Patent ID: 7562724
Filing Date: 2009-07-21
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A horizontal directional drilling machine, comprising: a) a drill pipe storage magazine; b) a boring assembly defining a drill string axis comprising a rack frame with an upper end and a lower end, a gearbox configured to travel along the rack frame from the upper end to the lower end, and a vise assembly a the lower end; c) an upper drill pipe transfer mechanism configured to move in at least one linear segment from a retracted position, wherein it is operatively located to receive a drill pipe from the storage magazine, to an extended position, wherein the received drill pipe is aligned with the drill string; d) a lower drill pipe transfer mechanism configured to move in at least one linear segment from a retracted position, wherein it is operatively located to receive a drill pipe from the storage magazine, to an extended position, wherein the received drill pipe is aligned with the drill string; and e) a non-powered drill pipe transfer mechanism synchronizer that connects to the upper drill pipe transfer mechanism and to the lower drill pipe transfer mechanism.