The article is devoted to the issue of automatic adjustment of the drilling machine to operating modes close to optimal. Information about the method of automatic control of the rotational drilling process is provided. The essence of the method consists in a special design of the drive, in which the work of the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic cylinder are connected through the working process. As a result of this connection of hydraulic elements, the torque of rotation on the hydraulic motor controls the feed of the hydraulic cylinder. Tuning throttles provide adjustment of modes to the required range of drilling conditions. Depending on the strength of the rock being drilled and the operating conditions of the drilling machine, the drive automatically changes the feed rate, thus ensuring maximum productivity. Several variations of this adaptive drive of the drilling machine are described. A description of the authors development, the drive scheme, and a description of the principle of operation is given. The advantages of the adaptive drive and its disadvantages are shown.