A guide for a top drive unit includes a lower track member connected to a lower mast section and an upper track member connected to an upper mast section and telescoped with the lower track section. A slider is slidably positioned about the upper track member so the slider is movable along the upper track member. The slider has a lateral cross-sectional profile substantially the same size and shape as a lateral cross-sectional profile of the lower track member. The skate is slidably positioned about the lower track member to be movable along the lower track member and onto the slider. The skate travels along the upper track member via the slider. The skate is connectable to a top drive unit so the top drive unit is movable along the lower track member and the upper track member.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a drilling tool replacement apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a drilling tool holder adapted to receive one or more drilling tools; a drilling tool lifter adapted to move a drilling tool between a first position and an elevated orientation; and a transfer apparatus adapted to transfer a drilling tool from the drilling tool holder to the drilling tool lifter.

A mast assembly for a mobile drilling machine may comprise: a mast frame including a back, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side diverging from the back to form an open front along substantially an entire length of the mast frame; a drill motor assembly movably attached to the mast frame, wherein the drill motor assembly is configured to rotate a drill pipe; and a drill drive assembly configured to drive the motor assembly up and down along a length of the mast frame, the drill drive assembly including: a sheave assembly comprising a plurality of sheaves, wherein the plurality of sheaves include a first sheave aligned generally parallel to the first side of the mast frame and a second sheave aligned generally parallel to the second side of the mast frame.

A drill pipe rack for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The drill pipe rack may comprise a plurality of tubular receptacles extending from a base of the drill pipe rack to form a cup configuration. The drill pipe rack may further comprise a set of bushings, each bushing of the set of bushings may be received in a respective receptacle. Additionally, each bushing may have the same inner diameter, the inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of a drilling pipe segment of the mobile drilling machine.

A bolting and drilling system comprising a vehicle, a gantry mounted to the vehicle, a boom assembly having a first end mounted to the gantry and a second end having a first quick connector and a second quick connector. The system includes a bolter assembly connectable to the first quick connector, wherein the bolter assembly comprises a stinger, a drill and a bolter for stinging, drilling and bolting a roof of an underground mine. The system includes a drill feed assembly connectable to the second quick connector, wherein the drill feed assembly comprises a drill for drilling a rock face of a heading. The drill feed assembly is longer than the bolter assembly.

A mobile well drilling apparatus for a drilling site with clustered wells includes a substructure. A mast includes hinging points and fixing points. The mast is hinged to the substructure via the hinging points, about which the mast rotates between a horizontal and a vertical position. A drill floor includes a first portion hinged to the mast, and a second portion fixed to the mast and moving integrally therewith; and a draw-works permanently installed on the substructure. The substructure includes first and second sub-bases. The sub-bases are parallel and spaced apart. The first portion of the drill floor includes a connection portion facing one of the sub-bases. The hinging points are connected to one of the sub-bases. In operation, the fixing points are connected to the opposite sub-base. Each sub-base includes hydraulic walking devices adapted to move the well drilling apparatus between the clustered wells on the drilling site.

An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.

A mast for a drilling rig and a method for operation thereof, in which the mast includes a first leg, a second leg, and a mast leg actuator coupled to the first leg and the second leg. The mast leg actuator is configured to expand so as to pivot the first and second legs apart, and the mast leg actuator is configured to collapse so as to pivot the first and second legs together.

A core drill apparatus includes a swing arm pivotably couplable to a mobile platform and a core drill carried by the swing arm. The core drill being movable via the swing arm between a stowed position and a deployed position with respect to the mobile platform. An excavation rig incorporating the same is also provided.

A system for drilling a subterranean borehole. In an embodiment, the system includes a mast, and a pipe rotator coupled to the mast. The pipe rotator includes a stem that is configured to be coupled to an end of a drillstring and a motor that is configured to rotate the stem. In addition, the system includes a guide beam coupled to the mast. The guide beam includes a longitudinal axis and is configured to guide vertical motion of the pipe rotator. The guide beam includes a plurality of elongate sections configured to be generally aligned along the longitudinal axis. In addition, the guide beam includes a plurality of coupling assemblies configured to interconnect the plurality of elongate sections and align the plurality elongate sections along the longitudinal axis.