Want to know the easiest way to drive piles into the ground? Single-action hammer pile driving has become the industry’s first choice. Single-action hammers excel in soft soils, as well as medium-hard formations. Check out the table below to see how single-action compares to other options.
| Metric | Single-Acting Hammer | Diesel Hammer | Vibratory Hammer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piles per day | 20–30 | 15–20 | 40–50 |
| Noise level (dB) | 85–95 | 110–125 | 75–85 |
| Fuel cost per pile | $18–$25 | $35–$50 | $12–$18 |
| CO₂ emissions (tons/year) | 12–18 | 45–60 | 8–14 |
Single-acting hammers drive 20–30 piles a day, stay quieter than diesel hammers, and save you money on fuel. Now, let’s dive deeper into what makes this equipment so awesome.
What Is Single-Acting Hammer Pile Driving?
A single acting hammer pile driving is one where the hammer core is lifted by hydraulic or steam pressure, and then falls to the pile by its own weight. The hammer core is powered in only one direction. It’s simple but powerful. Here’s how it works:
- The hydraulic or steam system drives the hammer core to rise: working pressure 2,500–3,500 psi
- The hammer core falls freely under the action of gravity: 8,000–25,000 foot pounds of impact energy falls
- The impact energy is transferred to the pile body through a special anvil (tensile strength ≥690 MPa)
- Reciprocating cycle to achieve continuous pile driving
Typical hydraulic single-acting pile hammer models: ICE 1400 series, Junttan HHK series, BSP CX series, JUWEI HI Series.
See Hydraulic Impact Hammer Working Viedo:
Top 5 Jobs Single-Acting Hammers in 2025
According to the industry data analysis in 2025, single-acting pile hammers dominate the following five major engineering fields:
1. High-rise building foundation construction (45%)
Applicable to super-high-rise building pile foundation projects
Can handle precast piles with a diameter of 800-1500mm
Construction accuracy reaches ±2cm
Typical case: Shanghai Tower (632m) pile foundation project
2. Bridge foundation construction (22%)
Main pier foundation of cross-river and cross-sea bridges
Maximum processing depth can reach 80m
Adapt to complex hydrogeological conditions
Typical case: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge pile foundation construction
3. Offshore wind power foundation installation (18%)
Preferred equipment for single pile foundation construction
Maximum striking energy reaches 3500kJ
Strong wind and wave resistance
Typical case: Hornsea offshore wind farm in the UK
4. Slope support engineering (10%)
Retaining wall support pile construction
Maximum construction slope can reach 45°
Equipped with intelligent guidance system
Typical case: Hong Kong slope reinforcement project
5. Pipeline fixing engineering (5%)
Undersea pipeline anchor pile construction
Underwater operation depth of up to 50m
Equipped with remote monitoring system
Typical case: Nord Stream natural gas pipeline project
Single-acting pile hammer plays an important role in deep foundation construction due to its high efficiency, precision and environmental protection.
Why Choose Single-Acting Hammers?
There are many types of piling hammers on the market. Different types of hammers are suitable for different working conditions. Let’s compare below:
Vs. Double Acting Hammers
single acting hammers use gravity to fall (with greater force and slower speed). Double acting hammer uses hydraulic pressure in both directions (faster speed, lower power).
Vs. Diesel Hammers
single acting hammers are quieter (85-95 dB) and suitable for urban construction. The diesel hammer produces louder noise.
Vs. vibrating hammers
single acting hammers are suitable for hard soil due to their greater impact force. The vibratory hammer has a faster pile driving speed but less force.
As the technical consultant of Juwei Machinery, we recommend that clients choose the most suitable pile driving equipment based on their specific project conditions.
Best Soil Types for Single-Acting Hammer Pile Driving
Single-acting hammers don’t like every soil—they’re picky! They work best in:
- Dense granular soils: Think hard-packed sand or gravel.
- Stiff clays: Sticky, tough dirt that doesn’t squish easily.
Experts call these soils “SPT N-values 30–50.” In short, hard, packed dirt is its best friend! Soft mud? Not so much.
Keeping Your Hammer Happy: Maintenance Made Easy
Your hammer needs love to stay strong. Luckily, it’s not hard! Here’s what to know:
- Monthly maintenance takes 40-60 hours, which saves 30% maintenance time compared to diesel hammers.
- Check the hydraulic system weekly to ensure smooth operation.
- Look at the anvil for wear—it’s the part hitting the pile!
Less maintenance means more working time. Following a scientific maintenance plan ensures that the equipment is always in optimal working condition.
What is the Future Development Trend of Single Action Hammer?
The future of single-action hammer piling is exciting! The trends are as follows:
Intelligent upgrade:
62% of new models are equipped with AI control systems
Automatic parameter adjustment (accuracy ±0.5%)
Real-time construction monitoring (sampling frequency 100Hz)
Fault prediction accuracy > 95%
The penetration rate of remote operation and maintenance platforms has increased to 75%
The application rate of digital twin technology has reached 40%
Hybrid technology:
Energy saving effect increased by 35-40%
Carbon emissions reduced by 50%
Noise reduced by 15dB
Regional market analysis:
Asia-Pacific region dominates global demand (58% market share)
China: Driven by infrastructure investment in the ’14th Five-Year Plan’
India: Accelerated urbanization process
Southeast Asia: Infrastructure construction boom
Key application areas:
High-speed rail network construction
Smart city development
New energy projects (wind power, photovoltaics)
JUWEI Machinery technical reserves:
I-Hammer intelligent series is being developed
Hybrid power system development completed
Technical service center established in Asia Pacific
Participating in the formulation of new industry standards
As a pile driving equipment expert, we believe that the technological innovation of single-acting hydraulic hammer will drive the foundation construction industry towards intelligent and green development. JUWEI Machinery will continue to invest in research and development to provide customers with leading piling solutions.
Your Safety Checklist for Single-Acting Hammer Pile Driving
Safety first! Before you start, follow this checklist:
- Clear the zone: Keep an 8–12m space around the hammer.
- Watch the pile: Use real-time monitoring to keep it straight.
- Wear gear: Helmets and ear protection are a must!
Stay safe, and your project will go smoothly with JUWEI’s reliable equipment.
Conclusion:
Single-action hammer piling can work in hard soil. It is quieter and more environmentally friendly than the old diesel hammer!
Ready to power up your next project with JUWEI Machinery’s single-acting hammers? Contact us today!
