Although Pile Driving Solutions is a fairly new company
– it was formed in early 2014 – owner Jay
Mooncotch has been in the construction industry
for more than 25 years.
As a former crane operator and rigger, he is only too familiar
with the many challenges the pile driving industry faces
– one being the damage that a vibratory hammer can potentially
place on a crane.
Looking for a solution to this problem, Mooncotch discovered
the vibratory damper through Tunkers, a German
manufacturer. He used it on a project and immediately realized
its overwhelming benefits. After that, he entered into
partnership with Tunkers and became their North American
exclusive distributor of vibratory hammers and dampers,
and then formed his company Pile Driving Solutions.
“I’ve been around cranes my whole life, and the damper
is by far the best,” he said. “This equipment has advanced
engineering and has been proven to work above expectations.
Anytime a vibratory hammer is on a crane, the
potential exists for parts to vibrate off the crane, which
could create injury, damage the crane or shut the jobsite
down. This damper is designed to take the shock of a vibratory
hammer from the crane and the operator during pile
driving applications.”
The effective shock isolation is achieved by means of a
combination hollow rubber spring specifically modulated
and heat resistant with a simple but effective flexible joint.
“By using a damper during sheet piling and case-in jobs,
just having a damper reduces pieces from falling off the crane,
which is caused by the ongoing vibration,” said Mooncotch.
“That, in itself, is a safety hazard and the damper minimizes
the risk.”
The damper can be used on all cranes, such as crawlers,
all-terrain and rough-terrain cranes and is available in several
models, with the most common being the SD130. With
the right rigging, it can be hooked to the block in minutes and
requires little maintenance.
“And if taken care of properly, it can last a lifetime depending
on the amount of hours it is used,” said Mooncotch.
Pile Driving Solutions offers a variety of vibratory hammers
and dampers to customers across the U.S. Kiewit recently
purchased three dampers: two SD130s and an SD180 for a
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Pile Driving Solutions
Looking for a solution to the stress that vibratory hammers
can place on a crane, one company owner discovered
the superior benefits of a German-made damper
By Lisa Kopochinski
Jay Mooncotch, Owner, Pile Driving Solutions
Having a damper reduces the risk of pieces falling off a crane
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PILE DRIVING SOLUTIONS
CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
PILING CANADA 15