Abstract: A collapsible cutter bit or rock head for use with an underground auger boring machine has an expanded position for cutting rock in front of an underground pipe and a collapsed position for withdrawing the rock head through the underground pipe. The auger boring machine is configured to bore a passage through a body of soil and rock and simultaneously lay the underground pipe in the passage. Forward rotation of the cutter bit causes expansion while collapse of the cutter bit may be driven by reverse rotation of the cutter bit or another mechanism.

Abstract: A collapsible cutter bit or rock head for use with an underground auger boring machine has an expanded position for cutting rock in front of an underground pipe and a collapsed position for withdrawing the rock head through the underground pipe. The auger boring machine is configured to bore a passage through a body of soil and rock and simultaneously lay the underground pipe in the passage. Forward rotation of the cutter bit causes expansion while collapse of the cutter bit may be driven by reverse rotation of the cutter bit or another mechanism.

Abstract: An auger boring machine provides a continuous stroke drive assembly for driving a pilot tube to form an underground pilot hole used for guiding an auger in boring an underground pipe installation hole. The drive assembly preferably drives the pilot tube a distance at least the length of one of the pilot tube segments making up the pilot tube to substantially expedite the process. One embodiment includes a hydraulic piston-cylinder combination with a cylinder at least the length of the pilot tube segment. Alternately, a rack and a pinion drive mechanism may be used with a rack at least the length of the pilot tube segment or even more than twice that length to allow for a pair of pilot tube segments to be added simultaneously to the pilot tube. A lubricant feed system allows water to be pumped through passages formed in the pilot tube and steering head.

Abstract: The invention includes a pair of swivels for use with an auger boring machine. One of the swivels allows for rotation of a first auger of a first auger assembly connected to the trailing end of a pilot tube without rotating the pilot tube. The other swivel allows for rotation of a larger diameter second auger connected to the trailing end of the first auger assembly without rotating the first auger. Each of the swivels includes a thrust bearing.

Abstract: An auger boring machine includes a common power source for powering a drive motor which rotates an auger and a drive assembly which drives a pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the earth which is followed by the auger. The drive assembly is movable into and out of the operational position of the auger to allow the auger to be mounted on the drive motor. Preferably the drive assembly is removably mounted on the frame of the auger boring machine. An electric generator and hydraulic pump are powered by the common power source for operating various components of the drive assembly.

Abstract: A brace or gusset is added to the first and last flight blade of an auger length for stability and reinforcement. The braces are generally box shaped with the flight blade as the box bottom. The brace walls are welded together along with a top panel. The brace is adjacent the auger shaft on one end and complementary shaped on one side to conform to the shape of the flight helix. A deflector is added to the last flight blade to distribute dirt and debris away from the first flight blade on the subsequent auger length. The auger length is reinforced against the twisting torque and compressive forces that occur at the first and last flight blade.

Abstract: A brace or gusset is added to the first and last flight blade of an auger length for stability and reinforcement. The braces are generally box shaped with the flight blade as the box bottom. The brace walls are welded together along with a top panel. The brace is adjacent the auger shaft on one end and complementary shaped on one side to conform to the shape of the flight helix. A deflector is added to the last flight blade to distribute dirt and debris away from the first flight blade on the subsequent auger length. The auger length is reinforced against the twisting torque and compressive forces that occur at the first and last flight blade.

Abstract: The invention includes a pair of swivels for use with an auger boring machine. One of the swivels allows for rotation of a first auger of a first auger assembly connected to the trailing end of a pilot tube without rotating the pilot tube. The other swivel allows for rotation of a larger diameter second auger connected to the trailing end of the first auger assembly without rotating the first auger. Each of the swivels includes a thrust bearing.

Abstract: A pilot tube drive assembly used with an auger boring machine includes a height adjustment mechanism for aligning the pilot tube path of travel with an axis about which an auger of the machine rotates during trenchless installation of underground pipe. A drive mechanism mounted on a drive assembly frame drives the pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the ground for guiding the auger. The height adjustment mechanism may include shorter and taller mounting assemblies which are typically removably mounted on the drive assembly frame. The shorter and taller mounting assemblies may be alternately mounted on the frame at the same location. Typically, the mounting assemblies are removably mounted on spaced rails of an auger boring machine frame via mounting legs which are removably inserted into openings in the spaced rails by an actuating mechanism between the rails.

Abstract: A pilot tube for an auger boring machine has a lubrication through passage formed therein through which water or another lubricant may be pumped during the driving of the pilot tube to facilitate formation of a pilot hole in the earth which is subsequently followed by an auger in forming a trenchless hole for laying underground pipe. Preferably, the lubrication passage extends to exit openings adjacent or on a steering head. A lubrication feed swivel is connected the trailing end of the pilot tube for feeding the water into the pilot tube while allowing rotation of the pilot tube for the steering thereof during the process of driving the pilot tube.

Abstract: An auger boring machine includes a two-stage guidance control system for controlling a pilot tube during formation of an underground pilot hole which is subsequently followed by an auger to form a larger hole for installation of underground pipe. The system includes a first stage guidance control mechanism for guiding the pilot tube during a first stage of driving the pilot tube and a second stage guidance control mechanism for guiding the pilot tube during a second subsequent stage of driving the pilot tube. The first stage mechanism typically includes a theodolite which allows for pilot tube control during the first several hundred feet of pilot hole formation. The second stage mechanism typically includes a sonar sensor such as a radio frequency receiver for sensing signals transmitted from within the pilot tube and allows for pilot tube control when the first stage mechanism is no longer functional.

Abstract: The invention includes a pair of swivels for use with an auger boring machine. One of the swivels allows for rotation of a first auger of a first auger assembly connected to the trailing end of a pilot tube without rotating the pilot tube. The other swivel allows for rotation of a larger diameter second auger connected to the trailing end of the first auger assembly without rotating the first auger. Each of the swivels includes a thrust bearing.

Abstract: A pilot tube drive assembly used with an auger boring machine includes a height adjustment mechanism for aligning the pilot tube path of travel with an axis about which an auger of the machine rotates during trenchless installation of underground pipe. A drive mechanism mounted on a drive assembly frame drives the pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the ground for guiding the auger. The height adjustment mechanism may include shorter and taller mounting assemblies which are typically removably mounted on the drive assembly frame. The shorter and taller mounting assemblies may be alternately mounted on the frame at the same location. Typically, the mounting assemblies are removably mounted on spaced rails of an auger boring machine frame via mounting legs which are removably inserted into openings in the spaced rails by an actuating mechanism between the rails.

Abstract: An auger boring machine provides a continuous stroke drive assembly for driving a pilot tube to form an underground pilot hole used for guiding an auger in boring an underground pipe installation hole. The drive assembly preferably drives the pilot tube a distance at least the length of one of the pilot tube segments making up the pilot tube to substantially expedite the process. One embodiment includes a hydraulic piston-cylinder combination with a cylinder at least the length of the pilot tube segment. Alternately, a rack and a pinion drive mechanism may be used with a rack at least the length of the pilot tube segment or even more than twice that length to allow for a pair of pilot tube segments to be added simultaneously to the pilot tube. A lubricant feed system allows water to be pumped through passages formed in the pilot tube and steering head.

Abstract: An auger boring machine includes a common power source for powering a drive motor which rotates an auger and a drive assembly which drives a pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the earth which is followed by the auger. The drive assembly is movable into and out of the operational position of the auger to allow the auger to be mounted on the drive motor. Preferably the drive assembly is removably mounted on the frame of the auger boring machine. An electric generator and hydraulic pump are powered by the common power source for operating various components of the drive assembly.

Abstract: A pilot tube for an auger boring machine has a lubrication through passage formed therein through which water or another lubricant may be pumped during the driving of the pilot tube to facilitate formation of a pilot hole in the earth which is subsequently followed by an auger in forming a trenchless hole for laying underground pipe. Preferably, the lubrication passage extends to exit openings adjacent or on a steering head. A lubrication feed swivel is connected the trailing end of the pilot tube for feeding the water into the pilot tube while allowing rotation of the pilot tube for the steering thereof during the process of driving the pilot tube.

Abstract: An auger drill directional control system includes a positional transmitter mounted on a drillhead at the front of a pipe, the positional transmitter transmitting directional and pitch signals to a positional receiver disposed above the grade at the desired terminal location of the drillhead; the positional receiver transfers the signal information to the positional processor that detects deviations by the drillhead from the desired course of travel and produces a correction signal to compensate for the deviation; the correction signal is transmitted by a control transmitter and is received by a control receiver disposed on the underground boring machine; the control receiver passes the correction signal to the control processor which converts the correction signal into a correction command that is delivered to an adjustment apparatus operatively connected with the drillhead.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a subterranean boring machine includes a drive motor, primary and secondary drive wheels, a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket attached to the primary and secondary drive wheels, respectively, and a chain operatively extending between the drive sprocket and the idler sprocket. The drive mechanism is movably mounted on the sled of a subterranean boring machine that rolls along a track, the drive mechanism being biased against the track by a set of springs to cause the primary and secondary drive wheels to frictionally engage the track. The drive motor selectively and rotatably drives the primary drive wheel which, in turn, drives the secondary drive wheel. The drive mechanism translates the sled along the track under conditions when the sled is not driving a pipe into a subterranean location. The drive mechanism is configured to be largely self-contained to permit existing sleds to be retrofitted with the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An auger drill directional control system includes a positional transmitter mounted on a drillhead at the front of a pipe, the positional transmitter transmitting directional and pitch signals to a positional receiver disposed above the grade at the desired terminal location of the drillhead; the positional receiver transfers the signal information to the positional processor that detects deviations by the drillhead from the desired course of travel and produces a correction signal to compensate for the deviation; the correction signal is transmitted by a control transmitter and is received by a control receiver disposed on the underground boring machine; the control receiver passes the correction signal to the control processor which converts the correction signal into a correction command that is delivered to an adjustment apparatus operatively connected with the drillhead.

Abstract: A ground engaging stake used to anchor and support equipment with respect to the soil includes an I-beam and a spring assembly which engages the I-beam. The I-beam includes a web plate and a pair of end plates which extend perpendicularly to the web plate at opposite edges thereof. A pair of guide plates are spaced from and parallel to a middle portion of the web plate. A pair of cams are mounted on each side of the web plate adjacent a bottom end thereof. The spring assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel springs rigidly attached to one another at a top thereof by a center stop. A pair of side stop blocks are attached to the top outer surface of each spring. Springs 32 extend between a slot formed between the guide plates and web plate of the I-beam. The spring is driven downwardly causing the springs to deflect against an angled top surface of each cam and bend slightly outwardly away from the I-beam.