System and method for horizontal directional drilling and product pulling through a pilot bore

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method employed in a horizontal directional drilling (“HDD”) process. An exemplary embodiment includes a drill bit with thirteen (13) or more splines for improved orientation of the drill bit relative to the orientation of a bent sub. Another exemplary embodiment includes a drill bit configured for receipt of a pulling device so that the drill bit may be used in a back reaming step to pull a product back through a pilot bore. Another exemplary embodiment includes a pulling device for mounting to a drill bit. The pulling device, in some embodiments, may include one or more pins for diverting and channeling air and/or fluid through the drill bit to lubricate a hammer assembly and/or the product being pulled as the drill string to which the drill bit is attached is retracted back through the pilot bore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drill bit for use in a horizontal directional drilling system, the drill bit comprising thirteen or more splines. 
     
     
         2 . A system for pulling product through a pilot bore drilled by a directional drilling system, the system comprising the structures described above and illustrated in the drawings.