Patent ID: 7669673
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An auger assembly for use with a drilling machine for excavating a ground surface, said auger assembly comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft first end is adapted to be combined with and rotated by a drilling machine; wherein the shaft second end is removably combined with a dirt boring head for drilling through soft ground conditions and a rock boring head for drilling through hard ground conditions; wherein the dirt boring head comprises a pilot bit and a plurality of generally flat drilling elements all independently removably combined with the shaft second end; wherein the rock boring head is one integral member removably combined with the shaft second end, wherein the member comprises a plurality of drilling elements; flighting which is helically wound around the shaft to convey spoil to the surface; an attachment plate combined with the shaft second end; and a removable wear cap combined with the attachment plate to help protect the attachment plate from abrasive spoils and help secure the rock boring head to the shaft second end.