The 625SH VibroHammer shores sand in Colorado Springs.

The biggest challenge Parker Excavating, Inc. is facing while laying new storm and sewer pipes at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO, is protecting existing sensitive utility lines from collapsing into the trenches. According to President and CEO Les Parker, they are excavating into typical blow sand which caves in easily under unstable conditions.

Parker Excavating is laying pipes with a diameter of 72" along an 8000' long route. Fiber optic and gas lines cross the path of the new sewer line as frequently as every several feet. In order to protect this sensitive equipment and keep it from collapsing into the trenches, Parker is shoring up the sandy soil with sheet piling, driven down to a depth of 24', using a Tramac 625SH Vibro Hammer on a CAT330. Once the sides of the trenches are secured, trench boxes are placed in the opening.

Rich Naylor, Parker’s sales rep at Colorado Machinery, Pueblo West, CO, tells us that prior to renting the vibro hammer, Parker was driving down the sheet piling using a Tramac TR40 plate compactor. The problem with this process is that the plate compactor does not have the ability to extract the sheet piles after work is completed in a given area. Parker would have had to bring in a crane and additional operators to handle the extraction work adding considerably to the time and expense of the project.

Asked what he liked about the 625SH, Parker had many good things to say. For one thing, he says, “It’s working very well and it’s easier and safer than what we were doing before.” He particularly likes the swivel head (SH) which allows the vibro hammer to rotate 90°, making it easy to clamp onto and lift sheets from the ground. Then there’s the versatility provided by the simple hydraulic installation, making it easy to switch in the field from bucket to vibro hammer.

The $4 million-plus Peterson Air Force Base project was begun last September and is expected to be completed by this September.