A moling machine

Abstract

A moling machine 100 comprising: a clamp 300 configured to clamp at least one rod; and an actuator assembly 200 configured to be operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: in the first mode,

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 5 Examples of the disclosure relate to a moling machine. Some relate to a moling machine for use when installing conduits (e.g., pipes or cables) underground. BACKGROUND 10 Moling machines may be used for creating paths underground that enable pipes or cables to be installed / laid without having to use a trench along the whole length of the pipes or cables. Moling machines may push a plurality of rods underground to create a (pilot) hole for 15 a pipe or cable. The plurality of rods may be sequentially assembled by a user manually connecting each rod together as each previous rod has been pushed into the ground via the moling machine. The pilot hole may be a smaller initial hole that is used as a guide to subsequently create a larger hole. 20 Once the plurality of rods has reached the desired location, having been pushed thereto by the moling machine, a head (e.g., a mandrel or a pull back) may then be connected to the end of the plurality of rods. The head has a larger cross-section than the cross-section of the plurality of rods for use in enlarging the pilot hole. The plurality of rods with the connected mandrel may then be pulled back through the (pilot) hole, 25 which itself was created by the moling machine initially pushing the plurality of rods, to ensure that the enlarged / reamed hole has a large enough (transverse) cross section for the pipe or cable. As the plurality of rods is pulled back towards the moling machine, a user manually sequentially disassembles each rod from the plurality of rods. 30 Assembling and disassembling the plurality of rods is time consuming. It may, therefore, be advantageous to provide a moline machine that reduces the required assembly and disassembly of the plurality of rods. 03 01 25 BRIEF SUMMARY According to various, but not necessarily all, examples there is provided a system for creating a first path underground and a second path underground, the system 5 comprising: at least one rod comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a connector configured to connect a removable rod head to the at least one rod; a moling machine comprising: a clamp configured to clamp the at least one rod; and an actuator assembly configured to be operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: in the first mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, 10 the actuator assembly is configured to move the at least one rod away from the actuator assembly in a first direction to create the first path underground; and in the second mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the actuator assembly is configured to move the at least one rod through the actuator assembly in a second direction to create the second path underground; and an adapter for use in 15 the second mode, configured to enable a removable rod head to be connected to a connector of the second end of the at least one rod. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims. 20 The following portion of this ‘Brief Summary’ section, describes various features that may be features of any of the examples described in the foregoing portion of the ‘Brief Summary’ section. The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function. 25 The first direction may be substantially opposite to the second direction. When the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, a longitudinal axis defined by the at least one rod may be offset from an actuator of the actuator assembly. 30 The actuator assembly may comprise at least one linear actuator. 03 01 25 The at least one actuator may comprise a line of actuation and, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the line of actuation may be offset from a longitudinal axis defined by the at least one rod. The actuator assembly may comprise at least part of a passageway. The passageway may be configured to allow the at least one rod to pass through the actuator assembly. The line of actuation may be offset from the passageway. The moling machine may comprise a wall configured to support the actuator assembly. The wall may comprise an aperture defining at least part of the passageway. The actuator may comprise a hydraulic actuator or an electro-hydraulic actuator. In the first mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the actuator assembly may be configured to linearly move the at least one rod away from the actuator assembly in the first direction; and in the second mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the actuator assembly may be configured to linearly move the at least one rod through the actuator assembly in the second direction when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp. The actuator assembly may comprise a plurality of actuators. The moling machine may comprise a support member moveable by one or more actuators of the actuator assembly and configured to support the clamp. The support member may comprise an aperture that defines at least part of the passageway. The moling machine may comprise a base. The base may be adjustable to enable the first direction and / or the second direction to be adjusted. The moling machine may comprise one or more stabilizing members configured to enable adjustment of an orientation of the moling machine. 03 01 25 The moling machine may comprise a strike alarm configured to alert a user of the moling machine when the at least one rod strikes an electrical cable. 5 The removable head, when connected to the at least one rod via the first end, may be configured to, in the first mode, cause the at least one rod to move in a direction that is different from the first direction. The connector at the second end of the at least one rod is configured to connect to 10 another rod. The at least one rod may comprise one or more indentations. The removable rod head may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit a signal 15 configured to enable the location of the rod to be determined. While the above examples of the disclosure and optional features are described separately, it is to be understood that their provision in all possible combinations and permutations is contained within the disclosure. It is to be understood that various 20 examples of the disclosure can comprise any or all of the features described in respect of other examples of the disclosure, and vice versa. Also, it is to be appreciated that any one or more or all of the features, in any combination, may be implemented by / comprised in / performable by an apparatus and / or a method as desired, and as appropriate. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 30 FIG. 1A shows a schematic plan view of an example moling machine in a first operational mode; FIG. 1B shows a schematic plan view of the example moling machine in a second operational mode; FIG. 2A shows a plan view of an example moling machine; 03 01 25 FIG. 2B shows a front view of an example moling machine; FIG. 2C shows a rear view of an example moling machine; FIG. 2D shows a first side view of an example moling machine; FIG. 2E shows a second side view of an example moling machine; 5 FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional plan view of an example rod; FIGs. 4A-4D show side views of examples of a removable rod head; FIG. 5 shows an example adapter; FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the example moling machine; and FIG. 7 schematically shows an example scenario use of a moling machine. 10 The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures can be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. Similar reference numerals 15 are used in the figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 20 Embodiments of the invention relate to a moling machine. The moling machine is advantageously able to move at least one rod in a first direction and to move the at least one rod through the moling machine in a second direction. This enables the at least one rod to create two paths (e.g., holes such as pilot holes) underground for receiving a conduit (e.g., a cable or a pipe) without the at least one rod having to be 25 disassembled between creation of the first path and creation of the second path which can be time consuming. FIG. 1A shows a schematic of an example moling machine 100 in a first operational mode and FIG. 1B shows a schematic of the example moling machine 100 in a second 30 operational mode. The moling machine 100 comprises a clamp 300 configured to clamp at least one rod 400. The moling machine 100 also comprises an actuator assembly 200 configured to be operable in a first mode and a second mode. 03 01 25 In the first mode, the actuator assembly 200 is configured to move the at least one rod 400 away from the actuator assembly 200 in a first direction 101 when the at least one rod 400 is clamped by the clamp 300. In FIG. 1 A, the first direction is illustrated by the 5 arrow 101. In this regard, the direction of actuation / movement (e.g., the actuator assembly’s 200 pushing direction) in the first mode defines the first direction 101. In the second mode, the actuator assembly 200 is configured to move the at least one rod 400 across through the moling machine 100 (and one or more components thereof, 10 not least such as the actuator assembly 200) in a second direction 102 when the at least one rod 400 is clamped by the clamp 300. In FIG. 1B, the second direction is illustrated by the arrow 102. In this regard, the direction of actuation / movement (e.g. the actuator assembly’s 200 pulling direction) in the second mode defines the second direction 102. 15 As shown in FIGs 1A and 1B, the first direction 101 may be substantially opposite to the second direction 102. Moving the at least one rod 400 across the moling machine 100 comprises moving the at least one rod 400 at least partially through the moling machine 100 (and one or more components thereof, not least such as the actuator 20 assembly 200). Moving the at least one rod 400 at least partially through the moling machine 100 (and one or more components thereof) comprises moving the at least one rod 400 through the moling machine 100 (and one or more components thereof) such that the at least one rod 400 is moving away from the moling machine 100 in the second direction 102. 25 The actuator assembly 200 may comprise one or more actuators (e.g., a plurality of actuators). The one or more actuators may comprise at least one of a hydraulic actuator, an electro-hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator or a pneumatic actuator. The one or more actuators may be a linear actuator (i.e., an actuator configured to 30 cause at least part of the actuator to move in a substantially straight line). Whilst it should be understood that the actuator assembly 200 may comprise any suitable number of actuators, during testing, the inventor has found that an actuator assembly 200 comprising two actuators rather than a single actuator provides a more 03 01 25 compact actuator assembly when providing the same actuation force. This enables the compact actuator assembly 200 to be more easily transported (e.g., around residential areas such as housing estates). The compact size of the actuator assembly 200 also ensures that the size of the pit required to be created for the moling machine 100 is reduced. A pit may be a hole in the ground large enough to receive the moling machine 100. The pit may be deep enough in the ground such that the moling machine 100 can create one or more paths at the required depth in the ground (e.g., for the conduit(s) to be installed). Each actuator may be configured to provide around 36000 newtons of force. Each actuator may be configured to operate in temperatures greater than minus twenty degrees centigrade. A hydraulic actuator may comprise one or more pumps configured to actuate the hydraulic actuator (e.g., by pumping hydraulic fluid). The one or more pumps may be actuatable by an electrical power supply (e.g., one or more batteries, one or more diesel or petrol generators). The inventor has found during testing that the use of one or more batteries, rather than the diesel or petrol generators, reduces the noise produced by the moling machine 100. This can be important when installing conduits in residential areas. The one or more actuators of the actuator assembly 200 may cause one or more other components of the moling machine 100 to move as is described in further detail below. The clamp 300 may be configured to hold the at least one rod 400 to prevent the at least one rod 400 moving relative to the clamp 300 (i.e., not least such as during the first and second operational modes). The moling machine 100 may also comprise a support member configured to support the clamp 300. The clamp 300 and / or the support member may be moveable by the one or more actuators of the actuator assembly 200. 03 01 25 The clamp 300 may be a releasable clamp. The clamp 300 may be manually operable by a user. The at least one rod 400 may be used by the moling machine 100, e.g., when pushed through the ground during the first operational mode, to form a path into the ground through which the conduit is to be located. The at least one rod 400 may comprise a head configured to penetrate into the ground. As will be described below in FIGs 4A to 4D, the head may be shaped to cause the at least one rod 400 to move in a particular direction in the ground. The moling machine 100 may comprise a strike alarm configured to alert a user of the moling machine 100 when the at least one rod 400 strikes an electrical cable. FIG. 2A shows plan view of an example of a moling machine 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2B shows a front view of an example moling machine 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2C shows a rear view of an example moling machine 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2D shows a first side view of an example moling machine 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 2E shows a second side view of an example moling machine 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood that the example moling machines 100 shown in FIGs 2B to 2E may comprise one or more of the features as illustrated in the moling machine 100 of FIG. 2A. Cartesian co-ordinate axes 10 are illustrated in FIGs 2A to 2E. The x axis is defined or aligned so as to be substantially parallel to the direction of operation / actuation of the moling machine 100, i.e. the x axis is substantially parallel to the first direction 101 and / or the second direction 102. The x axis may also be considered to define or be aligned with a longitudinal dimension (i.e., length) of the moling machine 100. The y axis is substantially orthogonal to x axis. The y axis may also be considered to define or be aligned with a traverse dimension (i.e., the width) of the moling machine 100, and the z axis is considered to define or be aligned with a vertical dimension (i.e., the height) of the moling machine 100. 03 01 25 As shown in FIG. 2A, the moling machine 100 comprises the actuator assembly 200 and the clamp 300. The moling machine 100 comprises a frame 110 configured to support the actuator assembly 200. The frame 110 comprises first, second, third and 5 fourth sidewalls 111-114 and a base 115. The frame 110 may be formed at least in part from a stiff material such as steel. The frame 110 may be formed at least in part from a water-resistant material such as stainless steel. In some examples, each of the sidewalls 111-114 and the base 115 may have a 10 greatest extent of less than 800mm (e.g., the length of each side wall 111-114 may be around 800mm). This ensures that the moling machine 100 can be transported around residential areas more easily than moling machines 100 having larger frames (e.g., through gateways and doorways). 15 The frame 110 may be configured to connect to one or more stabilizing members (not shown). The stabilizing members may be configured to enable an adjustment of an orientation of the moling machine 100, e.g., such that the actuator assembly 200 may move the at least one rod 400 substantially vertically (rather than substantially horizontally) into the ground (i.e., the moling machine 100 may be orientated such that 20 the first direction 101 is substantially orthogonal to (rather than substantially parallel to) the (upper surface of the) ground. The inventor has found that this can be particularly useful during the installation of conduits deep into the ground (e.g., 30m to 70m underground), for example, during the installation of heat pumps or wells. The inventor has found that the use of the moling machine 100 described herein for the 25 installation of heat pumps in residential areas is significantly less disruptive that traditional means (e.g., drilling rigs) as the moling machine 100 is much smaller than those traditional means. The one or more stabilizing members may be configured such that the moling machine 30 100 is supported above the ground, thereby removing the need for a pit to be created. One or more actuators of the actuator assembly 200 may be fixedly connected to the one or more sidewalls 111-114 and / or the base 115 of the frame 110. The example actuator assembly 200 shown in FIGs 2A to 2E comprises two actuators 210, 220 (i.e., 03 01 25 a first actuator 210 and a second actuator220). The actuators 210,220 comprise linear hydraulic actuators. As shown best in FIG. 2A, the first actuator 210 comprises a housing 212, an actuator rod 214, first and second hydraulic connectors 215, 216 and a connector 218. The housing 212 may be used to contain one or more components of the first actuator 210 in order to protect the components from damage (e.g., weather damage). The connector 218 may be configured to fixedly connect the first actuator 210 to the frame 110. As shown in FIGs 2A and2C, the connector 218 comprises a female portion in the housing 212 and the first sidewall 111 comprises a corresponding female portion. When the female portions of the housing 212 and the first sidewall 111 are aligned (e.g., along the first direction 101), a male portion may be inserted into the female portions to fixedly connect the first actuator 210 to the frame 110. The female portions may each comprise a threaded hole. The male portion may comprise a corresponding thread. The male portion may be a bolt or screw. The first and second hydraulic connectors 215, 216 may each be configured to connect the first actuator 210 to the power supply (not shown) as described above. The first and second hydraulic connectors 215, 216 may be connectable to the power supply by one or more intervening components such as cables. As shown in FIGs 2A and 2C, the moling machine 100 comprises a mount 230 configured to support the intervening components. As shown best in FIG. 2C, the mount 230 is configured to support the intervening components at the greatest extent of the moling machine 100 in the vertical dimension in order to assist in protecting the components from damage. The first actuator 210 is configured to cause the actuator rod 214 to move (e.g., during the first operational mode and / or the second operational mode). The movement of the actuator rod 214 is shown by the arrow with reference numeral 219. The first actuator 210 may be configured to move the actuator rod 214 away from the first actuator 210 and towards the first actuator 210 (e.g., along the length of the moling machine 100). The movement of the actuator rod 214 of the first actuator 210 may be substantially parallel to the first direction 101 and / or the second direction 102 (for example, such 03 01 25 movement may be considered to provide a pushing movement in the first operational mode and a substantially opposite pulling movement in the second operational mode). The second actuator 220 may comprise one or more features of the first actuator 210 as described above. In the example shown in FIGs 2A to 2E, the second actuator 220 comprises a housing 222, an actuator rod 224, first and second hydraulic connectors 225, 226 and a connector 228 as described above in relation to the first actuator 210. The second actuator 220 is configured to cause the actuator rod 224 to move (e.g., in the first mode and / or the second mode). The movement of the actuator rod 224 is shown by the arrow with reference numeral 229. The second actuator 220 may be configured to move the actuator rod 224 away from the second actuator 220 and towards the second actuator 220 (e.g., along the length of the moling machine 100). The movement of the actuator rod 224 of the second actuator 220 may be substantially parallel to the first direction 101 and / or the second direction 102. The moling machine 100 shown in FIGs 2A to 2E comprises the clamp 300 and the support member 250 as described above. As shown best in FIG. 2A, the support member 250 is fixedly connected to the actuator assembly 200 such that the actuator assembly 200 is configured to move the support element 250. The support element 250 may be fixedly connected to the first actuator 210 via the actuator rod 214 of the first actuator 210. In the illustrated example, the support member 250 and the actuator rod 214 each comprise a female portion configured to receive a correspondingly shaped male portion. When the female portions of the actuator rod 214 and the support member 250 are aligned (e.g., along the width and the height of the moling machine 100), a male portion may be inserted into the female portions to fixedly connect the support member 250 to the actuator rod 214 of the first actuator 210. The female portions may each comprise a threaded hole. The male portion may comprise a corresponding thread. The male portion may be a bolt or screw. 03 01 25 The support element 250 may be fixedly connected to the second actuator 220 via the actuator rod 224 of the second actuator 220. In the illustrated example, the support member 250 and the actuator rod 224 each comprise a female portion configured to 5 receive a correspondingly shaped male portion. When the female portions of the actuator rod 224 and the support member 250 are aligned (e.g., along the width and the height of the moling machine 100), a male portion may be inserted into the female portions to fixedly connect the support member 250 to 10 the actuator rod 224 of the second actuator 220. The female portions may each comprise a threaded hole. The male portion may comprise a corresponding thread. The male portion may be a bolt or screw. The fixed connection between the support member 250 and the actuator rods 214, 224 15 means that when the first and second actuators 210, 220 cause the actuator rods 214, 224 to move, the support member 250 is also caused to move (e.g., support member 250 is moveable by the one or more actuators 210, 220 of the actuator assembly 200). The illustrated example moling machine 100 shows that the support member 250 is 20 configured to support the clamp 300. For example, the support member 250 is configured to be fixedly connected to the clamp 300. The fixed connection between the support member 250 and the clamp 300 means that when the first and second actuators 210, 220 cause the actuator rods 214, 224 to move, the clamp 300 is also caused to move 25 As best shown in FIG. 2A, when the support member 250 is moved along the arrows with reference numerals 219, 229, the clamp 300 is moved along the arrow with reference numeral 259. The movement of the clamp 300 may be substantially parallel to the first direction 101 and / or the second direction 102. 30 As mentioned above, the actuator assembly 200 is configured to be operable in a first mode and a second mode. In the example shown in FIGs 2A to 2E, in the first mode, when at least one rod 400 is clamped by the clamp 300, the actuator assembly 200 is 03 01 25 configured to move the at least one rod 400 away from the actuator assembly 200 in the first direction 101. In the second mode, when the at least one rod 400 is clamped by the clamp 300, the actuator assembly 200 is configured to move the at least one rod 400 through the moling machine 100 (including the actuator assembly 200) in the second direction. As mentioned above, the actuator assembly 200 is configured to move the at least one rod 400 through the moling machine 100 and the actuator assembly 200. In the illustrated example, the actuator assembly 200 being configured to move the at least one rod 400 through the actuator assembly 200 comprises the actuator assembly 200 being configured to move the at least one rod 200 at least partially through the actuator assembly 200 (e.g., between the first and second actuators 210, 220). The linear actuators 210, 220 of the actuator assembly 200 may cause the actuator rods 214, 224 to move along a line of actuation (i.e., each linear actuation comprises a line of actuation substantially parallel to the x axis). In FIG. 2A, the lines of actuation are indicated by the arrows with reference numerals 219 and 229. When the at least one rod 400 is clamped by the clamp 300, the line of actuation 219, 229 is offset from a longitudinal axis defined by the at least one rod 400 when clamped in position by the clamp 300 (e.g., the length of the at least one rod 400 is substantially parallel to and offset from the lines of actuation 219, 229). The line of actuation 219, 229 being offset from the longitudinal axis defined the by the at least one rod provides the benefit that the path of the at least one rod 400 in the second mode is not impeded by the actuators 210, 220 of the actuator assembly 200, i.e. the at least one rod does not need to pass through the actuators themselves, but instead can pass (e.g., bypass) between the two actuators. The actuator assembly 200 may comprise at least part of a passageway, the passageway configured to allow the at least one rod 400 to pass through the actuator assembly 200. As best shown in FIG. 2A, the moling machine 100 comprises a passageway 260. The passageway 260 is defined, at least in part, by a plurality of apertures of the moling machine 100. As best shown in FIG. 2B, the second wall 112 comprises an aperture 122. The aperture 122 is large enough to allow the at least one 03 01 25 rod 400 to pass through the aperture 122. The aperture 122 in the second wall 112 is substantially V-shaped. It should be understood that the aperture 122 in the second wall 112 may be any suitable shape for allowing the at least one rod 400 to pass through the aperture 122. As best shown in FIG. 2B, the support member 250 comprises an aperture 252. The aperture 252 is large enough to allow the at least one rod 400 to pass through the aperture 252. The aperture 252 in the support member 250 is substantially circular in shape. It should be understood that the aperture 252 in the support member 252 may be any suitable shape for allowing the at least one rod 400 to pass through the aperture 252. As best shown in FIG. 2C, the first wall 111 comprises an aperture 121. The aperture 121 is large enough to allow the at least one rod 400 to pass through the aperture 121. The aperture 121 in the first wall 111 is substantially circular in shape. It should be understood that the aperture 121 in the first wall 111 may be any suitable shape for allowing the at least one rod 400 to pass through the aperture 121. The line of actuation 219, 229 may be offset from the passageway 260. As shown in FIG. 2A, the lines of actuation 219, 229 shown by the arrows with reference numerals 219 and 229 are offset from the passageway 260 (e.g., along the traverse dimension of the moling machine 100). In order to assist in guiding the direction of the support member 250 when the support member 250 is being moved by the actuator assembly 200, the support member 250 shown in FIGs 2A to 2E comprises one or more guides 270, 272. The guides 270, 272 comprise a wheel located at each end of the support member 250 along the width of the moling machine 100. The third and fourth sidewall 113, 114 each comprise a rail 133, 134 configured to receive the guides 270, 272. Each rail 133, 134 may be configured to assist in preventing movement of the support member 250 along the width of the moling machine 100. Each rail 133, 134 may be configured to allow movement of the support member 250 along the length of the moling machine 100. 03 01 25 The base 115 of the frame 110 may be adjustable to enable the first direction and / or the second direction to be adjusted. As shown best in FIGs 2B and 2C, the base 115 may comprise one or more means for adjusting 145 the orientation of the base 115 in the height dimension. The means for adjusting 145 may comprise one or more feet. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional plan view of an example rod 400 as described above. The rod 400 is substantially elongate thereby defining a longitudinal axis of the rod 400. In use, the rod 400 may be connected to one or more other rods 400. The number of rods 400 required may be dependent on the length of the path that is required to be created by the moling machine 100. For example, if the path required to be created is 10 meters in length, then the total extent of all the assembled / connected rods 400 along the longitudinal axis should be around 10 meters. If each rod 400 comprises a length of around 500mm, twenty rods 400 may be required to create a path around 10 meters in length. In order to connect the rod 400 to one or more other rods 400, a first end of the rod 400 comprises a connector configured to connect a removable rod head to the rod 400. FIG. 3 shows an example of the connecter 401 of the first end of the rod 400. The example connector 401 comprises a male portion configured to be received by a corresponding female portion of the removable rod head. The male portion of the connector 401 may also be configured to be received by a corresponding female portion of another rod of the one or more rods. The male portion may comprise a thread which corresponds with a thread of the female portion of the removable head or the female portion of another rod. In other examples, the connector at the first end of the rod 400 may be a female portion to connect to the removable rod head. A second end of the rod 400 comprises a connector configured to connect to an adapter and / or optionally another rod. FIG. 3 shows an example of the connector 402 of the second end of the rod 400. The example connector 402 comprises a female portion configured to receive a corresponding male portion of another rod 400 or an adapter. The female portion may comprise a thread which corresponds with a thread of the male portion of another rod 400 or the male portion of the adapter. In other examples, the connector at the second end of the rod 400 may be a male portion to connect to another rod 400 or the adapter. 03 01 25 The at least one rod 400 may comprise any suitable number of rods 400 connected to each other via their respective connectors 401 at their respective first ends and / or connectors 402 at their respective second ends. 5 The rod 400 may comprise one or more indentations 411,412,413. The rod 400 shown in FIG. 3 comprises three indentations but it should be understood that the rod 400 may comprise any suitable number of indentations 411, 412, 413. 10 The one or more indentations 411, 412, 413 may be configured to enable a tool or a user to be better grip a rod 400 (e.g., when connecting the rod 400 to another component such as another rod or the clamp 300). For example, the one or more indentations 411, 412, 413 may comprise one or more planar surfaces that enables a tool (such as a spanner) to better grip the rod than if the tool was used to grip another 15 part of the rod 400 (e.g., having a curved surface). The one or more indentations 411, 412, 413 may be circumferential. The cross-sectional shape of the indentations 411, 412, 413 may be non-circular (e.g., substantially rectangular). The cross-sectional shape of the rod 400 (other than the 20 indentations 411, 412, 413) may be substantially round (e.g., substantially circular). The diameter of the rod 400 may be around 40mm. The diameter of the rod 400 at the indentations 411, 412, 413 may be around 30mm. The diameter of the rod 400 may be large enough to create a path suitable for installing a conduit in the path. 25 The rod 400 may be around 450mm in length (e.g., from the left of the page to the right of the page). The distance between the indentation with reference numeral 411 and the indentation with reference numeral 412 may be around 150mm. FIGs 4A-4D show examples of the removable rod head 450, 460, 470, 480 as 30 described above. The removable rod head 450 shown in FIG. 4A comprise a connector 452 and a tip 454. The connector 452 of the removable rod head 450 may be configured to connect to the connector 401 of the first end of the rod 400. In the illustrated example, the connector 452 of the removable rod head 450 comprises a female portion that corresponds with the male portion of the connector 401 of the first 03 01 25 end of the rod. The connector 452 of the removable rod head 450 may comprise a thread that corresponds with a thread on the male portion of the connector 401 of the first end of the rod 400. The removable rod head 450 shown in FIG. 4A also comprises a centerline 455 and a tip line 456. The centerline 455 extends from the first end of the removable rod head 450 to the second end of the removable rod head 450 along the center of the removable rod head 455. The tip line 456 is substantially parallel to the centerline 455 and extends from the distal part of the tip 454 of the removable rod head 450 to the second end of the removable rod head 450. The centerline 455 and tip line 456 shown in FIG. 4A are illustrated by the same line denoted by the reference numeral 455 and 456. FIGs 4B-4D also show centerlines 465, 475, 485 and tip lines 466, 476, 486. FIGs 4B-4D show the tip line 466, 476, 486 being offset from the centerline 465, 475, 485. FIGs 4B-4D shows connectors 462, 472, 482 that correspond with the connector 452 of the removable rod head 450 shown in FIG. 4A. The removable head 450, 460, 470, 480 may be configured to, in the first mode, cause the rod 400 (and thereby the other rods connected to the rod 400) to move in a direction that is different from the first direction 101. The shape of the tip 454, 464, 474, 484 of the removable rod head 450, 460,470,480 may be configured / profiled such that, when the tip is forced through the ground, the tip causes the rod 400 to move in the direction that is different from the first direction 101. This can be beneficial if the path in the ground to be created is not intended to be substantially straight. For example, if the path is required to avoid one or more obstacles in the ground such as other conduits. The tip 454 of the removable rod head 450 shown in FIG. 4A is configured to cause the rod 400 to move in the same (or substantially similar) direction as the first direction 101. The tips 464, 474, 484 shown in FIGs 4B to 4D are configured to cause the rod 400 to move in a direction that is different from the first direction 101 due to the differing shapes of the tips 464, 474, 484. The greater the distance between the centerline 455, 465, 475, 485 and the tip line 456, 466, 476,486, the greater the change in direction of the rod from the first direction 03 01 25 101. For example, the distance between the centerline 465 and the tip line 466 of the removable rod head 460 shown in FIG. 4B is less than the distance between the centerline 485 and the tip line 486 of the removable rod head 480 shown in FIG. 4D. In use, a rod 400 being connected to the removable rod head 480 (shown in FIG. 4D) is configured to move in a direction that is different from the first direction 101 more quickly than a rod 400 being connected to the removable rod head 460 (shown in FIG. 4B). The removable head 450, 460, 470, 480 may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit a signal configured to enable the location of the rod 400 to be determined. It may be beneficial to be able to determine the location of the removable head 450,460, 470, 480 when the at least one rod 400 is creating a path in the ground. For example, to ensure that the at least one rod 400 is moving along the intended path or to be able to recover the at least one 400 if one or more rods 400 of the at least one rod 400 is disconnected. The moling machine 100 may comprise a receiver configured to receive the signal transmitted from the transmitter. In some examples, the receiver may be part of a handheld user device. The handheld user device may be electrically powered by one or more batteries. The device may comprise at least one processor configured to determine the location of the removable head 450, 460, 470, 480 based upon the received signal. The transmitter may be configured to transmit a signal that is detectable by the receiver to a depth (in the ground) of around 5 meters. The system comprising the moling machine 100 comprises an adapter configured to enable a removable head 450, 460, 470, 480 to be connected to the connector 402 of the second end of the at least one rod 400. FIG. 5 shows an example of the adapter 500. The adapter 500 is configured to enable the second end of the at least rod 400 to be connectable to a removable rod head 450, 460, 470, 480. The adapter 500 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a shaft 510 and a male portion 501, 502 extending from each end of the shaft 510. Each male portion 501, 502 may be 03 01 25 configured to connect to a second end of the at least one rod 400. For example, the connector 452, 462, 472, 482 of the removable rod head 450, 460, 470, 480 may not correspond with the connector 402 of the second end of the at least one rod 400 (i.e., the connector 452, 462, 472, 482 of the removable rod head 450, 460, 470, 480 may not be able to directly connect to the connector 402 of the second end of the at least one rod 400). The adapter 500 comprising two male portions 501, 502 enables the second end of the at least one rod 400 to be connected (via the adapter) to the removable rod head 450, 460, 470, 480. FIG. 6 shows an example moling machine 100 comprising a plurality of features as described above. For example, the moling machine 100 comprises the frame 110, the support assembly 200, support member 250, clamp 300 and at least one rod 400 as described above. The moling machine 100 is shown, in use, located in a trench or pit in the ground. The inventors have found that the moling machine 100 having a more compact layout means that the pit required to be initially formed in order to install a conduit is significantly smaller than for existing moling machines. FIG. 7 shows a scenario of using the moling machine 100. FIG. 7 schematically shows an example environment 700 in which the moling machine 100 is located. The environment 700 comprises a first road 701, a second road 702 and a central reservation 703 between the roads 701, 702. It may be beneficial to install a conduit into the ground beneath the roads 701, 702. In an example in which the environment 700 is a residential area, the conduit may be a water pipe to supply water to and / from the houses within the residential area. In order to install the conduit, a path underneath both the roads is required to be created. Advantageously, as will be discussed below, the moling machine 100 as described above may reduce the time required to create the path as compared to the time 03 01 25 required to make a path under both roads by conventional moling machines. This is because the moling machine 100 as described above may reduce the overall number of rods that are required to be assembled and disassembled when creating the path under both roads. In the example shown in FIG.7, a user may form a pit 711 in the central reservation 703. The pit 711 may be configured to receive the moling machine 100. The pit 711 may be deep enough such that the moling machine 100 is located at the required level beneath the ground to create at least a part of the path. In order to orientate (e.g., level) the moling machine 100 in the pit 711 to the desired orientation, a user may adjust one or more of the means for adjusting 145 of the moling machine 100. A user may configure the moling machine 100 to be in the first mode as described above. In the first mode and when a first rod 400 is clamped by the clamp 300, the moling machine 100 may move the first rod in the first direction 101 away from the actuator assembly 200. Initially, a single first rod may be clamped by the clamp 300. The actuator assembly 200 may then move / drive the rod into a side wall of the pit 711 (e.g., by moving the support member 250 from the location shown in FIG. 6 to abut against the second wall 112 of the frame 110. The movement of the support member 250 from the actuator assembly 200 to the front wall 112 may be considered to be a forward stroke (e.g., towards a first sidewall of the pit 711). Once the first forward stroke has occurred, the rod is then unclamped from the clamp 300. The support member 250 of the moling machine 100 is then moved from the front wall 112 back towards the actuator assembly 200 by the actuator assembly 200 (i.e., in the second direction 102). The movement of the support member 250 from the front wall 112 to the actuator assembly 200 may be considered to be a backward stroke (in a direction away from the first sidewall of the pit 711). 03 01 25 Once the backward stroke is completed, a user may connect a second rod to the first rod. In order to the connect the first and second rods, the first rod may comprise the connector 402 at the second end of the first rod as shown in FIG. 3. The second rod may comprise the connector 401 at the first end of the second rod as shown in FIG. 3. The second rod may be clamped by the clamp 300. Once the second rod is connected to the first rod and is clamped by the clamp 300, the actuator assembly 200 may perform a second forward stroke thereby pushing the first rod further into the ground and away from the moling machine 100. Once the second forward stroke has occurred, the second rod is then unclamped from the clamp 300. The actuator assembly 200 may then perform a second backward stroke 200. A user may then connect a third rod to the second rod, for example, in the same manner as the second rod was connected to the first rod. The moling machine 100 may perform any further suitable number of forward strokes and backwards strokes, duly clamping and unclamping the rods between strokes during the assembly of any suitable numbers of connected rods. The total length of the number of connected rods may be substantially similar to the length of the path required to be created. FIG. 7 shows a second pit 712 which is the target location of the at least one rod in the first direction 101. In order for the moling machine 100 to create an initial pilot path from the moling machine 100 (located in the first pit 711) and to the second pit 712, the length of the plurality of rods may be greater than or equal to the distance between the first pit 711 and the second pit 712. The distance between the first pit 711 and the second pit 712 may be around 20 meters. The distance between the first pit 711 and the second pit 712 may be around 160 meters (e.g., 157 meters). Once the first rod of the at least one rod has penetrated through to the second pit 712, a user may attach a mandrel to the first rod. The mandrel may comprise a greater diameter than the first rod. For example, the mandrel may comprise a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the conduit to be located in the path. 03 01 25 At the moling machine 100, a user may unclamp the last rod and attach a removable head 450, 460, 470, 480 to the connector 402 at the second end of the last rod (e.g., via the adapter 500 as described above). The last rod may then be clamped by the clamp 300 (e.g., when the support member 250 is at the front wall 112). Once the last rod is clamped by the clamp 300, the actuator assembly 200 may proceed to perform a backward stroke to move the last rod through the actuator assembly 200 in the second direction 102 and into a second sidewall of the pit 711, the second sidewall being opposite the first sidewall and in a direction towards a third pit 713 the other side of the second road 702. It is to be appreciated that such a backward stroke can be considered, in effect, to be a ‘forward stroke’ for pushing / driving the last rod in the second direction 102 (opposite to the first direction 101 that the first rod was pushed / driven in). Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that such a backward stroke also pulls the first rod and the mandrel attached thereto (as well as all the intervening connected rods) in the second direction 102 opposite to the first direction 101 that the first rod, and all the intervening connected rods, were initially driven in. The mandrel moves through the (pilot) path created between the first pit 711 and the second pit 712 in the second direction thereby increasing the diameter of the (pilot) path. Once such a backward stroke has occurred, the last rod is then unclamped from the clamp 300. The actuator assembly 200 may then perform a forward stroke moving the support member towards the front wall 112. A penultimate rod is then clamped and a further backward stroke is performed. This further backward stroke moves the penultimate last rod across through the actuator assembly in the second direction 102 and further pushes / drives the last rod into the second sidewall of the pit 711. This further backward stroke also pulls / moves the last rod and interconnect rods in the in the second direction 102. The actuator assembly 200 may perform plural such backward strokes and forward strokes with appropriate clamping / re-clamping of the rods in order to move the rods through the actuator assembly into the second sidewall of the pit 711 in the second direction towards to the third pit 713. 03 01 25 Once the last rod has penetrated the third pit 713, a mandrel may be attached in the same manner as to the first rod 400. The actuator assembly 200 may move the last rod 400, and the attached mandrel, from the third pit 713 to the first pit 711 through the (pilot) path created between the first pit 711 and the third pit 713 thereby increasing the diameter of the path. At the actuator assembly, after each forward stroke, a rod may be disconnected (e.g., disassembly) from the elongate plurality of rods by a user, and the next available rod of the elongate plurality of rods may be clamped to the clamp 300. This process is repeated until the last rod and its mandrel is moved back to the first pit 711 and the at least one rod 400 has been disassembled. In effect, a first path underneath the first road is made by sequentially assembling and driving an elongate plurality of rods in the first direction 101 (via a sequence of forward strokes and backward strokes with appropriate clamping and re-clamping of the rods). Once the first path has been completed (i.e. the first rod reaches the second pit 712) a second path underneath the second road is created by driving the (already) assembled elongate plurality of rods, through the moling machine 100 and in the second direction 102 (via a sequence of backward strokes and forward strokes with appropriate clamping and re-clamping of the rods) until the last rod reaches the third pit 713. Significantly, once the first rod has been driven / pushed in the first direction 101 and reaches the second pit 712, thereby creating the first (pilot) path, the elongate plurality of connected rods is not dissembled when being pulled in the second direction 102 back towards to moling machine 100. The elongate plurality of connected rods is, in effect, pulled back towards the moling machine 100 and pushed through the moling machine 100 in the second direction 102 to create the second (pilot) path. Hence, the creation of both of the first and second paths involves just: a single assembly of the plurality of rods to form the elongate connected plurality of rods, and a single disassembly of the same. By contrast, the creation of both of the first and second paths using a conventional moling machine (which does not have the capability of moving / passing a rod through 03 01 25 itself in both a first direction and also a second opposite direction), would require a user to perform: two acts of assembly of the plurality of rods to form an elongate connected plurality of rods, and two acts of disassembly of the elongate connected plurality of rods (namely one set of assembly and disassembly of the rods in the act of creating the first path, and another set of assembly and disassembly of the rods in the act of creating the second path). Hence, such repeated assembling and disassembling of the plurality of rods, as required when using a conventional moling machine, may be time consuming and require much user effort to perform. Advantageously, with moling machines according to the present disclosure a path that extends from the second pit 712 to the first pit 713 can be created in a manner that reduces the required disassembly and reassembly of the rods (e.g., by around half due to requiring around only half the previously required length of rods). During testing, the inventor has found that due to the time saved regarding disassembly and reassembly of the rods 400, the moling machine 100 may be able to install a conduit at least two to four times faster (e.g., 120% faster) than conventional moling machines that cannot move the at least one rod across the actuator assembly 200. In an example in which the transmitter is attached to the removable rod head 450, 460, 470, 480, the second and third pit 712, 713 may be much smaller in size. This is because the first pit 711 may be initially dug. The at least one rod 400, with a rod head 450, 460, 470, 480 with a transmitter attached thereto, may be moved to a desired location by determining the location of the transmitter (and thereby enabling a determination of a location of the at least one rod 400) whilst the at least one rod 400 is being moved. Once the transmitter is determined to be close to the desired location, a smaller pit may be dug around the location of the determined location. The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one...” or by using “consisting”. 03 01 25 In this description, the wording ‘connect’ and its derivatives mean operationally connected. It should be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening components can exist (including no intervening components), i.e., so as to provide 5 direct or indirect connection. As used herein, the term "determine / determining" (and grammatical variants thereof) can include, not least: calculating, computing, processing, deriving, measuring, investigating, identifying, looking up (for example, looking up in a table, a database or 10 another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (for example, receiving information), accessing (for example, accessing data in a memory), obtaining and the like. Also, "determine / determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like. 15 In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an 20 example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed 25 that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example. Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference 30 to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above. 03 01 25 Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. 5 Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not. The term ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a / an / the Y indicates that X may 10 comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning. 15 The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in 20 substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result. In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or 25 adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described. 30 The above description describes some examples of the present disclosure however those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of possible alternative structures and method features which offer equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such structures and features described herein above and which for the sake of brevity and clarity have been omitted from the above description. Nonetheless, the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features which provide equivalent functionality unless such alternative structures or method features are explicitly excluded in the above description of the examples of the present disclosure. 5 Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has 10 been placed thereon. l / we claim:

Claims

1. A system for creating a first path underground and a second path underground, the system comprising:5 at least one rod comprising a first end and a second end,wherein the first end comprises a connector configured to connect a removable rod head to the at least one rod;a moling machine comprising:a clamp configured to clamp the at least one rod; and10 an actuator assembly configured to be operable in a first mode and asecond mode, wherein:in the first mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the actuator assembly is configured to move the at least one rod away from the actuator assembly in a first direction to create the15 first path underground; andin the second mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the actuator assembly is configured to move the at least one rod through the actuator assembly in a second direction to create the second path underground; and20 an adapter, for use in the second mode, configured to enable a removablerod head to be connected to a connector of the second end of the at least one rod.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction.

253. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, a longitudinal axis defined by the at least one rod is offset from an actuator of the actuator assembly.30 4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator assembly comprisesat least one linear actuator.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a line of actuation and, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the line of actuation is offset from a longitudinal axis defined by the at least one rod.03 01 256. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator assembly comprises at least part of a passageway, the passageway configured to allow the at least one rod to pass through the actuator assembly.

57. The system of claim 6 when dependent upon claim 5, wherein the line of actuation is offset from the passageway.

8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the moling machine further comprises a 10 wall configured to support the actuator assembly, the wall comprising anaperture defining at least part of the passageway.

9. The system of any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator or an electro-hydraulic actuator.1510. The system of any preceding claim, wherein:in the first mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, the actuator assembly is configured to linearly move the at least one rod away from the actuator assembly in the first direction; and20 in the second mode, when the at least one rod is clamped by the clamp, theactuator assembly is configured to linearly move the at least one rod through the actuator assembly in the second direction.

11. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator assembly comprises 25 a plurality of actuators.

12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the moling machine further comprises a support member moveable by one or more actuators of the actuator assembly and configured to support the clamp.3013. The system of claim 12 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the support member comprises an aperture that defines at least part of the passageway.03 01 2514. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the moling machine further comprises a base, wherein the base is adjustable to enable the first direction and / or the second direction to be adjusted.

15. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the moling machine further comprises one or more stabilizing members configured to enable adjustment of an orientation of the moling machine.

16. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the moling machine further comprises a strike alarm configured to alert a user of the moling machine when the at least one rod strikes an electrical cable.

17. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the removable head, when connected to the at least one rod via the first end, is configured to, in the first mode, cause the at least one rod to move in a direction that is different from the first direction.

18. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the connector at the second end of the at least one rod is configured to connect to another rod.

19. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one rod comprises one or more indentations.

20. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the removable rod head comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a signal configured to enable the location of the rod to be determined.

Images