Abstract: Reversible puller for quickly pulling drill rods from, or for re-inserting drill rods into, drill hole. Rock drill has drill head mounted on feed carriage, drill head including rod rotating structure for rotating drill rod when in drilling mode. Rod puller includes drive wheel and idler wheel mounted for rotation with peripheries adapted for engagement with drill rod. Drive wheel is coaxial with, and rotates with, rod rotating structure and idler wheel cooperates with drill head for movement relative to drive wheel to permit idler wheel to be positioned so as to be essentially coplanar with drive wheel with wheel axes parallel. Drill head is swivellably mounted on carriage to permit drill head to be positioned in rod pulling mode wherein wheel axes are disposed generally normally to drill rod axis and periphery of drive wheel is spaced closely adjacent drill rod. Idler wheel is moved so that drill rod is squeezed between idler and drive wheels for moving rod in desired direction.

Abstract: Core sampling drill head having powered drill chuck with jaws to grip drill rod. Head has thrust member movable by chuck actuating means between jaws retracted and jaws extended position, and precompressed chuck springs cooperating with thrust member and drill chuck so as to be movable with thrust member. Thrust member is located by releasable locking means in desired position, which means also relieve drill bearings of reaction from chuck springs. When thrust member is in jaws retracted position, chuck springs are precompressed by tension means and relatively large diameter tools can pass drill chuck. When thrust member is in jaws extended position, chuck springs cooperate with chuck, are further compressed and extend jaws to grip rod, and tension means are relieved of load from chuck springs. By precompressing and moving springs by themselves, worn drill rods can be accommodated in relatively short drill head without loss of grip.

Abstract: Feed frame assembly for supporting and feeding drill head which rotates drill rod about axis. Assembly includes spaced front and rear end members, laterally spaced longitudinal members and first and second hydraulic feed cylinders. Longitudinal members and feed cylinders extend between end members and are parallel to rod axis. Piston rods of feed cylinders have double-acting pistons cooperating with cylinder bodies to feed head along the piston rods. Stabilizer cylinders in longitudinal members force bearing pads against rock face to counteract the drilling forces. Head mounting means secures rigidly one side of drill head to first cylinder body, and secures releasably with latch opposite side of head to second cylinder body. When latch is released drill head can swing outwards about first piston rod, and when engaged mutual actuation of feed cylinders moves drill head along rods. With head swung out, first cylinder is hydraulically locked to divert fluid to second cylinder.