Abstract: A rod handling system for a drilling activity includes i) a rod support defining a first axis, ii) a rod dispensing device positioned adjacent to the rod support for moving a rod between a first lateral side of the rod dispensing device and the rod support, and iii) a rod positioning device that is positioned adjacent to the rod dispensing arm on a second lateral side thereof for moving the rod between a first position, on the rod support, and a second position on a lateral side of the rod positioning device that is opposite the rod dispensing device in a generally vertical orientation. The system has a first advantage of dedicating a different device for each of the two main tasks necessary in order to complete a cycle of inserting or removing drill rods from a drill head. Furthermore, it has a second advantage of reducing the time required to complete an inserting/removing cycle because the whole cycle is performed by two independent devices that can be simultaneously operated.