Underground boring machine and method for controlling underground boring

A system for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• (i) a hydraulic system for imparting rotational motion and thrusting motion to a boring tool in response to rotational motion and thrusting motion control signals;
• (ii) controls for generating a rotational motion setting signal and a thrusting motion setting signal in response to the position of the controls;
• (iii) controls for generating an automatic boring mode signal;
• (iv) controls for generating an automatic boring mode cancel signal;
• and
• (v) a controller for receiving input signals including rotational motion and thrusting motion setting signals, automatic boring mode signals, and automatic boring mode cancel signals from the controls, for generating rotational motion and thrusting motion control signals in response to the input signals, and for communicating the motion control signals to operatively control the hydraulic system.

A system for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• (a) a power system arranged and configured to impart rotational motion and a thrust motion to a boring tool in response to rotational motion and thrusting motion control signals;
• (b) a first operator actuated control, wherein a rotational motion setting signal is determined in response to the position of the first operator control;
• (c) a second operator actuated control, wherein a thrusting motion setting signal is determined in response to the position of the second operator control;
• (d) a third operator actuated control for generating a signal for incrementing and decrementing a rotational motion setting;
• (e) a fourth operator actuated control for generating a signal for incrementing and decrementing a thrust motion setting;
• and
• (f) a controller arranged and configured to receive receiving the signals from the first, second, third, and fourth operator actuated controls, for determining rotational motion and thrusting motion control signals in response to the signals, and for communicating the motion control signals to operatively control the power system.

A method for controlling an underground boring tool as it passes through a formation comprising:

• (i) pumping fluid through a drill string to the boring tool;
• (ii) setting a rate of rotation of the boring tool;
• (iii) setting an axial thrust of the boring tool;
• (iv) stopping the fluid flow to the boring tool and stopping the rotation and axial thrust of the boring tool;
• and
• (v) resuming the fluid flow and set rate of rotation of the boring tool before resuming the set axial thrust of the boring tool at a set rate.