Vibro Hammer for Deep Foundations – Heavy Duty Crane Suspended Solutions
JH KIM
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BRUCE SGV equipment selection
Match the hammer, crane, clamp and power pack
A crane-suspended vibratory hammer is supported by a crane and transfers vibration to a pile through hydraulic clamps. A separate hydraulic power pack typically supplies the hammer. The arrangement brings together four decisions: hammer performance, crane suitability, clamp fit and hydraulic supply.
This guide covers the information to review for sheet piling, H-piles and steel casing. For the underlying operating principle, see how a vibro hammer works.
Start with the pile and ground conditions
A crane-suspended vibro hammer is worth reviewing when the proposed job uses a crane to handle piles and the site has space for a separate power unit. Compare the required reach, pile length, working platform and handling sequence with the available equipment.
Vibratory driving is often effective in granular ground. A soil profile containing dense layers, cohesive material or obstructions needs a project-specific assessment. Pile mass, eccentric moment, frequency and amplitude interact; selecting a model requires more than a centrifugal-force figure.
- Sheet piles: provide the section designation, individual or paired arrangement, length, mass and installation/extraction requirements.
- H-piles: provide the section drawing, length, mass and accessible clamping surface.
- Steel casing: provide outside diameter, wall thickness, length, mass and the proposed clamping arrangement.
Separate penetration from acceptance. Reaching an elevation does not by itself verify pile bearing capacity. Confirm the permitted installation method, required testing and acceptance criteria with the project engineer. An approved impact-driving stage may be part of the installation plan.
Technical background: Caltrans Foundation Manual, Chapter 7, section 7-4.6 (2015), discusses vibratory driving and its use within project specifications. Follow the current requirements for your own project.
Check the crane at the actual working radius
Have the crane supplier and qualified lifting team review the proposed attachment and operating configuration. Provide the complete suspended assembly weight, pile-handling arrangement, working radius, boom configuration and required hook height.
| Review item | Information to provide |
|---|---|
| Equipment and handled load | Hammer, clamp, beam/adapter and rigging weights, plus the pile and other loads supported in each planned operation. |
| Crane geometry | Crane model and configuration, planned radius, boom length, hook height and any restricted clearances. |
| Driving and extraction | Manufacturer instructions for the attachment, allowable operating loads and the planned extraction method. |
| Work area | Crane support conditions, pile storage and guides, overhead hazards, access routes and the exclusion area. |
Keep the ratings separate: centrifugal force describes vibratory output; maximum extraction line pull is a hammer specification. The crane’s permitted load must be established for its actual configuration and operation. Neither hammer figure is a crane capacity rating.
For U.S. operations, OSHA 1926.1417 addresses manufacturer procedures, load charts and rated capacity. The equipment review supports the project lift plan; it is not an operating procedure.
Specify the clamp and hydraulic package together
Match the clamp to the pile drawing
BRUCE describes universal clamps for sheet piles and H-beams, and double-clamp arrangements for casing. Send the actual pile dimensions so jaw fit, contact location, beam arrangement and clearance can be reviewed for the proposed model.
Review the complete hydraulic circuit
Ask the supplier to match the power pack, hoses and controls to the selected hammer. Confirm flow and pressure requirements, return-line limits, hose length, couplings, cooling and approved hydraulic fluid. Specify ambient conditions and any project requirements for the power pack engine.
Use the power pack information to begin the discussion, then request the hydraulic requirements and drawings for the exact quoted assembly.
Selected BRUCE SGV specifications
The following published values help compare models for a technical inquiry. Request the current drawing, assembly weight and operating manual before finalizing equipment selection.
Scroll the table horizontally on smaller screens. One kip equals 1,000 lbf.
| Model | Eccentric momentkg·m | Centrifugal forcekN / kip | Max. extraction line pullkN / kip | Max. oil flowL/min / US gpm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGV-300 | 34 | 1,120251.8 kip | 40089.9 kip | 36095.1 US gpm |
| SGV-400 | 48 | 1,545347.3 kip | 687154.4 kip | 560147.9 US gpm |
| SGV-600 | 79 | 2,502562.5 kip | 1,078242.3 kip | 745196.8 US gpm |
Source: BRUCE SGV product specifications. Permitted extraction loads must also satisfy the crane, rigging, clamp and project limitations. The table does not establish an allowable lift or extraction load.
Add a separate review for marine and underwater work
For a barge or marine platform, include the platform arrangement, crane position, operating radius, pile guides and expected water conditions in the equipment review. U.S. pile-driving equipment requirements also address work from barges and floats.
State whether the hammer or clamps will enter the water. Request written suitability for the proposed immersion depth and duration, including seals, hoses, controls and handling procedures. Confirm those requirements for the exact configuration before selecting equipment.
Plan neighboring-structure vibration monitoring and project limits separately from the hammer’s suspension isolation. For broader jobsite planning, use the efficiency and safety checklist.
Crane-suspended vibro hammer FAQs
How deep can a crane-suspended vibratory hammer drive a pile?
There is no single depth applicable to every project. Assess the full soil profile, pile geometry, equipment configuration and required acceptance criteria. Send the target embedment and available ground investigation with the inquiry so the proposed method can be reviewed.
What size crane is needed?
Start with the assembly and handled-load information, working radius and crane configuration. The crane supplier and lifting team need to establish the permitted arrangement using the applicable load chart and manufacturer procedures, including the requirements for driving and extraction.
When should I compare an excavator-mounted hammer?
Compare both arrangements when access, handling reach and the available carrier could support either option. An excavator-mounted attachment requires its own mounting and hydraulic compatibility review. Use our excavator-mounted vibratory hammer guide for that assessment.
What if the installation plan requires impact driving?
Have the project engineer review the installation sequence and hammer requirements. BRUCE’s SGH range can be evaluated where an impact hammer is specified. The hydraulic pile hammer guide explains the equipment information to compare.
Request a crane-suspended hammer review
Send the available information below to BRUCE. For a U.S. project, include the delivery city, state and required on-site date. Identify unknown items so they can be clarified during the equipment review.
- Pile: section or outside diameter, wall thickness where applicable, length, mass and quantity.
- Ground and method: soil report, target embedment, installation/extraction scope and specified acceptance method.
- Crane and site: crane model, planned radius and configuration, available hook height, land or barge setup, and pile guides.
- Package and delivery: required clamps, power pack and hose length, project location and schedule.