A MOLE LAUNCHER AND A METHOD OF OPERATING A MOLE LAUNCHER

摘要

A mole launcher (2) has a hydraulically powered double acting piston and cylinder unit (56) to push or pull a slider (36). The slider carries a drill head (76, 78, 80) connected to a drill string. The other end of the drill string carries a mole to bore an underground passage. By releasably locking the slider (36) to the front of the launcher, the cylinder can be moved between a first position in which it projects beyond the chassis (4) of the launcher, and a second position in which it is placed wholly within the length of the chassis (4). Thus, the mole launcher is considerably shorter in its transportation state than in its operating state.