PILE-DRIVING OPERATION

Almost all pile driving is done with a crawler or with truck-mounted cranes rigged with pile-driving attachments, as shown in figure 8-13. The main parts of pile-driving attachments are as follows:

1. The LEADS come in 10-, 15-, and 20-foot sections bolted together to form various lengths.

2. The CATWALKS, also called the LEAD BRACE or SPOTTERS, can be extended or telescoped to various lengths. These can be set to hold the leads vertical for driving bearing piles or to hold them at an angle for driving batter piles.

Steps in rigging pile-driving attachments on a crane are as follows:

1. The lead sections are assembled on the ground, as shown in figure 8-14. The crane is lined up with the leads, and the boom is lowered until its head is in line with the tops of the leads, as shown in the same figure.

2. The cotter pins on the ends of the boom point pin are removed, the adapters are installed, and the cotter pins are reinstalled.

3. The adapters are bolted to the ends of the leads, as shown in figure 8-15. To avoid trouble, bolt on one adapter, and swing the boom enough to align the bolt holes with the adapter and leads. The tops of the leads are now attached to the head of the boom.

Figure 8-13. - Typical pile-driving operation.