Abstract: A device for inserting a substantially vertical drainage wick, comprising a movable frame; an inserting lance which is provided with a passage for receiving the drainage wick and corresponding with the longitudinal axis of the inserting lance; a standing guide for the inserting lance supported by the frame; a supply mechanism for arranging the drainage wick in unwindable manner; a drive; a transmission connected to the drive; and at least on drive member coacting with the transmission, the inserting lance drive including a closed loop of a flexible element with one part of the closed loop coacting with the transmission and the other part of the loop fixed to the inserting lance.