Excavator mounted vibro hammer

Types of excavator mounted vibro hammers

An excavator mounted vibro hammer, also called a vibratory pile driver, is a machine for driving piles or sections of piles into the ground using vibration. While pile drivers, in general, come in various models and types, excavator-mounted vibro hammers are generally used for similar applications, such as:

• Foundation piles for bridges, buildings, and other structures.
• Core element piles for earth retention systems such as sheet pile walls.
• Support for temporary structures such as cofferdams or shoring systems.

Excavator-mounted vibro hammers are suitable alternatives to traditional pile drivers, especially in confined spaces where maneuverability is essential and noise and vibration levels are a concern. Excavators have different attachments. Here are some vibro hammer types of attachments for excavators:

• Hydraulic vibro hammers: These vibro hammers use hydraulic power to generate vibrations for driving piles. Their design is standardized, and their operation is straightforward.
• Pneumatic vibro hammers: These hammers use compressed air to function. They come in various designs to suit specific applications.
• Electric vibro hammers: These hammers are powered by electricity, providing a cleaner and quieter alternative to hydraulic and diesel-powered vibros. They are used in places where noise pollution is a significant concern.
• Modular vibro hammers: These hammers provide versatility for transportation and are used for different types of excavators.
• Universal vibro hammers: These are adaptable to various excavator models and sizes, and they come with attachment systems to ensure compatibility and safety.

Specification and Maintenance

Specifications:

• Power Source

  An excavator-mounted vibro hammer is typically powered by hydraulic or pneumatic power. For hydraulic vibro hammers, the excavator's hydraulic system supplies the hydraulic vibro hammer with hydraulic energy, thereby driving the hammer to perform pile driving. Pneumatic vibro hammers, on the other hand, rely on compressed air. They use compressed air as the power source to drive internal motors, which then generate vibration and impart energy to the piles.

• Frequency and Amplitude

  The frequency and amplitude of vibro hammers can vary depending on the model and design. In general, vibro hammers operate at a frequency ranging from several hundred to a few thousand vibrations per minute (RPM). The amplitude of vibro hammers is usually several millimeters to several centimeters.

• Weight

  The weight of an excavator-mounted vibro hammer can vary depending on the model and specifications. Generally, the weight of the hammer is between 200kg and 9,500kg. The vibro hammer transmits high-frequency vibration to the pile while itself maintaining a stable vibration.

• Operating Pressure

  The operating pressure of hydraulic vibro hammers is crucial to their proper functioning and performance. Operating pressure refers the pressure at which hydraulic vibro hammers operate during pile driving. The operating pressure range of hydraulic vibro hammers are usually between 80-300 bar.

Maintenance:

• Regular Cleaning

  Cleaning the vibro hammer regularly is an important maintenance procedure. The operators can use water, detergent, and brushes to clean the hammers. This can prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris, which ensures the equipment keeps clean and properly functioning.

• Inspection

  Regular inspection of excavator-based vibro hammers is crucial to determine their condition. Users should, for example, check whether any parts of the hammer have been worn out, damaged, or loose. If any issues are found, necessary repairs or replacements should be done in time.

• Lubrication

  The moving parts of hydraulic vibro hammers, including chains and bearings, should be properly lubricated to ensure smooth operation and reduce wear. Users should select the appropriate lubricating oil or grease according to the equipment requirements, and apply them to the designated parts.

• Pay attention to the operating environment

  Users should try to avoid harsh operating environments. For example, keep the excavator-mounted vibro hammer away from corrosive substances and overly high dust concentration environments. If it is unavoidable, users should take appropriate protective measures to reduce the impact of the environment on the equipment.

Usage scenarios

There are various usage scenarios for an excavator vibro hammer attachment for pile driving. Some of them are as follows.

• Foundation Construction

  Vibro hammers are used for driving concrete, steel, and wooden piles into the ground to create strong, stable foundations for various kinds of structure. They are used for pile installation, as well as for creating pile group, friction piles, and blast holes. Vibro hammers are also used for driving piles for pier, sheet, and caisson foundations. In all of these foundation constructions, an excavator vibro hammer ensures that the foundation has good support, and this makes it ensures that the structure that will be built on the foundation will have great stability.

• Marine Construction

  An excavator-mounted vibro hammer is a common tool used for marine construction projects. It is typically used for driving piles to support offshore structures, jetties, bridges, and moorings. Sometimes, vibro hammers are used for installing sheet piles for barries or underwater trenchs. They are also used for creating baskts or cofferdams, as well as for installing marine fender systems.

• Land Redevelopment

  When an excavator vibro hammer is used for land redevelopment, it is typically used for driving piles into previously used land that will now be used for construction. Some examples of land redevelopment where vibro hammers are used include Brownfield sites and landfill stabilization.

• Transport Infrastructure

  Vibro hammers are used for transport infrastructure projects such as making railways, roads, airports, and undergrounds. They are used for making stable foundations and retaining structures for these transport infrastructure. Vibrom hammers are also used for constructing bridge piers, as well as underwater trenchess and banks for crossing pipelines.

• Solar or Wind Farm Installation

  Vibro hammers are also commonly used in the renewable energy sector. In this sectore, they are used for installing support structures for offshore wind turbines. They can also be used for creating foundations for solar energy converters in areas where there is possible to generate solar power.

How to choose excavator mounted vibro hammers

When purchasing an excavator vibro hammer, buyers should consider several factors to ensure they acquire models that will be beneficial in their business operations.

• Excavator compatibility:

  The vibro hammer attachment's compatibility with an excavator machine is essential. Ensure the vibro hammer buyer examines the excavator's mounting system, hydraulic capability, and weight capacity to ensure a proper fit and function.

• Project requirements:

  Buyers should consider their project types and specifications to determine the required vibro hammer size, capacity, and features. For instance, a large and powerful vibro hammer may be needed for heavy-duty projects if handling capacity or larger piles is required.

• Quality and durability:

  Buyers should prioritize vibro hammers made with high-quality materials and robust construction to ensure durability and withstand harsh working conditions. In this case, buyers should look for hammers with good abrasion-resistant and impact-resistant materials.

• Brands and suppliers:

  Since the performance of an excavator vibro hammer is greatly influenced by the brand and supplier, buyers should go for reputable brands with positive reviews and a record of reliable products. Also, the buyers should choose reputable suppliers with a reliable customer support system and good after-sales service.

• Safety features:

  Consider the safety features of the vibro hammer, such as overload protection, emergency stop buttons, and anti-lock mechanisms, and ensure they are included in the hammer to enhance operational safety.

Excavator mounted vibro hammer Q & A

Q1: What is the difference between static and kiite vibro hammers?

A1: While both are pre-fed vibro hammers, the excavator-mounted static vibro hammer relies solely on vibrations to drive piles into the ground. The Static vibros use their weight to help settle the pile into the earth. On the contrary, the excavator-mounted kolite vibro hammer is an impact vibro hammer, which means it combines vibrations with impacts to drive piles. Kolite vibro hammers possess striking components within their design that generate rapid impacts while simultaneously transmitting vibrations to the pile.

Q2: Can an excavator-mounted vibro hammer be used for pile extraction?

A2: Yes, one of the advantages of using an excavator-mounted vibro hammer for piling is its capability for both pile driving and extraction. Vibro hammers excel in extracting piles, even those installed using soil densification techniques, thanks to the combination of high-frequency vibrations and physical impacts transferred to the pile. This made them an ideal choice for projects requiring temporary piles or those needing repaid modifications.

Q3: Are excavator-mounted vibro hammers suitable for different soil conditions?

A3: Yes, excavator-mounted vibro hammers excel in various soil conditions, including cohesive soils, granular soils, mixed soils, and even soils with obstructions. Their versatility makes them suitable for operations in many geotechnical environments. Additionally, the adjustable amplitude and frequency of oscillations allow for customizing the vibro hammer's behavior to optimize performance according to specific soil conditions.

Q4: Can an excavator-mounted vibro hammer be used for environmental stabilization projects?

A4: Yes, excavators-mounted vibro hammers are commonly used for environmental stabilization projects. They are employed to construct eco-friendly retaining walls, reef piles, and bank stabilization structures. Moreover, vibro hammers are used in soil stabilization and sediment control measures.

Q5: How does an excavator-mounted vibro hammer prevent pile damage during driving?

A5: Excavator-mounted vibro hammers are equipped with automatic energy control systems that regulate the driving energy delivered to the pile. These systems monitor parameters such as resistance, penetration rate, and selected driving cycles. Additionally, buffer and pile cushions are employed to mitigate impact forces and vibrations transmitted to the pile.