I own an older Hilti TP800 medium duty demolition hammer
(not rotary). The model has since been replaced. I did
purchase an 8" long bit with a "socket" end to fit over
a 3/4" ground rod. I don't recall precisely but a figure
in the $40 to $50 range comes to mind. This was a few
years ago. Obviously, unless you can rent or borrow a
Hilti or plan on putting in a lot of rods I'm sure you
can find a better use for something like $1K.
Come to think of it... anybody want to buy the bit?
My hammer died breaking up the above-ground concrete of
an LM tower base. Not worth fixing. Assuming the bit
style hasn't changed... you might find a newer Hilti to
borrow or rent (or purchase).
Also, Erico Products (who make the CadWeld brand of
exothermic welding equipment) also sold different sizes
of machine tool steel driving "bits" that you place over
the rod and pound in with a hammer. Thus, preventing
serious 'mushrooming' of the rod head. I have those as
well. I bought them and the CadWelding stuff from the
local GE Supply electrical house.
As others have stated here. I'm sure there are other
equivalents out there from other manufacturers.
73
Kimo Chun, KH7U
kh7u@arrl.net
*****
Message: 5
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 15:36:46 -0800
From: "noddie" <noddie@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tools for Installing Ground Rod?
To: "'noddie'" <noddie@comcast.net>, "'Dr. Howard S. White'"
<drpaper@msn.com>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <001101c62075$dffc3c70$0200a8c0@bosserver>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I should have been more descriptive about the tool I used, mine was a rotary
hammer drill by Hilti, with a special attachment. The attachment is easy to
find and usually the rental shop will have one. I was getting confused with
my UK description:)
Mike
Hi Howard,
I also have very hard compacted clay. I used an impact hammer with a
special attachment designed for ground rods. I borrowed mine, but you can
rent them cheaply. It took all of about five minutes each rod to drive
down.
Mike K6BR
My soil is very, very hard clay which makes it a perfect tower base... in
fact we had to jack hammer it out to build the base...
... Strong constructions workers hitting the top of the 8' ground rods with
Sledge Hammers they were able to drive 1 in about 4 feet and one about 5
feet... neither is deep enough....
Any suggestions on what mechanical or power tool to use to drive ground rods
further into the ground. Plus I want to put in a few more....
__________________________________________________________
Howard S. White Ph.D. P. Eng., VE3GFW/K6 ex-AE6SM KY6LA
Website: www.ky6la.com
"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"
"Ham Antennas Save Lives - Katrina, 2003 San Diego Fires, 911"
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