Abstract: A rod handling assembly 10 has a surface engagement mechanism 12 capable of engaging an exposed surface of a drill rod R and a holding mechanism 14 coupled to the surface engagement mechanism 12. The system 10 and more particularly the mechanisms 12 and 14 engage and hold the rod R from a location radially adjacent a circumferential surface of the rod R inboard of its opposite ends, rather than from an end of the rod R. The surface engagement mechanism 12 is a distributed mechanism having two parts 12a and 12b that act at axially spaced locations on the rod R. The holding mechanism 14 is located and operates on the rod R between these axially spaced locations. The surface engagement mechanism 12 initially operates to engage the surface of the rod R which may for example be lying on a rod tray, to enable the rod to be lifted from a tray. Thereafter the holding mechanism 14 is operable to support and hold the rod.

Abstract: A rod handling assembly 10 has a surface engagement mechanism 12 capable of engaging an exposed surface of a drill rod R and a holding mechanism 14 coupled to the surface engagement mechanism 12. The system 10 and more particularly the mechanisms 12 and 14 engage and hold the rod R from a location radially adjacent a circumferential surface of the rod R inboard of its opposite ends, rather than from an end of the rod R. The surface engagement mechanism 12 is a distributed mechanism having two parts 12a and 12b that act at axially spaced locations on the rod R. The holding mechanism 14 is located and operates on the rod R between these axially spaced locations. The surface engagement mechanism 12 initially operates to engage the surface of the rod R which may for example be lying on a rod tray, to enable the rod to be lifted from a tray. Thereafter the holding mechanism 14 is operable to support and hold the rod.