In a machine for driving screw anchors and other foundation components, a desired embedment depth is calculated based on a minimum required embedment depth, work point height and length of available upper leg sections. Once calculated, the machine automatically drives the screw anchor to the depth so that one of the available upper leg lengths will fit between the driven screw anchor and apex truss hardware. If uplift is detected during driving, the machine will add additional embedment depth. In-situ validation of driven screw anchors may be performed after the embedment depth is reached.

An apparatus for driving a pile section having a central opening into the ground includes a mast attachment with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section. When the mast is connected with an excavator and the drive cap is connected with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, a pile section is connected with the drive cap lower end and the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer is operated to drive the pile section into the ground. A system for driving piles into the ground includes an excavator, an apparatus connected with the excavator, and a plurality of base pile sections. The pile sections have an upper end surface containing a central opening which connects with the apparatus prior to driving the pile sections into the ground. The apparatus includes a mast with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section.

An apparatus for driving a pile section having a central opening into the ground includes a mast attachment with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section. When the mast is connected with an excavator and the drive cap is connected with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, a pile section is connected with the drive cap lower end and the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer is operated to drive the pile section into the ground. A system for driving piles into the ground includes an excavator, an apparatus connected with the excavator, and a plurality of base pile sections. The pile sections have an upper end surface containing a central opening which connects with the apparatus prior to driving the pile sections into the ground. The apparatus includes a mast with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section.

An apparatus for driving a pile section having a central opening into the ground includes a mast attachment with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section. When the mast is connected with an excavator and the drive cap is connected with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, a pile section is connected with the drive cap lower end and the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer is operated to drive the pile section into the ground.

A system for driving piles into the ground includes an excavator, an apparatus connected with the excavator, and a plurality of base pile sections. The pile sections have an upper end surface containing a central opening which connects with the apparatus prior to driving the pile sections into the ground. The apparatus includes a mast with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section.

An apparatus for driving a pile section having a central opening into the ground includes a mast attachment with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section. When the mast is connected with an excavator and the drive cap is connected with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, a pile section is connected with the drive cap lower end and the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer is operated to drive the pile section into the ground.

A system for driving piles into the ground includes an excavator, an apparatus connected with the excavator, and a plurality of base pile sections. The pile sections have an upper end surface containing a central opening which connects with the apparatus prior to driving the pile sections into the ground. The apparatus includes a mast with roped hydraulic cylinders, a high frequency hydraulic impact hammer connected with the mast, and a drive cap. The mast with roped hydraulic cylinders provides for vertical movement of the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer, and the drive cap connects with the high frequency hydraulic impact hammer and a pile section to transfer the drive force of the hammer to the pile section.

A non-impact fence post driver attachable to a front end loader or similar mobile machine for operation has a hydraulic driven sleeve assembly suspended from a U-joint so as to vertically self-align from the loader, and has a fence post holding shell assembly attached to the sleeve with retractable gate hinged locking assembly to hold the fence post securely near the bottom while driving the post.

A non-impact fence post driver attachable to a front end loader or similar mobile machine for operation has a hydraulic driven sleeve assembly suspended from a U-joint so as to vertically self-align from the loader, and has a fence post holding shell assembly attached to the sleeve with retractable gate hinged locking assembly to hold the fence post securely near the bottom while driving the post.

A non-impact fence post driver attachable to a front end loader or similar mobile machine for operation has a hydraulic driven sleeve assembly suspended from a U-joint so as to vertically self-align from the loader, and has a fence post holding shell assembly attached to the sleeve with retractable gate hinged locking assembly to hold the fence post securely near the bottom while driving the post.

A non-impact fence post driver attachable to a front end loader or similar mobile machine for operation has a hydraulic driven sleeve assembly suspended from a U-joint so as to vertically self-align from the loader, and has a fence post holding shell assembly attached to the sleeve with retractable gate hinged locking assembly to hold the fence post securely near the bottom while driving the post.

A double-acting hydraulic impact hammer includes a drop weight and an inner hydraulic piston. The drop weight is arranged to be driven in an upward and downward direction and the drop weight acts on a pile during its downward motion. The piston has a voided internal area defining a piston volume which is arranged to receive a piston rod and along which the piston extends and retracts axially. The piston volume is in sealed hydraulic communication with the hollow rod volume to form a first volume which changes size as the piston moves along the piston rod whereby the application of hydraulic pressure to the first volume biases the piston towards its extended position. The hammer includes a bore and a collar. The collar forms an outer piston having a working surface which when exposed to hydraulic fluid has sufficient surface area to lift the piston and the drop weight.