Device and method for handling drill string components, as well as rock drilling rig

A handling device for handling drill string components in a rock drilling rig, including a rotator device, which is arranged for rotation and driving a drill string and is moveable to and fro, supported by a feed beam, wherein the handling device includes a gripper unit for gripping drill string components that are to be put into and be brought out from an active drill string position of the rock drilling rig, and wherein the gripper unit includes grippers operational for gripping components positioned in a gripping position, which defines a grip position axis, wherein

• the gripper unit is supported swingable in a plane which is in parallel with the drill string axis in the rig between:
• a) a first position corresponding to said active drill string position, wherein the gripper unit is positioned for engagement with an end portion of a first of said drill string components and an end portion of a second of said drill string components and, wherein the gripper unit is aligned with the drill string in said active drill string position, and
• b) a second position corresponding to a delivering position, wherein the gripper unit is positioned for engagement with an end portion of one said drill string component in said delivering position for said drill string components that are to be brought into, or respectively, taken away from said active drill string position,
• said gripper unit including at least two sets of grippers, one of said set of grippers provided for gripping said first drill string component in said first position, and another of said set of grippers provided for gripping said second drill string component in said first position.