Method for the installation of pipes, conduits and cables using a surface-launched drilling rig, the HDD process begins with boring a small, horizontal hole (pilot hole) under the crossing obstacle (e.g. a highway, river) with a continuous string of steel drill rod. When the bore head and rod emerge on the opposite side of the crossing, a special cutter, called a back reamer, is attached and pulled back through the pilot hole. The reamer bores out the pilot hole so that the pipe can be pulled through. The pipe is usually pulled through from the side of the crossing opposite the drill rig.