Chilly Work

Construction of a dock up in Bellingham Washington, pilebucks are signaling an operator to set the vibro hammer on the pile.

(Pictures of the Crane that my buddy runs)

These may look like pretty awesome pictures of the snow but, try working in it!
At least snow is better than Rain!

(photos Courtesy of Mike Mcbride)

A Real "Dirty Job"

Crew From Piledrivers Local 2375

Think your job is hard?
Mike Rowe has nothing on these guys!
You don't get this dirty sitting on your hands all day!
Thanks for submissions!
I am glad to post photos and share stories from all the
hardworking guys out there!

~Local 2375 Pile Drivers~
photo courtesy of Dennis O. Jones

CRANE COLLAPSE

Here are a few pics of a piledriving crane that has collapsed. The reason for the collapse is still under investigation but it is thought that the boom failed. No one was hurt but work has been halted until the investigation is complete and new equipment is brought in. Being around a piledriver crane when it goes over is no fun, I was standing about 15 feet from a rig when it went over! What a big mess to clean up not to mention the money for new equipment. The big pipe in the mess is the pile that was going to be driven into the ground. In the second pic you'll see the piledriving hammer which hammers the pile into the ground. The crane in the third pic looks like it is popping a wheelie, but in fact the weight of the boom, leads, and pile are holding it up.

Looking for a Few Good Photos & Stories!

Me in the trenches

I'm just putting the word out for anyone who is interested! I would like to show the world all the hard work that we do! Have some pictures and/or stories you would like to share? Email me at: Smashedthumbs@yahoo.com and, I will give you credit! C'mon it's not the hard! And, why your at it leave me some comments!

Big Crane Pick

The big steel structure in these pictures is called the Aqueduct bridge. It is located in the little town of Lowell in Snohomish Co. The structure is only a pedestrian bridge that spans railroad tracks. The big hole in the center is for water run off from the streets and I-5. The water runs thru the bridge and comes out the other side to a water feature on the backside(the hole in the concrete wall in the back of the pic).
The bridge its self is about 180 feet long and weights a shit load! The crane used to pic this is a 400 ton mobile crane, pretty awesome.
(photos courtesy of Manny Barns)

Pre Demolition of WilburtonTunnel

Contractors moving in the heavy artillery for attack on the Wilburton tunnel. Follow up Photos of the aftermath will be posted shortly! Stay away from Southbound 405 South of Bellevue this weekend and next!


An aerial view of the Wilburton Tunnel shows trucks removing dirt in
preparation for the assault.

Precast Panel Setting

Over this past week we have been in the process of, setting precast panels. These panels are constructed off site and, delivered to us ready to set into place. These will be used to conceal the retaining wall for cosmetic purposes.

We pick the panels with a 65 ton crane. Here you see the angled rigging to the left of the photo. These are on rolling blocks so when the panels are picked up they won't break in half. (side view)

When we pick panels we have to use two lines, one for the top of the panel (with the round ball at the top and, one line at the back. Once its in the air we are able to disconnect the rigging from the back of the panel.

Here's the panel hanging from one line as, the crane swings it into position.

(Photos curteousy of Smashedthumbs)
This is the first few panels that we set so far. You can see the crane to the left of the photo here. As you can see the wall is getting higher which makes the panel heaver. They can weigh between 5,000 to 11,000 lbs.

Always use a pick plan, BE SAFE!

Here We Go Again...Another Freakin Night Show!

Working nights once again! In this picture you can see the drill rig, we use this to drill temporary shoring. (Made of steel H-pile, with one inch thick, steel plates in between.) These hold the dirt back so we can dig down along the side of the road. This is the construction of a new retaining wall for a new off ramp off I-405.

This pictures shows the 60 ton crane which we use to set the pile.

These are the pile that have been set 30 feet into the ground.

Here we are back filling the temporary shoring.

We use pea gravel in most areas for easy removal of the temp. shoring. Other times we use CDF which is, a sand, cement mix with little amount of cement. This just fills the voids around the pile to hold them into place.

(Photos courtesy of Smashedthumbs)

What is a Piledriver?

Someone may ask "What is a piledriver?" This is a question that I've tried to explain too many times to remember. This is my job, this is what I do! It's not a wresting move or a sexual position either so, get your mind out of the gutter!
The title "piledriver" is given to any member of the construction crew that work with the pile driving rigs. The actual piledriver rig is a vessel that drives piles into the the soil to provide the stability and, foundation for structures such as over passes, buildings, bridges or what have you. Pile drivers have a heavy weight placed between guides so that it can slide up and down in a fluid solid line. (Again, get your minds out of the gutter!) This is placed a top the pile and when the weight is raised to its highest point it is released thus, smashing the pile, driving it into the ground.
There, its that simple,
Piledrivers drive it Deeper!