Abstract: A guard assembly for encasing drive rods during below ground horizontal drilling is illustrated as including a tube positionable by an adjustable tube guide, which remains stationary during drilling, an expandable tube having a smaller diameter for telescoping into the larger tube, means attaching the smaller tube to the rotary drill power source for substantial encasement of the drive rod during drilling.

Abstract: An hydraulic apparatus is provided for pushing and pulling rod or pipe underground. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting an hydraulic cylinder and a carriage. The carriage is mounted for reciprocating movement along rails attached to the frame. The carriage includes a lower carriage plate, an upper guide plate, and left and right side plates for retaining an actuator slide connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The slide rides on a plurality of thrust roller disposed in a race between the slide and a wear plate mounted in the lower carriage plate. The top of the slide comprises a cam surface that cradles a pair of actuator rollers which bear against a corresponding cam surface on the bottom of an actuator key. The top portion of the actuator key extends through a slot in the upper guide plate and is attached to a lower clamp plate that cradles the rod or pipe.

Abstract: A drill head assembly especially adapted but not limited to horizontal drilling with placement of casing is illustrated as including a drill head body, a wing cutter assembly, and a drive shank all having interlocking connections and assembled by a longitudinal assembly screw.