From Pile Breakers to Bailers: A Guide to Essential Piling Equipment

Pile Breakers: Breaking Down Piles Cleanly

Pile breakers are hydraulic tools used to break down piles during demolition, or to clear the tops of a pile after an over-pour. Each ram connects to the next, so a multi-stage breaker can work down through a pile section by section rather than in one uncontrolled hit. We stock breakers to suit a range of pile diameters, including units sized for piles around 900mm. Get in touch for sizing on your specific pile diameter.

If your job also involves placing concrete, see our concrete skips.

Pile Clips: Releasing Loads from the Ground

Pile clips, also called ground release shackles, are used to lift caissons, sheet piles and UC sections. Instead of sending a worker up in a man cage or ladder to unhook a load, the crew pulls a rope from the ground to release the shackle, so a load can be lifted and released as high as needed without extra access equipment. We stock single-rope shackles, which release with one pull, and double-rope shackles, which need one rope pulled before the second releases the load. Both types are supplied with current lifting certification, available on request.

If your job involves ground support as well as lifting, see our sheet piles and casing.

Down-the-Hole Grabs: Clearing Rock and Debris

Down-the-hole grabs are lowered by crane to pull rocks and boulders out of a hole. We supply single-rope grabs, which hook up to a chandelier (a lifting frame) for lowering and retrieval. These are typically used on sites where drilling has hit rock or where obstructions need clearing before piling can continue, and pair with our rig drilling equipment range.

Free Weights: Drop Hammers for Piling Work

Free weights, or drop hammers, are dropped down a pile or hole as part of the piling process. Ours are fitted with two top hooks, designed to reduce the risk of the weight being lost down the hole if a rope fails during use.

Bailers: Removing Water and Mud from the Hole

Bailers go by several names on-site, including bailors, balers, and Suckimotos, but they're all suction bailers. They're used to remove water and mud from a hole quickly, and are typically used with a crane on larger diameter holes. Inside, a piston and rubber flange work with a gate, or a second piston, at the base of the unit to hold and release the contents.

Our bailers are available in diameters from 405mm to 1200mm. Exact suitability depends on hole diameter, depth and ground conditions on the day, so confirm with our team before booking. Where concrete needs to go into a wet or deep hole after bailing, our tremie equipment delivers it directly to the base of the hole, helping reduce segregation and maintain consistency.

Lifting Cages: Access at Height for Crews

Lifting cages attach to cranes or forklifts to give crews access at height. Cages are supplied with current lifting certification, available on request, and rigging and operation must be carried out by a competent person in line with WorkSafe NZ requirements. We stock 2-man, 4-man and 8-man cages, sized to suit the number of workers on site.