Patent ID: 8899353

Claim:
A drilling apparatus, comprising: a boom adapted to be pivotally connected to a frame of a tractor, the boom being pivotable relative to the frame about a substantially horizontal pivot axis; a yoke member hingedly connected to the boom and adapted to be connected to the frame; an auger rotatably mounted to the boom at or near the distal end of the boom; a driveline for transmitting rotational energy to an auger, said driveline comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the driveline being disposed proximal to the frame and the second end of the driveline being disposed distal to the frame; a gearbox for transferring rotational power from the driveline to the auger; and a guard member substantially enclosing a rotating member of the drilling apparatus, wherein the rotating member of the drilling apparatus includes at least a connection between the driveline and the gearbox or a connection between the auger and the gearbox.