TM 5-3895-363-13&P
9. STARTING THE HAMMER
DON’T START WITHOUT READING
SECTION 5.
9.1 NORMAL STARTING
9.1.1 Raise hammer.
9.1.2 Set pile and place hammer on top of it. Let
hammer and pile sink in the ground. Hammer
and pile must be in perfect alignment. Mis-
alignment causes jarring blows which lead to
excessive wear and tear on hammer, and is a
major cause for pile damage.
9.1.3 Make sure the impact block is all the way in
the lower cylinder.
CAUTION:
Never try to start the hammer with the impact
block hanging out of the lower cylinder.
9.1.4 Pull pump lever rope tight so no fuel will be
injected (cold blow).
9.1.5 Pull trip rope down and raise tripping device
until the piston releases. With the fuel pump
shut off, this is called a cold blow, and has
the purpose of:
A.) Blowing excessive grease and oil out
of the combustion chamber.
B.) Seating the pile firmly without running
out of alignment.
9.1.6 Make 3 to 4 cold blows.
9.1.7 Release pump lever rope and start hammer
(Fig. 21).
Figure 21
9.1.8 To stop hammer, pull pump lever rope and
hold tight.
9.2 COLD WEATHER STARTING
Starting in cold weather, especially in regions
having moist air, can present problems, but by
revising procedures, they may be minimized.
9.2.1
9.2.2
9.2.3
9.2.4
Fill tank with warm fuel.
Start up hammer on a driven pile to warm
up. If this is not possible, start up on heavy
timber blocking.
Inject ether into exhaust port when piston
is in raised position.
CAUTION:
Do not overload with ether.
Water in fuel is the major problem in winter.
It is formed in fuel tank by condensation.
Drain periodically.
10. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
10.1 DAILY MAINTENANCE
10.1.1 Keep bolts and nuts tight at all times. Im-
mediately tighten or replace loose or broken
bolts.
10.1.2
10.1.3
10.1.4
10.1.5
10.1.6
10.1.7
Fuel and oil up hammer.
After every 30-40 minutes of driving time,
grease each grease fitting on lower cylinder
(four grease fittings) with 4 to 5 strokes from
the grease gun. Use only:
TRC Moly-High-Temp grease
Manufactured by Texas Refinery Corp.
CAUTION:
When greasing, set the hammer on the
ground or on a pile so the impact block is
fully pushed into machine. Do not grease
when the impact block is hanging out.
Grease fittings on upper cylinder are only
to be greased on batter piles in Intervals of
two hours of driving time (4 to 5 strokes).
Check grease fitting on tripping device/
lifting cam and grease as needed.
Replace broken or plugged grease fittings
immediately.
Check all cables, hammer, lead and drive
cap. Make sure cables are of sufficient capa-
city for load requirements. (See OSHA table
at the back of this manual.)
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