Abstract: A driving cylinder of a pile driving rig includes a solenoid valve for controlling an operation of the driving cylinder, which solenoid valve, is a slide valve, which is located at least partly at a piston-side head of the driving cylinder, and a stem of the slide valve is at least partly outside an inner cylinder liner in a direction of motion of a piston part. Further disclosed is a pile driving rig comprising the driving cylinder according to the invention.

Abstract: A pile driving rig lower cushion made of material having elasticity modulus of 500-3500 Mpa. The lower cushion comprises two end surfaces and at least one side surface. The first end surface is to be placed against the drive cap of the pile driving rig. The second end surface is to be placed against the end of a pile. The lower cushion has at least one flexible section at the side surface that is more flexible than remaining sections of the side surface in at least one direction. The dimensions of the lower cushion are such that the lower cushion fits snugly into the drive cap housing only when the flexible area is compressed. The lower cushion remains in its place within the drive cap housing due to compressive force caused by the at least one flexible section and friction forces resulting therefrom.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a pile driving rig lower cushion, which is a piece made of a material whose modulus of elasticity is 500-3,500 MPa and which comprises two end surfaces and at least one side surface between them, and in which lower cushion the first end surface is placeable against the drive cap housing of the pile driving rig and the end of the pile to be fitted into the drive cap housing of the pile driving rig is placeable against the second end surface.

Abstract: A driving cylinder of a pile driving rig includes a solenoid valve for controlling an operation of the driving cylinder, which solenoid valve, is a slide valve, which is located at least partly at a piston-side head of the driving cylinder, and a stem of the slide valve is at least partly outside an inner cylinder liner in a direction of motion of a piston part. Further disclosed is a pile driving rig comprising the driving cylinder according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the driving of a pile into the ground by a pile-driving machine using a hammer ram; moving a block for driving the pile towards the end of the pile with an impact energy (Wkin); determining a kinetic variable (Q1) of the impact, proportional to the kinetic energy of the block, when the block is moving towards the pile in the pile driving direction; determining the value of a kinetic variable (Q3) of the return motion, proportional to the kinetic energy of the block, when returning, after an impact on the pile, in a direction opposite to the pile driving direction; calculating a kinetic variable ratio (Q1/Q3); comparing (Q1/Q3) with a predetermined target value (Q1/Q3tav) for (Q1/Q3), producing the shortest possible total pile driving time (ttot); adjusting the impact energy (Wkin) of the next impact so (Q1/Q3) of the next impact is changed towards (Q1/Q3tav).