Combined machine for opening and plugging a taphole in a shaft furnace

A machine for opening a taphole in a shaft furnace and for plugging said taphole by injecting a plugging mass, comprising:

• an oblong mount for supporting a piercing rod or a drill bit;
• a suspension structure for displacing the mount from a parked position away from the taphole into an operating position in which said oblong mount in located in the extension of the axis of the taphole;
• drive means mounted on the oblong mount so as to be capable of developing a pulling force and a pushing force parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oblong mount;
• first coupling means for coupling said drive means to a piercing rod or a drill bit supported on said mount so as to be capable of transmitting said pushing force and said pulling force to said piercing rod or said drill bit;
• a plugging device comprising a plugging chamber to receive the plugging mass, a plugging snout mounted at a front of the plugging chamber, an expulsion piston for expelling the plugging mass, which is fitted and can be displaced in the plugging chamber;
• a support integral with the mount to support said plugging device in a plugging position on said mount;
• and
• second coupling means for coupling said expulsion piston to said drive means.