Patent ID: 6651754
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
Apparatus for supporting and moving an earth boring machine in its entirety along a substantialy horizontal track, said apparatus comprising, in combination:a module for releasable connection as a unit to the earth boring machine, the module comprising a support member, a housing connected to said support member, extending from a side of the support member and defining a housing interior, a motor having a drive shaft attached to said support member, first and second track engagement wheels rotatably mounted in said housing interior and projecting downwardly from said housing, and mechanical linkage interconnecting said first and second track engagement wheels and said drive shaft; and releasable connector means for releasably mounting said module on the earth boring machine with said housing projecting inwardly into the earth boring machine, said first and second track engagement wheels being supported in said housing interior by double-ended axles, the first and second track engagement wheels being spaced from one another, said mechanical linkage including an endless drive element interconnecting said first and second track engagement wheels and said drive shaft, and both ends of said axles being supported, with one end of each axle supported by said support member and the other end of each axle supported by said housing, and said axles extending across said housing interior.