Information on the Pile Hammer You Need to Know

Pile hammer is the generic name for a variety of hammers that all carry out the same function. The method is different, but the outcome is the same, and some are much easier to use than others are. There are a number of different types of pile hammers, such as hydraulic pile hammer, and they are an integral part of the building trade. Also called the pile driver there are diesel versions, steam powered and hydraulic ones. The term "pile hammer" is a better expression to use as the person who uses the hammer is also called a pile driver, so it avoids confusion. On construction sites, they are used to force steel and concrete supports into the ground. They make sure that the post goes into the ground in a straight position, and that they go down far enough to give the building a good foundation. The inventor is not known, but there are a couple of possibilities. As with many inventions where the facts are not clear, Leonardo de Vinci has been mentioned, but there is evidence that it was invented in Scotland. There was a similar device used there about 500 years ago. For the diesel hammer, it is a large two-cycle diesel engine that makes up the outboard engine cover. There is a crane that holds a cylinder over whatever you want piling into the ground. The piston hits it hard and forces it down. The drilling casing pipe pulls the piston up again and the process is repeated. Powered by diesel, this can go on for some time, but the diesel will run out although it can be stopped by the construction team. Although easy to use, this is a noisy piece of equipment. A much quieter alternative is the hydraulic pile hammer. Environmentalists prefer this version, as it does not rely on diesel. It is based on the same system, as the diesel version where the hammer is pumped up and down. Rather than diesel, it is hydraulic fluid that powers it. It still needs to be attached to a crane. There needs to be special use of the hammer on unstable ground. If the vibrations are too strong the soil underneath may collapse, and the pile will not be as secure as it should be. This could lead to the entire building collapsing. Finally the air hammer and this has many advantages including low cost and also low maintenance. It can be used for all types of ground and is a high impact machine. Where a manual hammer has been used there is the risk of a permanent injurer to the person using it. Vibration white finger is an ailment that affects users of this sort of equipment, and the symptoms are well known within the construction industry. The fingers lose color and sensitivity. Although this is an all year round condition, cold weather makes it much worse. Hopefully now that there are more mechanized types of pile hammer this condition will be a thing of the past.