, a cleaner finger tip having a base engaging surface and a tip longitudinal axis, and a finger tip anchoring mechanism attaching the cleaner finger tip to the cleaner finger base with the base engaging surface facing and engaging the tip engaging surface. The finger tip anchoring mechanism fails and the cleaner finger tip detaches when the cleaner finger tip is engaged by debris with a force parallel to the tip longitudinal axis, or with a force perpendicular to the tip longitudinal axis, to cause a tip shear force greater than a tip anchor shear capacity of the finger tip anchoring mechanism or a tension force greater than a tip anchor tension capacity of the finger tip anchoring mechanism.

Abstract: A compressed air system may comprise an air compressor configured to generate compressed air, a reservoir configured to store the compressed air, a reservoir pressure sensor configured to monitor an actual reservoir pressure of the compressed air stored in the reservoir, an outlet valve configured to regulate a flow of the compressed air out of the reservoir, and an outlet electronic actuator configured to adjust a position of the outlet valve. The compressed air system may further comprise an electronic control module (ECM) configured to transmit a command to the outlet electronic actuator to cause the outlet electronic actuator to open the outlet valve when the actual reservoir pressure is above a target reservoir pressure, and transmit a command to the electronic actuator to cause the electronic actuator to close the outlet valve when the actual reservoir pressure is below the target reservoir pressure.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking a mast includes a double acting cylinder having a piston coupled with a piston rod adapted to slide inside a cylinder barrel. The cylinder barrel is coupled with a first shaft through a first coupling pin. Mounting brackets coupled to a base plate of the mast guide a sliding motion of the first coupling pin, and the cylinder barrel. A first locking pin connected to the piston rod selectively engages a first side plate based on the sliding motion of the piston rod. A retraction stopper restricts a sliding motion of the first locking pin away from the first side plate, and subsequently causes a movement of the cylinder barrel towards the first end of the cylinder barrel. A second locking pin connected to the shaft selectively engages a second side plate based on the sliding motion of the cylinder barrel.