Abstract: The invention provides an In-The-Hole hydraulic drive unit for rotating a rock drill. A hydraulic motor having a fixed rear trailing end and a rotating front drilling end converts hydraulic power into a rotational drive force. The hydraulic motor receives high pressure hydraulic fluid through a receiving inlet and discharges lower pressure hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic outlet. A drive shaft connected to the rotating front drilling end is disposed within the hydraulic motor. A fluid transfer conduit within the drive shaft transfers hydraulic or pneumatic drill fluid to power the rock drill. The fluid transfer conduit bypasses the hydraulic motor for independent supply and operation of the rock drill. The fluid transfer conduit receives the drill fluid from the surface and transfers the drill fluid toward the rock drill. The drive shaft contains a drill rotator attached to the front drilling end adapted to receive and rotate the rock drill.

Abstract: A ram boring apparatus has a generally cylindrical body with an attached head, the apparatus being connected to a drive rod which pushes the apparatus forwardly through the earth. The drive rod can also rotate the body and the attached head about the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and operation of the apparatus can also be supported by the ejection of pressure fluid from one or more jets arranged on the head and by a hammering mechanism carried by a portion of the body. The hammering mechanism is activatable by pressure fluid from the same source as the pressure fluid supplied to the one or more jets. The pressure fluid is delivered through the hollow drive rod and a control valve in a fluid supply line in the body, in dependence on the pressure of the pressure fluid supplied to the apparatus, selectively directs the pressure fluid to the one or more jets in the head or simultaneously to both the one or more jets and to the hammering mechanism.

Abstract: A new and improved air motor operated rotary earth drilling tool for use with a source of high pressure, high volume compressed air has a circulation control housing, a motor housing, a reduction gear housing, and a bearing housing connected longitudinally in series. The circulation control housing is connected to high pressure, high volume, compressed air and has an outlet opening into the motor housing, and an exhaust opening for discharge of compressed air for flushing cuttings and debris from a bore hole which is controlled by longitudinal movement of an inlet tube. The motor housing has a motor chamber and a sliding vane rotor with a rotary shaft extending into the reduction gear housing. A planetary reduction gear receives the rotor shaft and has a low speed, high torque output shaft extending into the bearing housing. A passageway conducts compressed air around the planetary reduction gear for cooling.

Abstract: An improved high-speed cable-laying apparatus of the type which digs a kerf, lays a cable at the kerf bottom, and refills the kerf with spoil in one pass. The kerf digger is a chainline loop having ground-cutting teeth spaced along its length and restricting elements between the teeth. The chainline is preferably in the form of a narrow upright loop. Rearwardly of the chainline loop are an upright chute for directing cable to the bottom of the kerf and a trailing structure supporting a reel, cable guide means, and angled plow blades for directing spoil back into the kerf on top of the cable. The arrangement of elements is compact and maneuverable and avoids damage to fragile cable even while the device operates at high ground speed.