Abstract: A pile driving system for driving a pile. The pile driving system comprises a housing assembly, a hammer, a helmet member, and a lifting system. The housing assembly defines at least one vent opening is arranged at a first vent location along the drive axis, and at least one vent opening is arranged at a second vent location along the drive axis. When the hammer drops and is above the first vent location, ambient air flows from the main chamber through the vent openings formed at the first and second vent locations. When the hammer is below the first vent location and above the second vent location, ambient air flows from the main chamber through the vent openings formed at the second vent location. When the hammer is below the second vent location, air within the main chamber is compressed to preload the helmet member.

Abstract: A drop hammer for driving a pile comprising a ram member supported within a housing chamber for movement relative to the housing member between the lower position and the upper position and a lifting system for moving the ram member from the lower position to the upper position. When the lifting system raises the ram member above a preload position, ambient air substantially freely flows into and out of the housing chamber through a vent port. When the ram member falls below the preload position, fluid is prevented from flowing through the vent port such that ambient air within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses to create a preload force that is transmitted to the pile. When the ram member moves into the lower position, an impact force generated by the ram member is transmitted to the pile.

Abstract: A drop hammer for driving a pile comprising a ram member supported within a housing chamber for movement relative to the housing member between the lower position and the upper position and a lifting system for moving the ram member from the lower position to the upper position. When the lifting system raises the ram member above a preload position, ambient air substantially freely flows into and out of the housing chamber through a vent port. When the ram member falls below the preload position, fluid is prevented from flowing through the vent port such that ambient air within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses to create a preload force that is transmitted to the pile. When the ram member moves into the lower position, an impact force generated by the ram member is transmitted to the pile.

Abstract: A drop hammer for driving a pile. The drop hammer of the present invention comprises a housing member, a ram member, a helmet member, and a lifting system. The housing member defines a housing chamber and a vent port defining a preload position. The ram member is supported for movement within the housing chamber. When the lifting system raises the ram member above the preload position, ambient air substantially freely flows into and out of the housing chamber through the vent port. When the ram member falls below the preload position, ambient air within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses to apply a preload force on the inner portion of the helmet member. When the ram member moves into the lower position, the ram member impacts the helmet member to force the helmet member from the rest position to the impact position, thereby driving the pile.

Abstract: A hydraulic breaker assembly including a head cap, a cylinder, and a front head, which are mounted in a casing, wherein corresponding faces of the front head and the cylinder are connected by connecting pins, wherein the cylinder and the head cap located above the cylinder are fixed together by fastening bolts, and wherein the front head, the cylinder, and the head cap are supported on an inner side of the casing by variable dampers, which are brought into close contact with the front head, the cylinder, and the head cap. The movement in the casing is thus prevented so that the head cap, the cylinder, and the front head are strongly coupled together. The length of the fastening bolt is reduced to minimize the impact-generating section so that the bolt is protected from distortion stress occurring upon striking of the rod, thereby increasing durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground working device comprising a carrier implement, a mast that forms a mast sequence and has a lower mast part, which is linked to the carrier implement, an upper mast part and at least one mast extension piece, whereby for the purpose of increasing the mast length the mast extension piece can be inserted into the mast sequence between lower mast part and upper mast part and whereby for the purpose of reducing the mast length the mast extension piece can be released from the upper mast part and the lower mast part and removed from the mast sequence, and, with the mast extension piece removed, the upper mast part can be fixed directly on the lower mast part, a work sledge which is guided in a displaceable manner along the mast, and at least one feed rope for displacing the work sledge, which runs at least in some areas longitudinally of the mast.

Abstract: A swing-out apparatus for a drill rig, typically for drilling water wells. It includes a sled which is formed to be driven vertically on a drill mast of a vehicle carrying the sled, a casing hammer, and a hinge securing the casing hammer on the sled. To provide for displacement of the casing hammer relative to the sled, a drive is provided for swinging the casing hammer on the hinge from a deployed position to an inactive position. The drive comprises a motor connected for driving one relative to another.

Abstract: A drop hammer for driving piles. The drop hammer of the present invention comprises a housing member and a ram member. The housing member defines a housing chamber. The ram member is supported within the housing chamber for movement relative to the housing member between an upper position and a lower position. When the ram member moves into the lower position, the impact of the ram member drives the pile. When the ram member falls below a preload position between the lower and upper positions, fluid within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses as the ram member moves into the lower position.

Abstract: A pile driver includes a leader rotation/holding mechanism that can firmly hold a leader in a rotatable state and also reliably rotate the leader using a general-purpose, inexpensive hydraulic motor by keeping the hydraulic motor from action of a bending moment from the leader. The pile driver has a leader revolver 15 that includes a mechanism for rotating a leader 17. The leader revolver 15 includes a fixed-side outer tube 31 and a rotation-side inner tube 32 that is concentrically arranged inside the fixed-side outer tube 31 via a pair of tapered roller bearings 35, 36 provided at two upper and lower positions. A lower part of the leader 17 is connected, in an integrally rotatable state, to an upper part of the rotation-side inner tube 32 protruding upward from an upper end opening of the fixed-side outer tube 31. A hydraulic motor 33 is placed in a lower part of the leader revolver 15.

Abstract: A breaking apparatus (1) including a movable mass (3) for impacting on a striker pin (4), a housing (2) and a striker pin (4) configured to partially protrude through the housing (2), the apparatus (1) characterised in that the striker pin (4) is configured to be beatable in a plurality of retaining locations relative to the housing (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of securing a shaft at any point along its substantially vertical axis of movement, wherein the method includes a locking device that is moveable with respect to the shaft. The method is characterised by the step of moving the locking device into a position wherein at least one face of the locking device mates against at least one point on the shaft so as to secure the shaft at any point along its substantially vertical axis of movement. In particular this invention relates to a method of securing a drop hammer at any point along its substantially vertical axis by use of a hydraulically controlled cam.

Abstract: A pile driver including an apparatus for allowing relative movement between a hammer and a boom of an excavator. The apparatus includes a mounting plate mounted to the boom that interfits with and is slidable with respect to a frame rail mounted to the hammer. In operation, the hammer is placed on top of a pile and, as the pile is driven downwardly, the hammer follows the pile. Owing to the relative movement between the boom of the excavator and the hammer, the hammer follows the pile without requiring continuous downward readjustment of the boom. In one embodiment, the mounting plate assembly does not extend substantially above the hammer frame. In another embodiment, the hammer can rotate with respect to the boom. In one embodiment, the hammer includes a ram, a cylinder for lifting the ram, and rotation-resistant cable connecting the ram and the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered hammer device including: a hammer with at least a first and a second projection; at least one translation dog adapted to engage with said projections, and a drive mechanism capable of moving the translation dog substantially reciprocally between a first and a second opposed directions, characterised in that the translation dog is adapted to engage with the first projection to move the hammer in the first direction, the translation dog then engaging the second projection to move the hammer in the reciprocal second direction.

Abstract: A new sign post driver comprises a piston which rests upon a post, well pipe or piling to be driven into the ground and a weighted cylinder which reciprocates vertically to impact the piston on the downstroke. The cylinder is raised pneumatically for each stroke and falls by force of gravity to strike an anvil on the piston. An optional spring assist on the downstroke adds to the impact thus adding to the impact for a given weight of cylinder. The result is an exceptionally light and simple post driver for its capabilities.

Abstract: A pile and/or post pounder utilizing a tracked floating anvil and having a continuous loop for lifting a tracked hammer. The pounder is adapted to be transported on, and powered by the hydraulic system on any mobile construction equipment. It safely holds the post in position when pounding is commenced. The continuous loop, driven by a variable speed hydraulic motor, facilitates hammering at as high a rate as possible. The utilization of a floating anvil to pound a post is made possible by a floating anvil which is able to withstand severe lateral loading which results when the top portion of the post slides laterally outwards.

Abstract: A post driver is powered by a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one on either side of the hammer to provide a balanced lifting force to the hammer. A post retaining cap is formed to provide a recess for the post. The orientation of the driver may be controlled about a horizontal axis so the post may be driven vertically without regard to the contour of the ground. The post driver is further provided with an extensible beam and foot which is extended to engage the ground and further support the driver.

Abstract: A post driving implement for use with a vehicle, such as a tractor or a skid loader, is disclosed. The post driving implement is comprised of a hammer, a hammer channel, and a hammer cylinder. The hammer travels longitudinally within the hammer channel and is lifted by the hammer cylinder mounted to a closed end of the hammer channel. The hammer cylinder and its associated plumbing is of sufficient size to function as a hydraulic reservoir for the post driving implement, thus eliminating the need for a third hydraulic line to the reservoir on the vehicle and to avoiding need for alteration of the vehicle's reservoir. The post driving implement of the present invention may also include a back plate for mounting the implement to a vehicle. Additionally, the post driving implement may include adjustment mechanisms to vary the positional and angular relationship between the vehicle and the implement.

Abstract: A hammer system for automatically carrying out a standard penetration test is disclosed. A cylindrical housing, in which an anvil coupled to a drill rod is received, is supported by a first hydraulic cylinder coupled to boring equipment. A cylindrical hammer is received in the housing. The hammer includes a holding assembly therein, which selectively holds and raises the hammer by a second hydraulic cylinder. Element for limiting a stroke of the hammer is spacedly connected to the holding assembly to be raised and lowered therewith. The limiting element includes a first sensor to detect a slot formed at the housing when the hammer is raised, thereby counting the number of blows. The hammer includes a plurality of protrusions on its outer surface. A wall of the housing includes a second sensor to detect the number of protrusions passed over the second sensor when the hammer is raised, thereby calculating a penetration depth from a difference between the numbers of protrusions detected for two continuous blows.

Abstract: An excavation apparatus especially useful when mounted on backhoes and other lighter vehicles used in the construction industry. The excavation apparatus does not require a winch for letting out and retracting its cable nor a reel for storing retracted cable which reduces the weight of the excavation apparatus, lowers its cost while facilitating both operation and servicing. The apparatus has a kelly assembly housing which houses an outer kelly section, and an extendable innermost kelly section adaptable for attachment of a tool. More than one extendable kelly section can be used. A rotary table rotates the kelly sections. A support structure supports the rotary table and the housing. A frame allows the housing to slide relative to the frame in a direction parallel to the axis of the assembly. A downcrowd mechanism, supported by the frame, downcrowds the support structure relative to the frame.

Abstract: Readily available steel “I” beams being strengthened sufficiently (without introducing localised stresses that exacerbate the fatigue difficulty) over at risk regions and particularly adjacent the lower regions of the beam that hitherto have given rise to fatigue difficulties. It is therefore to such a strengthened beam for a post driver or any variant thereof machines made using such a beam, their use and to related methods of strengthening such beams of post drivers.

Abstract: A hammer system for automatically carrying out a standard penetration test is disclosed. A cylindrical housing, in which an anvil coupled to a drill rod is received, is supported by a first hydraulic cylinder coupled to boring equipment. A cylindrical hammer is received in the housing. The hammer includes a holding assembly therein, which selectively holds and raises the hammer by a second hydraulic cylinder. Means for limiting a stroke of the hammer is spacedly connected to the holding assembly to be raised and lowered therewith. The limiting means includes a first sensor to detect a slot formed at the housing when the hammer is raised, thereby counting the number of blows. The hammer includes a plurality of protrusions on its outer surface. A wall of the housing includes a second sensor to detect the number of protrusions passed over the second sensor when the hammer is raised, thereby calculating a penetration depth from a difference between the numbers of protrusions detected for two continuous blows.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for breaking up a paved surface which attaches to a host transport, such as a skid steer or backhoe, having a hydraulic power supply and preferably comprises a closed hydraulic system which includes a regenerative and concentric type double hydraulic cylinder arrangement adjustably supported within a vertical frame. The cylinder is operably attached to a weight such that when fluid is pumped into a first chamber, a piston drives a rod, thereby lifting a weight while at the same time, the piston forces hydraulic fluid from a second chamber to the host. The piston separates the first chamber from the second chamber within the cylinder. Upon reaching a prescribed height, a valve is opened, allowing fluid to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber, thereby allowing the weight to drop rapidly under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A fluid-operated percussion device (1) having a percussive piston (3), which alternately executes a work stroke and a return stroke due to the effect of a control. To avoid no-load strikes, in one embodiment of the percussion device (1), the percussive piston (3) is shut down if it has overshot the extended position occurring in normal operation (long- and/or short-stroke operation) by a predetermined distance in the work-stroke direction (arrow 3e) and reached a no-load-strike position. For this purpose, the interior (2d) of the work cylinder (2) that receives the percussive piston (3) additionally has a no load-strike opening (20a), which is connected to the pressure line (8) of the percussion device (1) with an interposed safety element (21) that can be switched between an inoperative position and an operative position.

Abstract: A machine for driving posts, drills, large spikes, and the like work pieces into the ground, pavements, or wall structures. The machine comprises an elongated tower, a carriage, a hammer, a combination of an elongated two-way cylinder and a pulley system, at least one control valve box, a plurality of hydraulic pressurized lines, a plurality of hydraulic conduits, and a plurality of fasteners. The tower has two parallel rails for the hammer to slide upward, and then downward so as to exert a force upon the work piece toward a work surface. The machine may further include two two-way cylinders, a hammer guide, constraining springs and an interchangeable plate.

Abstract: A device for breaking rocks comprising a substantially vertical guide column which houses a weight for delivering an impact to a tool held within a cushioned tool holding structure that is itself supported from the guide column by a resilient recoil assembly is herein disclosed.

Abstract: A driver hammer for driving an elongated member into the earth and for extracting the member from the earth includes a hammer body and a forward driving anvil slidably mounted in the body that is engaged directly with the elongated member when the latter is driven into the earth. A conventional hammer drive mechanism is used to repeatedly impact the forward driving anvil to drive the member into the earth. When the member is to be extracted from the earth, a back driving lever, which is pivotally mounted on the hammer body, is pivoted into the position where the forward driving anvil can strike an impact surface on one side of the pivot point of the lever and a back driving anvil is engaged with a second impact surface on the opposite side of the pivot point of the lever and which is attached to the elongated member.

Abstract: A device removably attaches to a skid steer and is used for breaking up asphalt, concrete, etc. A hollow rod is suspended from the device, and a nipple provides liquid communication to the interior rod chamber of the hollow rod. A head is provided on a lower end of the rod and a cylinder is movably provided around the rod's lower end so that upper and lower cylinder chambers are formed within the cylinder, above and below the head. Perforations provided in the lower end of the rod provide liquid communication between the rod chamber and the upper cylinder chamber. The lower cylinder chamber is charged with gas. A weight and a breaking tool attach to the bottom end of the cylinder and move upward and downward in conjunction therewith. A switch provided on the frame is tripped as the weight is raised, thus sending an electrical impulse to a timer, causing it to momentarily supply electricity to dump and directional valves, simultaneously closing them.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a hydraulic/pneumatic post driver is described. The post driver has a hammer and a guide for directing the hammer from a raised release position along a substantially vertical downward impact path. A hydraulically or pneumatically actuated fluid expandable cylinder is disposed above the hammer and has a telescopically extendible piston for lifting the hammer to the raised release position. The improvement includes one of the piston and the hammer having a female member with inwardly directed gripping dogs. The other of the piston and the hammer has a male member with outwardly directed gripping rollers. One of the inwardly directed gripping dogs and the outwardly directed gripping rollers is spring biased to maintain engagement between the dogs and rollers. A triggering mechanism is provided on the guide to overcome the biasing force of the spring to disengage the dogs and the rollers when the hammer reaches the raised release position.

Abstract: A free fall stroker for raising and dropping a drop hammer for soils bearing testing or the like includes a housing through which a drop hammer cable extends from one side to the bottom thereof. A pair of guide pulleys guide the cable through the housing and a movable sheave operates within a parallelogram-shaped track with four legs, and is attached to a telescoping arm of a hydraulic stroking cylinder. When the arm is retracted, the sheave is moved in a first leg of the track and engages the cable, pulling it between the guide pulleys. When the sheave reaches the end of the first leg, it moves in a second leg in a second direction away from the guide pulleys. This causes the cable to be released, thus dropping the drop hammer and letting it free fall. Extension of the telescoping arm then returns the sheave to the point of origin via the third and fourth legs of the track. A winch is provided on top of the housing to adjust the cable length and a stroke counter counts the number of hammer strokes.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-contained hydraulic hammer which is mounted on a hydraulically mobile frame. The hydraulic hammer is capable of travelling in either forward or reverse directions and is provided with liftable weights to which a tool for digging or breaking up a surface is attached. The hydraulic hammer is equipped with time delay controls which: 1) momentarily stop the travel of the hydraulic hammer as the weights and the attached digging tool free fall from a raised position until the digging tool impacts the surface to be busted up, and 2) cause the hydraulic hammer to resume travel as the weights are again raised in preparation for another impact. The hydraulic hammer rapidly repeats these cycles of impact and travel to break up a surface. Adjustments are provided on the hydraulic hammer for regulating the force of the impact and the distance travelled between impacts in order to match the hydraulic hammer's impact and travel cycles to the break characteristics of the surface to be removed.

Abstract: A rapper for use in vibrating parts of an electrostatic precipitator by utilizing an impact force. An anvil is connected to a part of an electrostatic precipitator, such as, a section of electrodes either discharge electrodes or collecting plates or electrodes. A striker is engageable with an impact force on the anvil for vibrating the anvil as a result of the striker applying an impact force to the anvil. The vibration of the anvil is transmitted to the part. An elongated connector has one end connected to the striker. Crank means is connected to the elongated connector for raising the striker above the anvil and allowing the striker to drop into impact engagement with the anvil vibrating the anvil and the part of the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A downcrowdable telescopic augering apparatus and drilling rig is disclosed that has a low overhead requirement and yet can drill large diameter holes ot great depths. The invention is especially useful for drilling foundation holes. One embodiment of the invention can ready over walls and in-place equipment for drilling holes. One embodiment of the invention can drill holes at almost any angle desired into the earth. One embodiment can drill holes on steeply inclined terrains. Because of its low overhead requirement, the drilling rigs of this invention can be used inside existing building without damaging the ceilings or roofs to drill foundation holes for mounting new machinery. The downcrowd means of this invention does not substantially increase the height of the augering apparatus or drilling rig.

Abstract: A portable concrete hammer including a wheeled carriage, a mast movable between a vertical operating position and a horizontal transport position, and an automatic ratchet drive that advances the concrete hammer over a concrete surface during the portion of the operating cycle when the weight is being raised.

Abstract: Rock breaking apparatus includes a guide column within which a weight falls under gravity to strike a tool. A piece of shock-absorbing material is located at or near the base of said column such that it enables force to be transmitted from said weight to the tool, while minimizing the effect of the impact of said weight on other parts of the apparatus. The piece of shock-absorbing material has an aperture therethrough, for the passage of the tool. The tool may have a recessed portion which co-operates with a retaining pin located substantially at right angles to the direction of motion of the tool. The apparatus may also have an operating device, including a device for raising a weight, a device for holding a weight in one of a number of positions and a device for allowing said weight to fall.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for driving different objects into the ground by impact, comprising a carrier structure supporting a swinging element along which slides a mass whose movements are controlled by a cable. The swinging element has a tubular structure divided longitudinally into two parts each comprising at least two surfaces for guiding two opposite zones of said mass so as to be able to provide alone longitudinal guiding of said mass and means for connecting these two parts together with free longitudinal sliding of one of the parts with respect to the other.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hammer and follow block chain remote release device and method to eliminate the need of a human having to ride the pile driving leads until the follow block is separated from the hammer. This is attained by passing a chain through the follow block and over horns on the hammer. A remote release device is connected to one end of the chain and an elongated link secured to the other end of the chain is engaged with the release device and a remotely actuated coupling member is pulled to release the connection between the chain and release device to permit separation of the follow block from the hammer by passage of the chain through the follow block and over the horns on the hammer.

Abstract: An apparatus for impacting on a hard surface such as concrete so as to break up the hard surface. This apparatus comprises a frame having a bed and an upstanding rail assembly projecting from the bed, a drive shoe, a hammer means attached to the rail assembly so as to be movable in only one direction and operatively connected to the drive shoe for impacting upon the drive shoe. The drive shoe lies adjacent the surface so that upon impact from the hammer means, the shoe forcefully impacts the surface so as to break up the surface. An adjustment means is used to selectively position the drive shoe relative to the hammer means.

Abstract: An automatic drive hammer system, particularly adapted to use in the Standard Penetration Test, is mounted on a drill rig in such a way that it can be swung and translated to an on-hole working position. A hammer reciprocating mechanism is so mounted that its weight is not borne entirely by the drill rod, the hammer is dropped free through an accurately predetermined height onto an anvil isolated from the reciprocating mechanism so that all of the energy from the falling hammer is transmitted to the drill rod, and the hammer will not be lifted and released if the anvil is not in place.