A drill head assembly for securing a drill rod in an operative position, the drill rod having a longitudinal axis , the drill head assembly operatively coupled to a drill mast , the drill mast having a longitudinal axis , the drill head assembly comprising: a cradle configured for movement between a first position and a second position; and a chuck operatively supported by the cradle, the chuck having a longitudinal axis and defining an opening , the opening being configured to securely receive a portion of the drill rod such that the longitudinal axis of the drill rod is substantially axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the chuck, wherein, in the first position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast, and wherein, in the second position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast, wherein the cradle is configured for movement relative to both the longitudinal axis of the drill mast and a transverse axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast; wherein, from the first position, the cradle is configured for sequential axial and then pivotal movement relative to the transverse axis to reach the second position, and wherein, during movement of the cradle between the first and second positions, pivotal movement of the cradle is restricted until the completion of axial movement relative to the transverse axis; characterised in that : the drill head assembly further comprises a plurality of sensors , wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the completion of axial movement of the cradle relative to the transverse axis, and wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the completion of pivotal movement of the cradle relative to the transverse axis. a cradle configured for movement between a first position and a second position; and a chuck operatively supported by the cradle, the chuck having a longitudinal axis and defining an opening , the opening being configured to securely receive a portion of the drill rod such that the longitudinal axis of the drill rod is substantially axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the chuck, wherein, in the first position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast, and wherein, in the second position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast, wherein the cradle is configured for movement relative to both the longitudinal axis of the drill mast and a transverse axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast; wherein, from the first position, the cradle is configured for sequential axial and then pivotal movement relative to the transverse axis to reach the second position, and wherein, during movement of the cradle between the first and second positions, pivotal movement of the cradle is restricted until the completion of axial movement relative to the transverse axis; characterised in that : the drill head assembly further comprises a plurality of sensors , wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the completion of axial movement of the cradle relative to the transverse axis, and wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the completion of pivotal movement of the cradle relative to the transverse axis. <EOS>