FIELD: mining and construction industries, trench-free laying of underground service lines. SUBSTANCE: driving of pilot hole and compaction of its walls are carried out with the use of ground-piercing tool that includes section in the form of Archimedean screw which is imparted with rotational and translational motion. Major part of consumed power is directed to rotational effort that provides for circumferential velocity of tool not exceeding 3.5 m/min and compensating axial effort is created within bounds of (0-30 kg/cm2)•π•R2, where R is radius of tool, m. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency and reduced cost of driving holes thanks to provision for stable equilibrium of applied forces and alignment of initial axis of puncture to axis of enlarged hole. 3 cl, 1 dwg
