Abstract: An underground augering system comprising a drill unit adjustably connected to a retrieving unit by interchangeable and adjustable connectors to provide for simultaneous drilling of one hole and the removal of auger flights from a previous drilled hole, a crowd mechanism within each unit to move the drill and retrieval carriages to and from holes, a transfer arm to move auger flights to and from a staging rack within the retrieval unit and belly pan within the drill unit, and belly pan within the retrieval unit, a mechanism and staging rack for the storage of auger flights, and a delatch mechanism within the drill unit and retrieval unit to disengage the latch lever in an auger flight for removal of the auger flight from a string of auger flights.

Abstract: A telescoping hoist assembly and holding fork mechanism for an augering apparatus comprising a telescoping hoist arm with independently operating lift capability to lift auger flights to add them to or remove them from a string driving a cutting head for augering operations and a fork ram mechanism moveable horizontally and vertically within the augering apparatus to assist in the positioning of auger flights in their addition to or removal from the string.

Abstract: In an augering apparatus for rotating and advancing a cutting head longitudinally of the apparatus driven by a string of auger flights with helical flighting, an auger flight support comprising a plurality of radially extending support legs affixed to a bearing housing surrounding a bearing rotatably affixed to the auger drive shank disposed at one end of a two-ended auger flight to support the auger flight independently of the support provided by the auger flighting to reduce wear and tear of the helical flighting and to eliminate frictional drag of the string of auger flights.