Abstract: A method for converting a kelly rig for handling casing includes the formation of a torque reaction guide with elongate members available at a drill site including for example, any of drill collar stands, casing strings, drill pipe stands and cables held in tension. A method for converting a kelly rig for handling casing may include the step of installing a torque reaction guide in a simple way, such as by securing the track to the monkey board. In one embodiment a torque reaction frame is used for securing between a torque generating device and a torque reaction guide that operates in a float mode to allow for misalignment of the torque reaction guide relative to the well hole center.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses associated with a rotary driven well drilling rig. One method includes providing a rig having: an erectable mast; a head drive unit for rotatably driving drill pipes into a surface; a pumping unit to deliver a fluid through a drill pipe secured to the head drive, the fluid being forced out a bottom end of the drill pipe and up to the surface along the outside of the drill pipe during a borehole drilling operation; and a deck unit pivotally mounted on a turret attached to a set of tracks. This method embodiment includes, while the rig is in a first location, performing a first borehole drilling operation to form a first borehole at a second location; and performing a second borehole drilling operation to form a second borehole at a third location while the rig remains in the first location.

Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: An automatic driller for controlling a rotating primary mover. The automatic driller has a manual brake handle. The manual brake handle has a stroke. A first elastic means applies a first tension to the manual brake handle. A swivel bracket is connected to the first elastic means. The first elastic means provides a first tension onto the swivel bracket.

Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid tank for a drilling machine includes a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. The primary chamber is located entirely below the hydraulic pump of the drilling machine, and the secondary chamber is located above and in fluid communication with the primary chamber. The secondary chamber is adapted to maintain a hydraulic fluid level that is above the pump suction centerline of the drilling machine pump as the hydraulic fluid in the tank reaches its normal operating temperature during operation of the drilling machine. The secondary chamber is also sized and configured to allow for thermal expansion of hydraulic fluid in the amount of at least about 5% of the total tank volume as the hydraulic fluid in the tank reaches its normal operating temperature during operation of the drilling machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses associated with a rotary driven well drilling rig. One method includes providing a rig having: an erectable mast; a head drive unit for rotatably driving drill pipes into a surface; a pumping unit to deliver a fluid through a drill pipe secured to the head drive, the fluid being forced out a bottom end of the drill pipe and up to the surface along the outside of the drill pipe during a borehole drilling operation; and a deck unit pivotally mounted on a turret attached to a set of tracks. This method embodiment includes, while the rig is in a first location, performing a first borehole drilling operation to form a first borehole at a second location; and performing a second borehole drilling operation to form a second borehole at a third location while the rig remains in the first location.

Abstract: The invention includes a pair of swivels for use with an auger boring machine. One of the swivels allows for rotation of a first auger of a first auger assembly connected to the trailing end of a pilot tube without rotating the pilot tube. The other swivel allows for rotation of a larger diameter second auger connected to the trailing end of the first auger assembly without rotating the first auger. Each of the swivels includes a thrust bearing.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises an instrumented drill head for intended use with a drilling machine including a drilling element, such as a drill bit. The drill head includes a case with a rotatable chuck for the drilling element. A first sensor associated with the drill head senses and generates an output signal representative of a first parameter of the drilling operation. A transmitter wirelessly transmits the signal to a receiver associated with a controller. A roof bolting machine including the drill head and a resin inserter is also disclosed, as are related methods of instrumenting a drill head and drilling using an instrumented drill head.

Abstract: A drilling machine including a frame, a tower, a rotary head, and a rod handling device. The frame is supported for movement over the ground and the tower is mounted on the frame. The rotary head is movable along the tower and is engageable with the drill string for rotating the drill string. The rod handling device is movable along the tower and operable to selectively support the drill string. The rod handling device is biased to a first position along the tower.

Abstract: In a method for producing and widening ground bores or for the destructive replacement of buried lines with the aid of a tool arranged at the end of a rod driven by a boring device, the rod is built up from individual sections which are to be connected to one another in a machine excavation (staring excavation). In order to allow the use even of rod sections whose length is equal or almost equal to the diameter of the machine excavation, the boring device, prior to the introduction of a new rod section, is displaced, for example inclined, in such a manner that the rod section can be slid into the boring device, for example from outside the excavation, without interference from the rear end, projecting into the machine excavation, of a rod section which has already been introduced into the ground. As soon as the rod section has been slid in, the boring device together with the rod section is moved into a position in which it is aligned with the boring direction or the rod part which is already in the ground.

Abstract: An embodied mobile drilling rig is made of three sections, two substructures and a mast section, which are easily transported and installed at a drilling site. Each substructure includes a mast starting section; a floor side box connected to the mast starting section; a subbase side box; elevating legs connected to the floor side box and the subbase side box; and a raising cylinder. The mast section connects to the mast starting sections. The raising cylinders engage the mast in order to raise the mast into a vertical orientation and then raise the floor side boxes into an operating position. The embodied mobile drilling rigs are configurable to be transported by road with as little as three major loads, all within legal or permitable load and dimensional limits for most regions.

Abstract: A method for installing a mobile drilling rig at a drilling site entails transporting the mobile drilling rig to the drilling site, wherein the mobile drilling rig is made three sections: two substructures and a mast section. The substructures are placed parallel to one another at the drilling site. The mast section is connected to the mast starting sections located on each substructure. Raising cylinders on the substructures engage the mast and raise the mast into a substantially vertical orientation, wherein the mast is locked in place. The raising cylinders are retraced and then re-extended into a drillfloor raising position. The method ends by extending the raising cylinders to raise the driller's floor side box and the off-driller's floor side box into an operating elevation.

Abstract: A method of automatic drilling of a well with coil tubing or drill pipe tubing utilizes AC motors coupled to variable frequency drives controlled by a programmable logic controller. For example, a coil tube injector is supported in a mast for injecting coil tube from a reel and into a wellbore for drilling the wellbore. The AC motors for the injector are driven for controlling a rate of injection of coil tube by the injector for maintaining at least one drilling parameter such as weight-on-bit, differential mud pressure or rate of penetration. The AC motor for the reel is also controlled for driving the reel and maintaining a relative rate of coil tube supplied from the reel to the injector. Drawworks and a top drive supported by the draworks can also be equipped with AC motors and variable frequency drives for controlling a drilling rate for maintaining at least one of the drilling parameters.

Abstract: The rotatable support for inclinable masts of drilling machines includes a connecting element connected to the lifting mechanism of a drilling machine, and including two essentially parallel planar elements having an essentially triangular or trapezoidal shape, on the vertex of which a coupling element configured for bearing the mast is connected. The coupling element is rotated by two pistons, and is coupled to the connecting element by two hinges having a common rotational axis and spaced one from the other, in order to allow the passage of the piston rods between the hinges.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for continuously supplying drilling fluid down a bore hole while adding or removing tubulars.

Abstract: A blast-hole drilling rig includes a carriage, a mast disposed on the carriage, and a rotary head mounted on the mast for up-and-down movement. The rotary head includes: a housing forming an internal chamber, a hydraulically driven motor, and a rotation transmission mechanism disposed in the chamber. The rotation transmission mechanism includes a gear system having a high-speed power input section operably connected to the motor, and a low-speed power output section adapted for connection to a drill pipe. The rotation transmission mechanism includes an anti-vibrational inertial body forming part of the high-speed power input section for storing rotational energy to even-out rotary speed variations and resist the generation of vibrations during operation. The inertial body includes a downwardly open recess in which the motor casing extends, wherein the motor projects downwardly past a bottom wall of the housing.

Abstract: An auger boring machine includes a track having an initial end and a terminal end, and the track is provided with a rack. The boring machine also includes a sled that is mounted on the track and adapted to be moved between the initial end and the terminal end of the track. The boring machine also includes a mechanism for rotating an auger on the sled and a drive system. The drive system includes a pinion which is mounted so as to engage with the rack on the track and a mechanism for rotating the pinion so as to drive the sled along the track.

Abstract: In a method for producing and widening ground bores or for the destructive replacement of buried lines with the aid of a tool arranged at the end of a rod driven by a boring device, the rod is built up from individual sections which are to be connected to one another in a machine excavation (staring excavation). In order to allow the use even of rod sections whose length is equal or almost equal to the diameter of the machine excavation, the boring device, prior to the introduction of a new rod section, is displaced, for example inclined, in such a manner that the rod section can be slid into the boring device, for example from outside the excavation, without interference from the rear end, projecting into the machine excavation, of a rod section which has already been introduced into the ground. As soon as the rod section has been slid in, the boring device together with the rod section is moved into a position in which it is aligned with the boring direction or the rod part which is already in the ground.

Abstract: A method for drilling wells in which the tubular can be added or removed from the drill string whilst mud and drilling fluids being circulated continuously and kept separated from the environment to reduce pollution. A connector is used with an inlet and outlet for the mud etc. and which incorporates rams to seal off and separate the flow of mud as a tubular is added or removed.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for continuously supplying drilling fluid down a bore hole while adding or removing tubulars.

Abstract: The invention is a multiple lift hoist system for a drilling vessel and use on land made of a mast with a top side and a base connected to a drilling vessel, wherein the mast has a hollow construction for supporting a first and second hoisting device at the top side, a lift system with a first hoisting device located in a first firing line that manipulates a first drill string and s second hoisting device located in a second firing line that manipulates a second drill string both hoisting devices move the strings in the longitudinal direction of the mast, and a plurality of cables and winches disposed in the hollow construction to manipulate the position of the first and second hoisting devices relative to the mast so the first and second firing lines are accessible from the outside of the mast.

Abstract: The drilling machine of the present invention includes a frame, a tower, a rotary head, and a rotary head guide. The tower is mounted on the frame and includes an elongated member. The rotary head is engageable with the drill string and slidably coupled to the elongated member for movement along the tower. The rotary head guide includes a support, a wear block, a backing bar, and an adjustment mechanism. The support is coupled to the rotary head, the wear block is slidably engaged with the elongated member, and the backing bar is coupled between the wear block and the support. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the support and engages the backing bar such that adjustment of the adjustment mechanism moves the backing bar away from the support to move the wear block against the elongated member.

Abstract: The drilling machine includes a frame that is supported for movement over the ground and a tower that is mounted on the frame. A rotary head is movable along the tower and engageable with a drill string for rotating the drill string. A pull down cable is connected to the rotary head for pulling the rotary head downward for pushing the drill string into the ground. A pull back cable is connected to the rotary head for pulling the rotary head upward for pulling the drill string out of the ground. The pull back cable is subject to a slack condition in response to elastic stretch of the pull down cable. A slack take-up device is connected to the pull back cable to remove the slack created in the pull back cable by the elastic stretch of the pull down cable.

Abstract: A continuous feed drilling system and controller includes a head assembly having first and second chucks synchronized to rotate at the same rotational velocity. The chucks are independently moveable within the head assembly and their positions are measured by linear transducers. The controller causes the first chuck to engage with a drill stem and begin rotating and advancing. The controller uses the outputs of the linear transducers to determine the linear velocity of the advancing first chuck and synchronize the linear velocity of the first and second chucks. The controller then causes the second chuck to engage the drill stem and causes the first chuck to release the drill stem. The process is repeated, alternating the roles of the first and second chucks, thus creating a continuous drilling motion.

Abstract: A post hole digger (10) has a frame (11) attached to a three-point linkage of a tractor (12). A boom (20) has its proximal end pivotally connected to the frame (11), and an auger (31) is pivotally mounted to the distal end of the boom (20). The boom (20) is formed by a pair of laterally spaced arms (21), each of which is an integrally formed angled arm. The boom arms (21) are bent from straight lengths of steel in a cold working process, to reduce manufacturing time and cost.

Abstract: A continuous feed drilling system and controller includes a head assembly having first and second chucks synchronized to rotate at the same rotational velocity. The chucks are independently moveable within the head assembly and their positions are measured by linear transducers. The controller causes the first chuck to engage with a drill stem and begin rotating and advancing. The controller uses the outputs of the linear transducers to determine the linear velocity of the advancing first chuck and synchronize the linear velocity of the first and second chucks. The controller then causes the second chuck to engage the drill stem and causes the first chuck to release the drill stem. The process is repeated, alternating the roles of the first and second chucks, thus creating a continuous drilling motion.

Abstract: A drilling system (10) for drilling holes into concrete includes a drilling tool (20) attached to a frame (22) that can be secured to a drilling surface (S) of any orientation and permits (1) manual, (2) manual-power-assisted, or (3) stand-mounted, hands-free operation of the drilling tool (20). The system (10) utilizes air pressure, vacuum, gas regulating system, or even magnetism, to secure the frame (22) of the drilling tool (20) to the surface (S) and to control the movement of a drill bit (34) with respect to the surface (S). A fluid delivery system (80) is used to facilitate certain actions of the drill bit (34) and to effectively remove debris resulting from drilling from the drilling site. Also disclosed are related methods of drilling holes into concrete that reduce noise, mess, and debris resulting from drilling.

Abstract: A drive head for supporting a soil sampling tube in a drive assembly in which the head and tube are driven into the ground by a power source connected to the head or to at least one drive rod connected to the head. The drive head has a body portion in the configuration of a truncated cones, which is provided with an integral upper threaded nipple for attaching to the drive rod, and an integral lower threaded nipple for attaching to the sampling tube. The drive head has, in addition, a solid body provided with a venting passageway that extends from the lower threaded nipple to an outer surface of the truncated cone for venting air from the head and tube when the head and tube are driven into the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boring device and a boring method for producing a bore with a casing tube, which is introduced into the soil prior to an excavation. The boring device has a linkage, a boring tool, which can be fixed to the lower end of the linkage, a mounting frame for mounting on the casing tube, a drive and a connecting device, which is used for producing a rotary connection between the casing tube and the mounting frame. The linkage is hollow and has a first and a second flushing line. In the vicinity of the upper end of the linkage are provided a first connection for the supply of a fluid to the first flushing line and a second connection for removing the borings via the second flushing line.

Abstract: The drilling machine of the present invention includes a frame, a tower, a rotary head, and a rotary head guide. The tower is mounted on the frame and includes an elongated member. The rotary head is engageable with the drill string and slidably coupled to the elongated member for movement along the tower. The rotary head guide includes a support, a wear block, a backing bar, and an adjustment mechanism. The support is coupled to the rotary head, the wear block is slidably engaged with the elongated member, and the backing bar is coupled between the wear block and the support. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the support and engages the backing bar such that adjustment of the adjustment mechanism moves the backing bar away from the support to move the wear block against the elongated member.

Abstract: The drilling machine includes a base member that is mounted on a deck for pivotal movement relative to an opening in the deck. A lower wrench is mounted on the base member for pivotal movement therewith relative to the deck and for movement relative to the base member such that the lower wrench is engageable with flat surfaces of a lower drill rod. An upper wrench is movable relative to the deck and engageable with flat surfaces of an upper drill rod such that pivotal movement of the base member relative to the deck when the upper wrench engages the upper drill rod and when the lower wrench engages the lower drill rod rotates the lower drill rod relative to the upper drill rod to break the joint between the upper and lower drill rods.

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 support for supporting a power tool (3) on a displacement carriage (2) and including an attachment element (7) for connecting the power tool (3) with the carriage (2), and a bolt insertable into an eyelet (8) of the power tool (9) for releasably connecting the attachment element (7) with the power tool (3) with the bolt (6) having axial and radial conduits (12, 13) communicating with an outer cylindrical surface of the bolt (6), so that predetermined position of the bolt (6) in the eyelet (8), a drilling fluid can be delivered through the bolt (6) to fluid conduits (4) of the power tool (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting and removing a flexible first material into a second material (20) includes a moveable carriage (22). An adjustable clamp (24) is connected to the moveable carriage (22), adjustable between an open position and a clamped position on the first flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, a receiver stiffener casing (26) is configured to receive and support the flexible first material as the flexible first material is inserted into and removed from the second material.

Abstract: An single apparatus to drill and lift core specimens from an aggregate field includes a frame structure that can be deployed to a workface and is adapted to hydraulically deploy a rotating core drilling bit upon that workface to cut a core specimen from the substrate. The hydraulic deployment of the drill bit is self aligning and does not require complex alignment steps to ensure the maximum cutting efficiency and lifetime of the bit. The same apparatus that can be used to drive and deploy the drill bit can also be adapted to receive and lift the as-cut core specimen from the newly created hole in the substrate. Once lifted, the received specimen can be positioned out of the work area so that work within the newly created circular hole can progress.

Abstract: A drill comprising a frame supported for movement over the ground in a forward propel direction and a rearward propel direction, a mast mounted on the frame in a generally vertical position, and a drill head moveable up and down the mast. The drill head is selectively engageable with the upper end of a drill pipe so that the drill pipe is raised and lowered out of and into the ground when the drill head moves up and down the mast. The drill further includes a crawler drive for moving the drill in the forward propel direction, a motor for moving the drill head to cause drilling, and an operator's cab positioned on the frame adjacent the mast. The cab includes a first console and a second console spaced from the first console, controls on the first console for operating the forward propel drive, and controls on the second console for operating the drill head motor.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus includes a platform for positioning at a drilling site, a mast pivotally mounted on the platform, a rod clamp on one end of the mast for clamping a drill rod, a casing clamp on the rod clamp for clamping the mast to a top end of a casing carrying the rod, whereby the mast is anchored to the ground during drilling, and a drill head slidable on the mast for driving the drill rod during drilling. By anchoring the apparatus to the bedrock during drilling a core sample removal, the apparatus cannot become misaligned due to reaction forces between the drill and the ground.

Abstract: Boring unit for pile foundations presenting a tracked vehicle facing the mouth of a hole, a mast (5) which is supported by the tracked vehicle, a rotary table (6) which is slidingly mounted along the mast (5), and at least one excavation element (7) which is connected to the table (6) and which presents an boring tool (8) at its own lower end; a handling device (11) which provides for moving the excavation element (7) and for moving further auxiliary excavation elements (19, 20) and which is also provided with a head (12) mounted on a top end of the mast (5) that is equipped with a hoist (13) and a central cable (14) which can be alternatively connected to the excavation element (7) via a drive unit (40) which is suitable for co-operating with the said hoist (13) in order to rapidly move the said auxiliary excavation elements.

Abstract: A hydraulic auger system having a hydraulic motor capable of two speed operation, the motor including an output shaft which may rotate and a connected auger. A pressure sensitive kick down valve unit is connected to the hydraulic motor, whereby the unit determines the speed state of said hydraulic motor, based on resistance to rotation of auger, auger speed, or sensed hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A directional boring device is provided for attachment to a carrier having a power source for providing a first power supply to the boring device for moving the device and a second power supply for operating the device. The boring device includes an attachment frame, and a selectively attachable first coupler for coupling the attachment frame to the first power supply to permit movement of the device. A drill tool assembly is provided that includes a drill head, a drill stem attachable to the drill head, a drill bit attachable to the drill stem and a drill assembly power transmission. The drill assembly power transmission imparts rotational and axial movement to the drill tool assembly whereby the drill assembly transmission is capable of moving the drill head and drill stem in a path generally parallel to the plane on which the carrier rests.

Abstract: A device for connecting a tool to a mechanical drive contains as the coupling element a spring washer coupling or clutch, which is made in one piece from metal and at least in the rotation direction has a limited resilience. Use is made thereof for preventing torque peaks in the case of a sudden deceleration of the tool, e.g. if a screw strikes a wood surface.

Abstract: A coupling for quickly and easily attaching and detaching stakes from the drive head of a horizontal directional drill. The coupling includes an upper coupler member and a lower coupler member. The lower coupler member slides into the upper coupler member, and a pin in the upper coupler member rotates into opposed, horizontal slots in the lower coupler member.

Abstract: In apparatus for producing and expanding earth boreholes and for destroying and replacing underground pipelines or for driving in pipes, a feed drive and a rotary drive having a plug-in coupling comprising a chuck and a locking portion at the end of a string is located in a frame. The string comprises a plurality of sections or lengths having an internal screw thread at one end and an external screw thread on the locking portion at the other end, which at the same time is provided with a key face to hold fast said string section while it is screwed together with the next following string section.

Abstract: A blast hole drill comprising a mast including two parallel mast cords, a carriage, and a rotary head mounted on the carriage and adapted to engage a drill pipe. The rotary head includes a drive pinion on a rack on one of the mast cords, and the drive pinion is on one side of at least one of the mast cords. A backup wheel assembly is on the opposite side of the respective mast cord opposite the pinion and includes a wheel holding assembly support rotatably supporting a backup wheel, a yoke having an opening through the yoke, a plunger threadably received in the yoke opening, the wheel assembly support being slidably received on the plunger, and Belleville washers extending around the plunger and between the yoke and the wheel holding assembly support, the Belleville washers extending between an abutment on the plunger and the wheel holding assembly support.

Abstract: A double-head drilling machine is disclosed, which by changing over or converting small component units can cooperate with drill or drill pipes of different diameters. To this end, drive carriages (16) operating on drills or drill pipes, for example, comprise a carriage base element (32), to which a drive unit (42) is releasably fitted. The drive unit (42) can thus be replaced by a different drive unit having essentially the same geometry, which is designed for operating with a drill or drill pipe having a different diameter.

Abstract: A top head rotary drive and mast assembly for drilling which is adapted to be readily mounted on a derrick of a conventional truck, crawler or other vehicle so as to be movable from a stored position adjacent the derrick to a deployed position spaced from the derrick for drilling. The mast is adapted to be pivotally connected by at least one upper support arm to the derrick of the vehicle. The deployment and retraction of the mast and the top head rotary drive relative to the derrick are accomplished utilizing either a control device for moving a holding plate which is movable along the mast and to which the top head rotary drive is mounted or by separate lifting device. The invention is also directed to a combination top head drive and mast assembly and drilling rig and method for their use.

Abstract: This invention relates to an earth borer system with a frame (48) incorporating a moveable rotary drive (50, 54) for a drill rod assembly consisting of at least two drill rods which can be detachably connected with one another along a bore axis (58); with a drill rod magazine (44) attached to the frame (48); with a release mechanism positioned on the frame provided with a clamping unit (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) that engages in a first drill rod and a breakaway unit that engages in one section of the rotary drive (50, 54) or in a second drill rod; and with at least one transport arm (66) that is attached to the frame and which can move a drill rod released from the drill rod assembly into a standby position in the drill rod magazine (44) or retrieve a drill rod from its standby position and place it on the drill rod assembly. According to this invention, at least one component unit of the release mechanism is mounted on the transport arm (66).

Abstract: A gripping apparatus for resisting sliding of a drilling machine in first and second directions during drilling operations is provided. The gripping apparatus is pivotably mounted on the anchoring assembly of the drilling machine. The drilling machine includes a reciprocating drill mounted on the boom thereof. During operation of the drilling machine, the reciprocating drill generates thrust and pullback forces which tend to move the drilling machine in the first and second directions, respectively. The gripping apparatus for resisting sliding of the drilling machine in first and second directions during drilling operations includes first and second gripping mechanisms which are moveable between a first disengaged storage position and a second support surface engaging, work position.

Abstract: A utility power unit (10) for underground drilling and pipe laying operations comprises a stationary frame portion (12), a movable frame portion (14) capable of performing sliding movement relative to the stationary frame portion (12) and hydraulic cylinders (44) between the stationary and the movable frame portions (12, 14) for effecting the relative movement. The movable frame portion (14) includes an attachment (36) for removably attaching a tool connecting member (38) thereto and a further attachment (40) for removably attaching a rotary drive unit (52) thereto. The invention also provides a method of directional boring along an intended underground path (62) comprising the steps of providing a machine pit (60) at a location along the intended path (62) and drilling a bore along the intended path (62) by means of directional drilling apparatus (10) which includes a stem (30) provided with a drill (68) at a forward end thereof.