Abstract: A lifting apparatus for non-metallic piles (10) including a pair of lifting devices (26, 28) which grip opposed faces (22, 24) of the pile (10). A sling (36) supported from an overhead crane (44) is connected to the lifting arms or handles (30) of the lifting devices (26, 28) for lifting of the pile (10). The lifting handles (30) are secured to cams 72 which include gripping teeth (76) effective upon lifting of handles (30) to engage the inner face (24) of pile (10) for gripping the pile (10) between backing edge (58) and inner face (24). A modification shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 provides a threaded screw (86A) which is received within an opening (89A) in the pile (10) for lifting of the pile (10).

Abstract: A protective housing (12) is provided for a sheet pile (10) and has a length extending beyond the upper end (10A) and lower end (10B) of the sheet pile (10). A separate force transmitting member (26) is mounted on the protective housing (12) and has a horizontal plate (28) engaging the upper end (10A) of the sheet pile (10) for driving the sheet pile (10) downwardly upon exertion of a downward force from a suitable power source (44) to force the protective housing (12) downwardly. To separate protective housing (12) from sheet pile (10) upon driving of the sheet pile (10) to a desired predetermined depth so that protective housing (12) may be withdrawn, a fluid pressure device (50) is mounted between protective housing (12) and the force transmitting member (26). Upon actuation of fluid pressure device (50), protective housing (12) is moved upwardly while sheet pile (10) remains in position thereby to initially break loose the protective housing (12).

Abstract: A pile threading device (14) for threading sheet piles (10, 12) and including a box-type frame or body (20) comprising a plurality of connected frame members. An upper slide (44) is mounted on body (20) for relative sliding movement and has a pair of opposed jaws (54, 56) thereon for clamping or gripping the undriven pile (12) for lifting the threading device (14). A pivoted stop bar (70) on the slide (44) engages a side edge (12C) of the undriven pile (12) when the pile (12) is initially positioned on the slide (44)for accurate positioning of the undriven pile (12) on the slide (44). One of the jaws (56) is held in a predetermined fixed relation by an adjustable nut (66) which is positioned at a predetermined position on externally threaded shaft (60) mounting the jaw (56). Roller frames (29, 30) carry rollers (32) for engaging opposed sides of the driven pile (10).