Abstract: An apparatus for defining a passageway through a composition between first and second locations. The apparatus has a cable pulling assembly and a support for the cable pulling assembly. The cable pulling assembly has a capstan assembly, with a part of the capstan assembly guided in movement around a first axis and engageable with a cable connected to a mole so as to cause a cable engaged by the part of the capstan assembly to be pulled as the part of the capstan assembly is driven around the first axis. The part of the capstan assembly has a circumferential groove, bounded by a surface and extending around the first axis, for reception of a cable to be pulled. The groove is configured so that a circumferentially localized force is applied by the groove surface to a cable operatively positioned in the groove tending to avoid circumferential slippage between the part of the capstan assembly and the cable operatively positioned in the groove.

Abstract: A method of advancing a mole to define a passageway through a composition between first and second locations spaced from each other a substantial first distance. The method includes the steps of: attaching the mole to a cable; providing a support; providing a cable pulling assembly on the support; and operating the cable pulling assembly to cause a pulling force on the cable to be continuously applied through the cable pulling assembly to the cable and therethrough to the mole to thereby cause the mole to be advanced in a path a substantial second distance at least partially over the first distance between the first and second locations.

Abstract: A low profile, extensible boom, rough terrain forklift is provided with an engine and drive train centrally mounted within a narrowed frame to provide clearance between the rough terrain forklift wheels and the narrow frame such that the forklift has a tight turning radius without increasing the overall width of the forklift. In addition to the centrally mounted engine, the pivotal mount of the extensible boom is elevated from the frame to allow a forklift operator complete visibility of the terrain surrounding the forklift.