Abstract: An apparatus for and method of installing a pile in unstable soil before a building foundation is installed on that unstable soil. The apparatus includes a tractor; an arm pivotally attached to tractors; a mechanism for moving the arm between raised and lowered positions; a driving platform attached to the arm; and auxiliary weight attached to the front member of the arm. The method includes the steps of placing the first end of a starter pile on the unstable soil; positioning the driving platform of the tractor on the second end of the starter pile; and activating the mechanism for moving the arm between raised and lowered positions to move the arm to the lowered position and cause the driving platform to drive the starter pile into the unstable soil.

Abstract: A segmented piling system and a process of installing the system for supporting a structure on unstable soil. A first or starter pile segment is driven into the soil adjacent the structure. A connecting rod is inserted into the upper end of the starter pile segment. A second or follower pile segment is placed on the upper end of the starter pile segment, over the connecting rod, and driven into the soil, driving the starter pile segment further into the soil. That step is repeated with additional connecting rods and follower pile segments until the pile (i.e., the combination of pile segments and connecting rods) are driven the desired amount into the soil, whereupon the top of the pile is supportingly connected to the structure.