Patent ID: 6634443
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A drill rod handling device adapted for attachment to feed frame of a drill rig assembly of the kind which includes a rotation unit and a rod holder mounted on top of the feed frame and which are used to feed drill rods in and out of the ground, said drill rod handling device comprising;elongate guide means which extend longitudinally of the feed frame along one side thereof; mounting means for attaching said guide means to said feed frame; a carriage assembly guided for sliding movement lengthwise along said guide means; drive means for effecting said sliding movement of the carriage assembly; a head assembly comprising a head support frame, holder means for supporting a drill rod on the head assembly, gripper means for gripping the drill rod, when supported by said holder means, and means for feeding the drill rod, when thus supported, longitudinally; a pivotal swing arm pivotally supported on said carriage assembly and extending laterally outwards therefrom; swivel attachment means between the head support frame and the outer end of said swing arm whereby the head assembly can tilt relative to the swing arm about a transverse axis; tilt actuator means for effecting said tilt movement of said head assembly; swing actuator means for effecting bodily rotation of said swing arm and said head assembly about a generally longitudinal axis; arranged and constructed so that a drill rod can be loaded, eg manually, onto the head assembly at a side load position relative to the feed frame, and bodily moved to a loading position on top of the feed frame for axial alignment with the drill string.