Patent ID: 6675915
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A drilling machine for use with a drill string, the drilling machine comprising:a frame supported for movement over the ground; a tower mounted on the frame and defining a longitudinal axis, the tower including an elongated member that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis; a rotary head engageable with the drill string for rotating the drill string; a rotary head guide slidably coupled to the elongated member for movement along the tower, the rotary head guide including a support coupled to the rotary head; a wear block slidably engaged with the elongated member, a backing bar coupled between the wear block and the support, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the support and engaging 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; and a guide stud connected to the support, wherein the wear block and the backing bar include apertures, the guide stud extending through the apertures of the wear block and the backing bar to maintain the alignment of the wear block and the backing bar relative to each other and relative to the support.