V65 Tackles Huge Manhattan Excavation
from our June, 2000 Issue

Urban Foundation/Engineering LLC, East Elmhurst, NY, is one of the largest foundation contractors in the northeast. When they're called in on a job, it often requires their large-scale arsenal of machines and manpower.

Urban isn't afraid of the big the big stuff. They presently run four V55s and have recently added Tramac's newest hammer and biggest hitter – the V65 – to their lineup.

Making A Big Hole in Hard Rock
Manhattan Island is a big chunk of bedrock granite, one reason that the skyscraper could be invented there. But it makes digging a tall order!

The powerful V65 – recently introduced in the USA after two years of prototype testing in Europe – came along at a most opportune time. Urban is currently excavating for the foundation of the new Random House 60-story office/apartment complex in midtown Manhattan. They're breaking through heavy granite, going down 40 ft. below street level and removing 20,000 cubic yds. of rock. Urban constructed a ramp to allow dump trucks to back down into the pit and remove the tons of debris.

The feedback from the site has been excellent. According to Ben DiGiorgio of Urban, the V65 (mounted on a CAT245) is appreciably more powerful than the V55 and is speeding up the project, which is expected to take three or four months.

The V65 is Tramac's largest, most powerful model, requiring a carrier between 100,000 and 150,000 lbs. It is designed specifically for large foundation excavations and trenching. Patented V-Technology enables the hammer to sense the hardness of the material and adjust power and striking rate for greatest productivity. It also features Tramac's unique TPS Tool Protection System, fully hydraulic operating system (no gas assistance), and auto-lubrication.

As with most city projects, blasting was not an alternative. Aside from the vast underground network of utility conduits, this particular location is close to the Seventh Avenue subway. Throughout the excavation and ensuing construction, the Transit Authority will be monitoring the subway tunnel, making sure the seismographic reading stays below a very safe 0.5.

Gerry Alessi of R. Alessi Equipment Co., New Rochelle, NY, visits the site frequently keeping tabs on the progress.