Abstract: A rock bolting machine for installing a rock bolt in a roof of an underground space is provided. The rock bolting machine can include a vehicle and a boom. A rock bolting assembly can be attached to the boom. The rock bolting assembly can have a drill bolt mast with a frame, a drilling portion adapted to drill a bolt hole and a bolting portion adapted to secure the rock bolt in the bolt hole. The drilling portion can have a drill rod, a drive unit and a drill motor, where the drive unit comprises an input on a top of the drive unit and an output on the top of the drive unit. The input of the drive unit can be connected to the drill motor and the output connected to a bottom end of the drill rod.