Abstract: A directional boring machine is disclosed which is capable of drilling substantially horizontal underground bores of significant length. The boring machine includes a movable carriage, a longitudinal boom mounted on the carriage and a drill head that is mounted on the boom for forward and reversible movement. A first drive normally advances the drill head to accomplish the drilling operation. When an obstacle is encountered, a second drive may be utilized to supplement the first drive to overcome the obstacle. The boom is itself longitudinally slidable relative to the carriage, and the boring machine includes a structure for longitudinally moving the boom between an extended operating position and a retracted transport position.

Abstract: A direction boring machine is disclosed having elongated boom carried on a utility truck along which a drill head in longitudinally moved by a drive chain. The drill head is adapted to receive a plurality of drill stems, the outermost of which carries a drill bit. The boom is split at a predetermined longitudinal point to define first and second boom sections with the first boom section mounted on the utility truck. The second boom section is connected to the first boom section through a mechanical pivot that permits the second boom section to be pivoted between an operating position in which it is co-linear with the first boom section and a transport position in which the second boom section is upwardly pivoted or folded to overlie the first boom section. The mechanical pivot defines a pivot point between the boom sections that is disposed longitudinally inward of the boom split and above the longitudinal axis of the boom.