Abstract: A rotary drill bit for use with a horizontal directional drill string. A coupler at a proximal axial end is configured to attach the rotary drill bit to a drill head at a distal end of the drill string. A cutting portion at a distal axial end is provided with a plurality of vanes with respective cutters that operate to cut a hole in earth when the rotary drill bit is rotated about a central axis. The plurality of vanes project radially outwardly from a surface of the cutting portion such that the surface forms respective troughs circumferentially interspersed with the plurality of vanes. A plurality of engagement features is positioned axially within the cutting portion and radially inward of an outer cutting diameter to facilitate attachment of a product pullback device between the plurality of vanes without removing the rotary drill bit, or any portion thereof, from the drill head.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for use with a horizontal directional drill string. A coupler at a proximal axial end is configured to attach the rotary drill bit to a drill head at a distal end of the drill string. A cutting portion at a distal axial end is provided with a plurality of vanes with respective cutters that operate to cut a hole in earth when the rotary drill bit is rotated about a central axis. The plurality of vanes project radially outwardly from a surface of the cutting portion such that the surface forms respective troughs circumferentially interspersed with the plurality of vanes. A plurality of engagement features is positioned axially within the cutting portion and radially inward of an outer cutting diameter to facilitate attachment of a product pullback device between the plurality of vanes without removing the rotary drill bit, or any portion thereof, from the drill head.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for use with a horizontal directional drill string. A coupler at a proximal axial end is configured to attach the rotary drill bit to a drill head at a distal end of the drill string. A cutting portion at a distal axial end is provided with a plurality of vanes with respective cutters that operate to cut a hole in earth when the rotary drill bit is rotated about a central axis. The plurality of vanes project radially outwardly from a surface of the cutting portion such that the surface forms respective troughs circumferentially interspersed with the plurality of vanes. A plurality of engagement features is positioned axially within the cutting portion and radially inward of an outer cutting diameter to facilitate attachment of a product pullback device between the plurality of vanes without removing the rotary drill bit, or any portion thereof, from the drill head.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system includes a drill head that includes a drive coupling with a central bore that is a through bore. The drill head includes a drive shaft that has an enlarged portion at a downhole end that defines a centroid positioned within the central bore of the drive coupling. The drive shaft includes a drive shaft axis that is misaligned and intersects with an end casing axis of an end casing at a balance point of the drill head. The centroid of the drive shaft is positioned to be coincident with the balance point of the drill head.

Abstract: A pullback device for attaching to a rotary drill bit that has a pair of wrench flats on its base without disassembling or removing the rotary drill bit from a drill string. The pullback device includes an anchoring portion including a collar configured to engage with the wrench flats of the rotary drill bit. The pullback device includes a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms having a first end including an attachment location configured to attach product to the pullback device for pullback of the product by the drill string, and each of the arms including a second end opposite the first end, the second end attached to the collar.

Abstract: A pullback system for installing product in a hole includes a rotary drill bit having a plurality of cutter elements, and a pullback device that is attachable to the rotary drill bit without disassembling the rotary drill bit or removing the rotary drill bit from a drill string. The pullback device includes a frame member and a plurality of anchor arms. Each anchor arm has a first end coupled to the frame member and a second end. Each anchor arm is configured to extend between adjacent cutter elements of the rotary drill bit. An attachment location can be used to attach product to the pullback device.

Abstract: A drill head includes a drive shaft that has an uphole end and a downhole end. The downhole end includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drill head also includes a coupling that includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drive features of the coupling are sized and shaped to mate with the drive features of the drive shaft. The coupling includes an axial fluid flow passage and a radial fluid flow passage. The radial fluid flow passage is in communication with the axial fluid passage, and fluid flow is permitted between the drive features of the drive shaft and the drive features of the coupling.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system includes a drill head that includes a drive coupling with a central bore that is a through bore. The drill head includes a drive shaft that has an enlarged portion at a downhole end that defines a centroid positioned within the central bore of the drive coupling. The drive shaft includes a drive shaft axis that is misaligned and intersects with an end casing axis of an end casing at a balance point of the drill head. The centroid of the drive shaft is positioned to be coincident with the balance point of the drill head.

Abstract: A pullback device for attaching to a rotary drill bit that has a pair of wrench flats on its base without disassembling or removing the rotary drill bit from a drill string. The pullback device includes an anchoring portion including a collar configured to engage with the wrench flats of the rotary drill bit. The pullback device includes a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms having a first end including an attachment location configured to attach product to the pullback device for pullback of the product by the drill string, and each of the arms including a second end opposite the first end, the second end attached to the collar.

Abstract: A pullback system for installing product in a hole includes a rotary drill bit having a plurality of cutter elements, and a pullback device that is attachable to the rotary drill bit without disassembling the rotary drill bit or removing the rotary drill bit from a drill string. The pullback device includes a frame member and a plurality of anchor arms. Each anchor arm has a first end coupled to the frame member and a second end. Each anchor arm is configured to extend between adjacent cutter elements of the rotary drill bit. An attachment location can be used to attach product to the pullback device.

Abstract: A drill head includes a drive shaft that has an uphole end and a downhole end. The downhole end includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drill head also includes a coupling that includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drive features of the coupling are sized and shaped to mate with the drive features of the drive shaft. The coupling includes an axial fluid flow passage and a radial fluid flow passage. The radial fluid flow passage is in communication with the axial fluid passage, and fluid flow is permitted between the drive features of the drive shaft and the drive features of the coupling.

Abstract: A vibratory plow has a lift bracket. The lift bracket couples to an upper link by an upper spring having an upper energy absorptive member. The upper spring and upper energy absorptive member are configured to limit upper link movement relative to the lift bracket in a first direction. The lift bracket is coupled to the upper link by a lower spring having a lower energy absorptive member; the lower spring and lower energy absorptive member are configured to limit upper link movement relative to the lift bracket in a direction opposite the first direction. The upper link is coupled to a shaker box which is attached to a plow blade. The shaker box is configured to travel from a baseline position a first distance greater than two inches in the first direction before the upper spring compresses enough that the upper energy absorptive member dampens shaker box movement.