Abstract: In a tunnel driving apparatus, and particularly such apparatus where a work face is supported by fluid, a cutting appliance is employed which is composed of a swinging arm carrying a cutter head. The arm can range over the face to detach material therefrom with the cutter head. Means for driving the cutter head is accommodated entirely within the arm itself and a conduit or the like extends through the arm and serves optionally to remove debris by suction or to convey pressure fluid to the face to assist the cutter head.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine including the following elements: (a) a full face rotary cutterhead; (b) a cutterhead support on which the cutterhead is mounted; (c) a gripper system carried by a gripper support frame for reacting thrust, steering, roll correction, and torque forces; (d) a conveyor system for transporting muck from behind the rotary cutterhead to a dump point rearwardly of the machine; (e) primary propel cylinders for advancing the cutterhead which are mounted between the gripper support frame and the cutterhead support, the primary propel cylinders consisting of a series of at least three pairs of double acting hydraulic cylinders arranged annularly in equally spaced apart locations and in a series of V-shaped configurations between the gripper support frame and the cutterhead support, each such pair of primary propel cylinders having an included angle between the cylinders of about 15.degree. and 60.degree.

Abstract: A horizontal earth boring machine is disclosed of the type in which a carriage supports an engine rotatably connected to an auger, and a push ring. The carriage is movable along a set of tracks between a forward position and a rearward position. Hydraulic means power the carriage between its forward and rearward positions. In one version, the auger and push ring are connected by a universal joint to the engine so that a pair of hydraulic cylinders can raise the push ring and planetary gear reduction unit to an adjusted position above the track in order to accommodate any vertical misalignment of the push ring as it is pushing pipe through a horizontal hole drilled by the auger.In another version, the carriage is pivotal right to left to accommodate misalignment of the push ring.

Abstract: A drill hole in a rock body is collared by drilling a pilot hole into a tunnel, advancing the pilot drill across the tunnel to drill a hole in the opposite wall of the tunnel aligned with the pilot hole, mounting the borer head on an arbor located across the tunnel in both holes, rotating the borer head to collar the hole, and detaching the borer head from the arbor.

Abstract: A device is provided for creating recesses for road surface markers in road surfaces which makes initially a cut sufficient to stabilize the device in the desired position and then fragments and discharges core material within a circular cut defining the recess. Such fragmentation is effected by rotation of a plurality of radially disposed cutting edges each spanning only a portion of the radius of the material to be fragmented.

Abstract: Auger apparatus comprising a driving power train in which one or two auxiliary powertrain boxes are provided, two auxiliary boxes being used when two or more augers are to be driven, and one auxiliary box being used when only one auger is to be driven. The apparatus as a whole can be substantially shorter and closer to the ground than the apparatus of this type heretofore used, which required less excavating of the ledge adjacent the wall in which drilling is to occur, and makes possible easier transportation.

Abstract: An augering machine and method for underground mining of minerals by selectively cutting shallow cylindrical kerfs into the face of a mine entry, comprising a wheeled vehicle having an independently elevatable side arm which carries a cutter head and an attached auger flight, a motor for rotation thereof, and a flight-advancing sump device. A selectively controllable operator-warming system that is usable for any hydraulically operated machine is also provided.