Abstract: A lifting device such as a mobile crane having a main body and a boom, such as a lattice boom, for supporting a pile lead for, e.g., pile driving or continuous flight auger drilling, and a method of using same. A hydraulically operated mechanical spotter arm may be attached between the device body and the pile lead. Electronic position sensors on the spotter arm may be used to measure angular relationships between the pile lead and the spotter arm. Position sensors on a boom box on the boom may also be used. When the pile lead is swung, information from the sensors may be used by an electronic control system to automatically maintain the pile lead in a desirable position, limiting torque induced in the boom. The boom box position sensors may be used to counter-steer the spotter arm to further limit torque. The boom box may also be fitted with rubber springs to permit controlled pile lead deflection while limiting load transmitted to the boom.

Abstract: A lifting device such as a mobile crane having a main body and a boom, such as a lattice boom, for supporting a pile lead for, e.g., pile driving or continuous flight auger drilling, and a method of using same. A hydraulically operated mechanical spotter arm may be attached between the device body and the pile lead. Electronic position sensors on the spotter arm may be used to measure angular relationships between the pile lead and the spotter arm. Position sensors on a boom box on the boom may also be used. When the pile lead is swung, information from the sensors may be used by an electronic control system to automatically maintain the pile lead in a desirable position, limiting torque induced in the boom. The boom box position sensors may be used to counter-steer the spotter arm to further limit torque. The boom box may also be fitted with rubber springs to permit controlled pile lead deflection while limiting load transmitted to the boom.

Abstract: A reinforcing wall, for shoring of excavations, in a deep exaction site is made using a reinforcing pile comprising a length of hollow structural steel, and one or more hollow structural steel channels extending across said pipe for receiving tieback anchors so as to permit said pipes to be anchored into ground behind said pipes when installed in an upstanding position in vertical holes in the ground by installing said tieback anchors through said channels. The shoring wall is made by drilling a row of holes along an edge of said deep excavation site, inserting upstanding piles with prefabricated tieback channels, in at least some of said holes, pouring cementitious material into and around said holes around said piles to form upstanding soldier piles, excavating material from said excavation site to expose said upstanding soldier piles on one side thereof, installing (driving drilling etc.) tieback anchors through said channels into ground behind said upstanding soldier piles.