We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is a Vibratory Hammer?

By Amy Hunter
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
AboutMechanics is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At AboutMechanics, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

A vibratory hammer is a type of pile driver. Pile drivers are large pieces of equipment that drive piles, or foundation supports, into the ground. They are used on docks, highways and large building constructions.

A vibratory hammer is a specialized piece of equipment that uses vibration to change the soil formations so that the hammer can drive in the pile using its own weight. It makes quick work of hammering into heavy or hard piles, and allows for an increase of efficiency on the worksite. These hammers are used to drive in piles as well remove them.

There are two components to a vibratory hammer, the gear case and the compressor. The gear case contains weights that rotate around the case, creating a vibration. The weights are set in motion and maintain their synchronicity with a hydraulic motor attached to the gear case. A clamp attached to the bottom of the gear case transports the vibration into the pile.

The vibratory hammer is placed over the pile with the help of a piece of large equipment, such as a crane or excavator. The hammer is then attached to the pile through a series of clamps or bolts. A separate trailer containing hydraulic fluid is attached to the hammer. If the hammer is put in place with an excavator, the hammer can run off the excavator's engine.

Vibratory hammers are effective in a variety of different types of soil, including clay, sand, and granular. These hammers can also be modified for use underwater. They are very large and used in the industrial setting. They are commonly used to drive piles for such projects as ports and in highway construction.

There are many benefits to the use of vibratory hammers. A hammer of this type requires less force to drive a pile. Compared to other hammers that would be used in the same situation, vibratory hammers are relatively quiet. These hammers are often chosen when construction work is conducted in an urban area where the noise of a traditional pile hammer would be a problem. Vibratory hammers also make a good choice when the pile is located in an area without sufficient clearance to accommodate a traditional pile driver.

AboutMechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

By Rundocuri — On May 26, 2014

@raynbow- I think that the type of equipment that your brother would have to learn how to use would depend on the type of construction work that he would like to do in his career. Any type of equipment can be dangerous if the operator doesn't know how to use it properly. That is why training is the first step to working in the field of construction. With proper training, operating a vibratory hammer is not more dangerous than operating other types of equipment.

By Raynbow — On May 25, 2014

I was wondering if this is the type of equipment that someone who is going into the construction industry would have to learn how to use. My brother is considering this field, but using a vibratory hammer sounds dangerous.

AboutMechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

AboutMechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.