Downcrowdable telescopic augering apparatus

Downcrowdable telescopic augering apparatus, comprising:

• a vehicle having a power-operated boom which has a distal end remote from said vehicle;
• an auger mounted on said distal end of said boom;
• and
• a power and control system comprised of a vehicle power and control system mounted on said vehicle and an auger power and control system mounted on said auger;
• said vehicle being provided with internal combustion engine means, electrical power source means, and hydraulic pump means for supplying electrical power and hydraulic fluid under pressure to said power and control system;
• said auger comprising a cradle pivotably mounted on said distal end of said boom, a kelly tube slidably mounted in said cradle, a kelly assembly telescopingly mounted in said kelly tube, a kelly winch mounted on said cradle and including a drum, a brake for controlling the operation of said drum, and a kelly cable wound on said drum, and a service winch mounted on said cradle and including a drum, a brake for controlling the operation of said drum, and a service cable wound on said drum, whereby to raise a load attached to said service cable;
• wherein said power and control system includes a winch management system for automatically operating said winches to prevent said cables from being broken or becoming slack when said kelly tube is moved with respect to said cradle;
• and
• wherein said winch management system includes service cable stored signal producing means including an arm adapted to be attached to the end of said service cable remote from said service winch and a switch operated by said arm to produce a signal when said service cable is attached to said arm and is taut.