A tensioning mechanism for the fluid conductor hoses of a feed mounted rock drill comprises a plurality of fluid cylinders mounted stationary on a bracket supported midway along the length of the drill feed channel. Elongated tubular pistons are slidably supported in the cylinders and are connected to the respective hoses. The cylinders may be charged with pressure fluid such as grease or the like to bias the pistons to tension the hoses and prevent damage to the hoses or interference with movement of the drill.
A rock drill feed support beam comprises longitudinal side plates and a base member which are formed of folded metal plate welded together to form a channel-like support beam with a substantially clear unobstructed space between the members for containing a plurality of pressure fluid hoses which are trained over a hose guide supported by the feed beam and also disposed generally between the side members in the space. A feed mechanism comprising an endless chain is disposed in the channel-like space and includes a support member connected to the hose guide and supporting spaced apart sprockets. One run of the chain is connected to the drill motor and the opposite run of the chain is anchored to the feed beam. A motor is drivably connected to the chain through one of the sprockets for advancing the drill motor at twice the rate of the hose guide and the feed support member.
