Disclosed is a directional drilling machine (10) comprising : a machine body (12) having a forward end (13); a directional drilling device (18) mounted on the body (12) and operable to extend a drill rod (38) away from the forward end (13) of the body (12); and a bearing member (30, 42) operable to extend away from the forward end (13) of the body (12) to engage and push against a surface (58) to counteract a pulling force applied by the drill rod (38) to the body (12).