Patent ID: 6845825
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A drilling machine for drilling a string of drill rods into the ground when in a drilling mode and for removing the string of drill rods from the ground when in a pull-back mode, the drilling machine comprising: a rod driver for pushing the drill rods into the ground and for pulling the drill rods from the ground; lower and upper vice grips for making and braking joints between the drill rods; a magazine for storing the drill rods; a rod transfer member for moving rods from the magazine to the rod driver when the drilling machine is in the drilling mode, and for moving rods from the rod driver to the magazine when the drilling machine is in the pull-back mode, the rod transfer mechanism including a rod receiving location, the rod transfer mechanism being movable between an extended position where the rod receiving location is positioned adjacent to the rod driver and a retracted position where the rod receiving location is positioned adjacent the magazine; a control station including first and second operator actuated switches; the first switch that, when actuated while the drilling machine is in the pull-back mode, initiates a rod transfer sequence that brings the rod transfer member to the retracted position; and the second switch that, when actuated while the drilling machine is in the pull-back mode, simultaneously initiates: a) a vice grip sequence that causes the upper vice grip to move to a clamped position; and b) a rod transfer sequence that brings the rod transfer member to the extended position.