APE Receives Caltrans Approval At Stoney Creek Bridge In California
Reported From: APE Western (CA)
APE has supplied the largest pile hammer ever made in the USA to MCM Constructors to drive 8-foot diameter caissons for the Stoney Creek Bridge. The specifications called for a Menck hammer but MCM paid $200,000 up front to APE to design the giant hammer. The new APE Model 750 has a ram weight of 120,000 pounds and strokes 6.25 feet. The hammer has been fully tested by Caltrans.
MCM has been using an APE Model D100 diesel hammer to start the caissons. The big APE hammer is placed on the caisson only after the D100 reaches a blow count of more than 330 blows to the foot. Once the big hammer is put on the caisson, the blow count drops to under 30 blows per foot.
The APE Model 750 is being rented for $50,000 per month. It runs off the standard power unit used for the APE King Kong (Model 400 vibro).
MCM also owns an APE Model 150 and Model 200 plus a J&M manufactured ICE 44.
