Steel foundations driven by RF hammers are in their 8th year in Shanghai. This week saw three ICE hammers working at Jungong Road Elevated highway. This project is characterized by a stop-and-go building process, so keeping the set-up costs low is important, the equipment spread for steel foundations is much more mobile than that needed for cast-in-situ concrete foundations. As traffic continues on both sides of the construction site, the narrow strip needed for the vibro driving method is also a major reason to choose it.

The steel foundations have a length of 62m and are driven in 3 sections. Driving speed for the final third section was 5-10 minutes. With three hammers on site the job is done in now time!

Although the working method is by now well established, and even included in a building code, at every site visit we witness little innovations. This time I saw a lifting device fitted with a quick release to securely lift the second and third section of the pile. This increases efficiency and safety.

We also took the opportunity to share information about our hose lifting tool, a small investment with big return in labor savings, hydraulic hose protection and better pile verticality.

With the weather getting colder we answered operator questions about warming up time of the equipment. The 70RF has a tank with 1600L of hydraulic oil that becomes viscous at lower ambient temperatures and can be warmed by driving the days first piles at low variable moment settings.

As we enter winter don’t hesitate to contact our service team for low temperature working instructions! We are at the ready to offer you support!