How to Choose a Screw Pile Drive

Do not choose a screw-pile drive by pile diameter alone. The correct drive is selected by the pile system's required installation torque, the pile manufacturer's maximum allowable installation torque, the carrier's hydraulic pressure and flow, the mounting arrangement, the drive/output interface and the method used to measure installation torque.

Rev-Pile can help match the installation equipment to your carrier and pile system. Foundation design, allowable pile capacity and installation acceptance criteria must come from the pile manufacturer and/or the project engineer.

1. Start with the pile system requirements

Before choosing a hydraulic drive, determine:

• Required or expected installation torque for the project or pile system.
• Maximum allowable installation torque for the pile shaft and connection system.
• Required installation criteria such as depth, torque, advancement and any manufacturer-specific termination criteria.
• Pile connection/interface required at the drive tool.

Installation torque is commonly used as a field quality-control parameter for helical piles, but torque-to-capacity relationships are specific to the pile system and supporting engineering/test data. A universal torque-to-capacity factor should not be assumed for every pile.

2. Verify the carrier hydraulics

The drive must be matched to the machine that will power it. Record the carrier make/model and the auxiliary hydraulic specifications at the attachment circuit:

• Maximum hydraulic pressure (PSI)
• Available hydraulic flow (GPM)
• Carrier size/weight class
• Coupler or mounting system

As a practical rule, hydraulic pressure determines torque potential while hydraulic flow primarily determines rotational speed. More flow does not automatically mean more installation torque. The drive must be rated for the machine's pressure and flow range.

A drive should never be operated above its rated pressure or flow. If the carrier can produce more pressure than the drive or pile system should see, an appropriate pressure-control/relief arrangement may be required.

3. Select the drive by torque requirement

Choose a drive that can achieve the required installation torque with the available carrier pressure. Do not size the drive only from pile diameter or from machine horsepower.

A suitable drive should:

• Reach the project's required installation torque.
• Operate within the carrier's hydraulic pressure and flow capabilities.
• Allow the maximum installation torque to be controlled so the pile's structural torque limit is not exceeded.
• Provide an appropriate output shaft and mounting arrangement for the installation system.

Rev-Pile stocks screw-pile drives ranging from compact handheld systems through high-torque excavator-mounted drives. View Screw Pile Drives.

4. Match the mount to the carrier and the job

The drive is only one part of the system. The mounting arrangement affects visibility, alignment, articulation and the loads transferred into the carrier.

• Excavator mounts may use pin-grabber, Bobcat X-Change, Kubota quick-attach or other machine-specific interfaces.
• Gimbal mounts allow the drive to articulate while the operator controls pile alignment.
• Skid-steer / compact-track-loader systems may use fixed or telescopic mounting systems depending on drive size and required working height.

View Machine Mounts.

5. Choose the output interface and pile adaptor

Confirm the complete driveline before ordering:

Carrier → Mount → Hydraulic Drive → Torque Monitor (if used) → Output Shaft → Hub/Flange/Drive Tool → Pile

Common drive outputs include 2" hex, 2-1/2" hex, 3" hex, 75 mm square and 100 mm square. The final drive tool or adaptor must match the pile manufacturer's shaft/connection system.

View Pile Adaptors & Drive Tools.

6. Decide how installation torque will be measured

Many pile systems and engineered projects require installation torque to be monitored and recorded. Hydraulic pressure can be used to estimate drive torque when a valid drive-specific relationship is established, but it is not the same as directly measuring torque at the driveline.

Direct torque monitoring can reduce uncertainty caused by hydraulic-system variables such as drive efficiency, oil temperature, plumbing losses, relief settings and component condition. Rev-Pile offers Torq-Hub and Torq Spool systems for direct torque measurement.

View Torque Monitors.

7. Do not overlook alignment and pile advancement

Helical piles are intended to advance into the ground as the helices rotate. Excessive spinning without normal advancement can disturb the soil and can make installation-torque information less meaningful. Maintain alignment, adequate crowd/downward force and the pile manufacturer's required advancement during installation.

HALO alignment equipment is available on many Digga drive configurations to help the operator monitor pile/drive alignment. View HALO Accessories.

Information to send Rev-Pile for a drive recommendation

For the fastest recommendation, provide:

• Carrier make and model
• Auxiliary hydraulic flow in GPM
• Maximum auxiliary hydraulic pressure in PSI
• Pile manufacturer/system and shaft type
• Required or expected installation torque
• Maximum allowable pile installation torque
• Carrier coupler/mounting system
• Required drive/output interface
• Whether direct torque measurement or data recording is required

If you only know your machine model, contact Rev-Pile. We can help identify the information needed to configure the drive, mount, hoses, torque monitor and pile adaptor as a complete installation system.

Get an equipment recommendation   |   Contact Rev-Pile

Technical note: Screw piles/helical piles are structural foundation systems. Equipment selection does not replace pile-system engineering, manufacturer installation instructions, installer qualification requirements or approval by the authority having jurisdiction.