A machine comprising a frame supported on a movable carrier. A first actuator is adapted to actuate a boom coupled to the frame. A first sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the boom. At least one second actuator actuates a drilling work device coupled to the boom. A second sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the drilling work device. A controller receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the boom and the drilling work device and actuates at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator through predetermined sequential steps to automatically position the machine in a default configuration. The controller further receives signals indicative of data corresponding to at least one drilling hole and automatically positions the machine in an operating configuration.

A directional drill vice and associated methods are shown. A directional drill and associated methods are also shown. Examples of directional drill stem configurations include gripping jaws configured with a common jaw pivot. Examples of directional drill stem configurations also include a slot in a vice frame to allow lateral insertion of a drill stem segment.

Provided is a wellbore tractor and method for operating a well system. The wellbore tractor, in one aspect, includes a base member, and one or more turbines fixed to the base member for rotating the base member in a first rotational direction based upon a first direction of fluid flow. The wellbore tractor, according to this aspect, further includes one or more wellbore engaging devices radially extending from the base member, the one or more wellbore engaging devices contactable with a surface of a wellbore for displacing the base member and one or more turbines axially downhole as the one or more turbines rotate in the first rotational direction.

A directional drill vice and associated methods are shown. A directional drill and associated methods are also shown. Examples of directional drill stem configurations include gripping jaws configured with a common jaw pivot. Examples of directional drill stem configurations also include a slot in a vice frame to allow lateral insertion of a drill stem segment.

A power system and method for the adaptive power control of a drilling rig. While operating the internal combustion engine in its efficient operating range, unrequired mechanical power is converted to electrical power for storage, or use via the electrical bus on the rig. When the internal combustion engine is not required to provide mechanical or electrical power it is deactivated, and then reactivatedelectrical storage on the system in the meantime providing electrical power to the bus as required. The power supply and management system could be retroactively fitted to an existing drilling rig by the incorporation of a generator and electrical storage device thereon. The system and method of the present invention allow for the optimized use of combustion-based power on a drilling rig while minimizing environmental emissions from the idle running of the at least one internal combustion engine.

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 directional drill vice and associated methods are shown. A directional drill and associated methods are also shown. Examples of directional drill stem configurations include gripping jaws configured with a common jaw pivot. Examples of directional drill stem configurations also include a slot in a vice frame to allow lateral insertion of a drill stem segment.

An apparatus, a method for positioning a rock drilling, and a rock drilling rig is provided. The rock drilling rig includes a mobile drilling platform and a drilling mast connected to the drilling platform. The drilling platform is levelled vertically before initiating drilling. The apparatus determines the needed vertical levelling requirement. The levelling causes displacement of a drilling tool line passing through a drilling tool. The apparatus estimates the displacement and provides aid for the operator to position the drilling platform in order to compensate for the estimated displacement distance.

A directional drill stem loader and associated methods are shown. In one example, the drill stem loader operates in a linear motion. In one example, a drill stem gripper is configured to move the completely to one side of a drill stem during a retraction operation.

A mast assembly that includes a mast and a hydraulic circuit for moving the mast. The hydraulic circuit includes a primary hydraulic cylinder coupled to the mast to rotate the mast about a pivot axis and a secondary hydraulic cylinder extending from a rod end to a cap end that is fluidly coupled to the primary hydraulic cylinder. A directional valve is fluidly coupled between the primary hydraulic cylinder and secondary hydraulic cylinder to keep a pressure on the cap end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder greater than the pressure on the rod end of the secondary hydraulic cylinder during all operating conditions.