Identifying the Best Pile Driving or Drilling Rig Will Make Sure You Deliver on Time and Under Budget
When planning a pile driving job there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration including equipment selection, soil conditions, and the scope of the project.
While these factors all require careful consideration, perhaps the most important is choosing the right machinery.
From MKT vibratory hammers to CZM drilling rigs and pile driving rigs, there are many pile driving equipment options – often, making the right choice a bit difficult.
When professional contractors choose to purchase or rent pile driving equipment, it’s crucial to get the best option to complete the job while staying within budget.
Another important consideration is deciding on the best method for constructing the piles. In some cases, piles themselves are driven into the soil, though sometimes soil conditions dictate the need for piles to have bores drilled out of the earth in order to install them.
Steps to Plan a Pile Driving Job
The first step in planning a pile driving project is defining the scope and getting the right machinery for the job.
Because pile driving is one of the most cost-effective foundation solutions, it’s typically the first choice for commercial projects.
Before you begin you will need to get a soil test to know what kind of conditions you’re driving into and ensure you have the right tools for the job. A proper soil analysis will indicate the approximate number of blows it will take to get the pile driven and secured.
Once you have this information, you can choose the best equipment for your project.
CZM pile driving rigs, like the CZM EK125HH, are popular for several reasons, such as single-truck transportation, and parts and service availability due to manufacturing in the USA.
Additionally, because half of their life cycle is gravity powered, these rigs require less maintenance without sacrificing power. This rig also offers 360° of swing, and its parallelogram allows it to fit into tight spaces on a range of different terrain.
The control panel also features computer-driven controls for precise pile drop heights and driving frequency. This control ensures that should there be a discrepancy between your core sample and the actual soil conditions, you will be able to re-test and adjust your pile depth; or, add additional piles to deliver effective support.
One thing to keep in mind is that not every project requires a large pile driving rig.
Side clamp vibratory hammers can be operated with an excavator, an operator, and a single groundman for smaller projects or job sites with access challenges.
MKT side clamp vibratory hammers are some of the most durable vibratory hammers on the market, and they offer the same capabilities of rigs that previously required a full crew and crane.
While you’re still planning your pile driving job, you can identify the exact size of the hammer you need for your soil conditions and project requirements.
An added advantage of going with a side clamp vibratory hammer is its compact size allows it to fit into spaces with lower height clearances compared to a traditional pile driving rig.
Finally, this type of equipment can offer a cost-effective solution to keep you under budget and on schedule to meet your deadline based on the overall scope of work.
Benefits of CZM Drilling Rigs
While some piles are driven with a dedicated pile driver, there can be conditions that require drilling for pile installation.
When this is the case, CZM drilling rigs utilize CAT Next Gen bases to offer rugged durability with a time proven to reduce operating costs.
Thorough planning leads to successful projects and having the right equipment cannot be looked over.
CZM drilling rigs also offer single-load transport which makes logistics and planning easier during the first phases of your project.
Calculating your pile depth and ensuring a core sample to an adequate depth is gathered using CZM drilling rigs that can reach depths up to 246’ – making them suitable for even the largest or most complicated construction or drilling projects.
To Sum It Up
Constructing a stable foundation in any type of soil conditions is possible with the right planning and proper equipment.
Choosing the best drilling or pile driving rig for your job will save money, time, and other valuable resources, while reducing the potential for mechanical failure or issues caused by unexpected soil conditions.
A smaller project that has smaller and narrower access can be done with a two-man crew and a side clamp vibratory hammer; whereas larger construction projects usually utilize full scale pile driving and drilling rigs to deliver a solid pile foundation for every scope.
Soil conditions and load demands will dictate which drilling rig makes the most sense for your project.
Remember, identifying the ideal piece of equipment from day one will likely result in a successful project outcome.
