Abstract: A drilling rig mobility system moves a drilling rig or similar structure in an oilfield or similar environment and includes independently controllable positioning shoes attaching to the drilling rig and controllable through separate and coordinated position control commands. Each positioning shoe may be individually addressed to reposition the drilling rig. Each positioning shoe includes a hydraulic actuator and wireless control circuitry. The hydraulic actuator provides vertical and horizontal force in response to wireless control signals for wireless position and control data and instructions with a remote wireless communications device. A cylinder stomper vertically elevates the hydraulic actuator and receives and transfers the vertical force. A foot assembly transfers the horizontal force from the hydraulic actuator. A positioning shoe cylinder stomper and positioning shoe traverse cylinder provide infinitely variable position control. Rotational positioning may be manually or automatically achieved.

Abstract: A mobile drill rig includes a frame structure and a plurality of hinged outriggers that are adapted to be retractable to a substantially vertical position during a drilling operation and extendable to a substantially horizontal position during movement of the mobile drill rig. The frame structure is adapted to transfer a weight of the mobile drill rig through the plurality of hinged outriggers to a plurality of wheeled frame dollies during the rig movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drop hammer assembly including a drop hammer configured with at least two end conditions, characterized in that the position of the end conditions can be reversed when required. Also claimed is a method of reversing the drop hammer with respect to the drop hammer housing.

Abstract: A mobile drilling structure with a base frame adapted to accommodate one or more tractor units to drill a series of relatively closely spaced boreholes in an oilfield. The drilling structure has a plurality of hinged outriggers adapted to transfer the weight of the drilling structure to a plurality of outboard tractors, but which may be retracted when not needed. The hinged outriggers allow the drilling structure to be more easy moved when lateral and longitudinal movements of the drilling structure are required in a confined area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for horizontal drilling are provided. The apparatus has: (A) a thrust frame; (B) a carriage on the thrust frame; (C) a wheel truck, wherein a rearward portion of the thrust frame can be supported in a lowered position on the wheel truck; (D) a king pin for operatively connecting a forward portion of the thrust frame to a tractor; (E) a trailer-leg assembly that can be connected operatively between: (i) the forward portion of the thrust frame; and (ii) the ground; and wherein the trailer-leg assembly is capable of assisting in supporting the forward portion of the thrust frame: (a) in a raised position so a tractor can be connected for towing; and (b) in a lowered position where the forward portion of the thrust frame is in a lowered position adjacent the ground to assist in positioning the thrust frame in a position for drilling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for horizontal drilling are provided. The apparatus has: (A) a thrust frame; (B) a carriage on the thrust frame; (C) a wheel truck, wherein a rearward portion of the thrust frame can be supported in a lowered position on the wheel truck; (D) a king pin for operatively connecting a forward portion of the thrust frame to a tractor; (E) a trailer-leg assembly that can be connected operatively between: (i) the forward portion of the thrust frame; and (ii) the ground; and wherein the trailer-leg assembly is capable of assisting in supporting the forward portion of the thrust frame: (a) in a raised position so a tractor can be connected for towing; and (b) in a lowered position where the forward portion of the thrust frame is in a lowered position adjacent the ground to assist in positioning the thrust frame in a position for drilling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously preloading during installation and removal of steel sheet piles, steel pilings, and casing piles, with a telescoping, articulated boom having a free end for creating the downward driving force, a weighted base to provide support and stability for the boom, a connector at the free end of said boom to engage the piling, a modified resonance-free vibratory hammer, to allow for simultaneously vibrating the piling while applying to the piling the continuous downward or upward force.

Abstract: An improved portable, ground stabilized, drop hammer assembly for impacting a ground surface and adapted to be removably coupled to a driven host transport apparatus is composed of a drop weight, a host transport apparatus engagement assembly, a support assembly supporting the drop weight, and a power assembly for vertically reciprocatingly moving the drop weight to impact the ground surface. A shock absorbing element is carried either the support assembly close to the ground surface or by the drop weight at its end close to the ground. Such shock absorbing material absorbs any movement by the drop weight into the support assembly close to the ground surface to prevent damage to the support assembly.

Abstract: A portable drilling rig 20 for drilling water wells or installing geothermal pipe systems in the ground 22. The portable drilling rig 20 is removably mounted on a truck bed 24. The single I beam mast 30 of the rig 20 pivots to a horizontal position 32 on the truck bed 24 for transport and pivots to a vertical position 34 for drilling, or alternately, pivots to a slanted position 38 for drilling at an angle “A” into the ground 22. A swivel 78 that is normally parallel to the mast 30 is movable along the length of the mast 30. The swivel 78 can be pivoted to its non-parallel position 122 relative to the mast 30 in order to attach or remove pipe segments 126 from a drive shaft 136 provided on the swivel 78.

Abstract: A post driver which is mounted to the three-point hitch of a tractor is provided with a support to reduce wobble of the post driver during operation and to facilitate mounting of the post driver to the tractor's three-point hitch. The post driver has a carriage and a ram movable vertically relative to said carriage. The carriage is mounted to a base. The base includes a mount adapted for mounting the post driver to a hitch of a vehicle. A support frame depends from the mount rearwardly of the carriage. The frame has a vertical member and a horizontal member, and generally vertically extending legs at the ends of the horizontal member. The legs are mounted to the horizontal member to be movable vertically relative to the horizontal member. The legs are spaced equidistantly from the carriage of the post driver.

Abstract: A multiple position stakedown assembly for a horizontal directional drill machine which installs stakes into the ground in a variety of different locations with a single drive head. The stakedown assembly includes a vertical tower that is rotatably mounted on a base plate. Locator ports for the stakes are provided in the base plate in a segmentally circular pattern around the tower. A drive head cantilevered from the top of the tower rotates with the tower to positions where it can install stakes through any of the ports.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for maneuvering and drilling at least one hole at a site location is described as having an engine mounted in a supporting frame, at least part of the supporting frame including members that are adapted to contain a reservoir of fuel and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump operatively attached to the engine, an electrical-hydraulic system operatively attached to the pump, and four extensible bi-directionally driven wheels along with a control panel that is adapted for remote use to control and to monitor the apparatus. A boom, capable of motion along a plurality of axes, is operatively attached and is adapted to receive a drill column or an accessory device, the accessory device being specifically designed to perform a special operation other than the direct drilling of a hole.