Abstract: A wrench assembly is mounted on a drill rig so as to have some freedom of movement in three axes. The wrench assembly includes a wrench subassembly having an upper wrench and a lower wrench. Both the upper wrench and the lower wrench are provided with jaw assemblies that are adapted to grip a pipe section or to release it. One of the upper wrench and lower wrench is pivotally moveable with respect to the other to apply a twisting force to a pipe section gripped by one of the upper and lower wrenches with respect to an adjacent pipe section gripped by the other of the upper and lower wrenches. The wrench assembly also includes a generally planar support table. The wrench subassembly is attached to the support table in such a manner as to allow the wrench subassembly to pivot about an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the support table, and in such a manner as to allow the wrench subassembly to tilt with respect to the plane of the support table.

Abstract: A wrench assembly is mounted on a drill rig so as to have some freedom of movement in three axes. The wrench assembly includes a wrench subassembly having an upper wrench and a lower wrench. Both the upper wrench and the lower wrench are provided with jaw assemblies that are adapted to grip a pipe section or to release it. One of the upper wrench and lower wrench is pivotally moveable with respect to the other to apply a twisting force to a pipe section gripped by one of the upper and lower wrenches with respect to an adjacent pipe section gripped by the other of the upper and lower wrenches. The wrench assembly also includes a generally planar support table. The wrench subassembly is attached to the support table in such a manner as to allow the wrench subassembly to pivot about an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the support table, and in such a manner as to allow the wrench subassembly to tilt with respect to the plane of the support table.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid tank for a drilling machine includes a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. The primary chamber is located entirely below the hydraulic pump of the drilling machine, and the secondary chamber is located above and in fluid communication with the primary chamber. The secondary chamber is adapted to maintain a hydraulic fluid level that is above the pump suction centerline of the drilling machine pump as the hydraulic fluid in the tank reaches its normal operating temperature during operation of the drilling machine. The secondary chamber is also sized and configured to allow for thermal expansion of hydraulic fluid in the amount of at least about 5% of the total tank volume as the hydraulic fluid in the tank reaches its normal operating temperature during operation of the drilling machine.

Abstract: An auger boring machine includes a track having an initial end and a terminal end, and the track is provided with a rack. The boring machine also includes a sled that is mounted on the track and adapted to be moved between the initial end and the terminal end of the track. The boring machine also includes a mechanism for rotating an auger on the sled and a drive system. The drive system includes a pinion which is mounted so as to engage with the rack on the track and a mechanism for rotating the pinion so as to drive the sled along the track.

Abstract: An anti-rubbing block 9 for a friction stay, comprising a body 11 for positioning within a track 1 of a friction stay, the body 11 extending above the track 1 to prevent rubbing of a link 5 of the stay on the track 1, and a flange 13 extending from the body 11 substantially parallel to the track 1, during use, for attachment to a slider 3 of the stay such that the anti-rubbing block 9 moves with the slider 3 along the track 1 during opening and closing of the stay. Such an anti-rubbing block 9 assists in avoiding unnecessary wear and tear, especially when the slider 3 has a metal surface.

Abstract: A friction slider 1 for a friction stay, comprising a body 3, preferably formed of metal, for attachment to struts of a stay, the metal body 3 being shaped to fit and be retained within a channel of the stay, a plastics skin 5 overlaying the metal body 3 to separate the metal body 3 from the channel of a stay, during use, and adjustable means 7 cooperating with the metal body 3 for driving the plastics skin 5 away from the metal body 3 to adjust the friction between the slider 1 and the channel of the stay, during use.