Vermeer Goes Compact With PD5 & PD5R Pile Drivers, Cites Market Growth Due To Solar Installations

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Vermeer’s new PD5 and PD5R pile drivers offer a relatively compact and lightweight design, ideal for congested worksites and smaller jobs. (Photo courtesy of Vermeer.)

Vermeer’s new PD5 and PD5R pile drivers offer many of the features found on the company’s popular PD10 and PD10R pile drivers, all while providing a more compact and lightweight design to better suit small installation projects, congested jobsites, and civil fencing and guardrail installation applications. Multiple units, for instance, can be transported on a single trailer with transportation weights of 10,350 pounds (4695 kilograms) for the PD5 and 10,300 pounds (4672 kilograms) for the PD5R.

Onboard Or Wireless Control

The two new machines are similar in design; one big distinction is the PD5R’s full-function wireless remote control that can engage the hammer, accurately align the pile to complete verticality using the auto-plumb feature, and position the machine. The PD5, by comparison, features machine-integrated controls located on the side of the machine.

The Feature Set

The PD5 and PD5R are both powered by a Cat 49-horsepower (36.5-kilowatt) Tier 4 Final diesel engine. To quickly move from pile to pile, the machines feature a forward travel speed of 2.6 mph (4.2 km/h), and during operation, both machines can utilize an optional laser receiver or a compatible third-party GPS system to help improve productivity by better aligning the machine to the specified pile install location. And with a 90-degree rotating platform and a 15-foot (4.6-meter) mast that can remain fully assembled during transportation, setup and teardown are simple processes.

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Many of the PDR5’s functions can be remotely controlled. (Photo courtesy of Vermeer.)

For The Solar Industry & More

Vermeer indicates that both models will be available by early 2020, which should be good news for builders who need agility around the jobsite.

“The solar industry has experienced tremendous growth in the last few years, and the Vermeer PD10 and PD10R pile drivers have been among the most widespread machines used for installing ground mount solar piles,” explains Ed Savage, product manager at Vermeer. “Of course, not every jobsite is the same, so we created the new PD5R and PD5 pile drivers to give contractors smaller and more lightweight options.”

Source: Vermeer

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