Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Jeff Vander Molen

Matt Mills

Terry Allred

Mickey Gragg

A synchronizer device is used for coordinating drill rod transfer mechanisms utilized in connection with transferring the drill rod between a drill rod magazine and the drill string in a horizontal directional drilling rig. The synchronizer device may transfer the movement from a first transfer mechanism to a second transfer mechanism, wherein the first transfer mechanism is powered and the apparatus acts as the motive force to move a second non-powered transfer mechanism. Alternatively, the synchronizer device may coordinate and synchronize the movement between a first and a second powered transfer mechanism. The synchronizer shaft is rotationally supported by bearings mounted on the rack frame of an HDD rig. The synchronizer shaft includes a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end. First and second ears are mounted on or proximate the first end and the second end of the synchronizer shaft respectively. First and second links are pivotally connected to the first ear and the second ear respectively at a first end of the links. The links are arranged and configured to connect to upper and lower rod transfer mechanisms respectively at a second end of the links.

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Pella, IA, United States of America

Jeff Vander Molen