TrimPile lays foundations with Sullair

When TrimPile decided to take its pile-trimming and concrete-breaking business to the next level, the company chose air compressor and jack-hammer technology from Sullair Australia.

Establishing solid, reliable foundations is crucial for the structural integrity and longevity of nearly all constructions. Helical piles, impact-driven piles, drilled shafts, caissons, piers, and earth-stabilised columns all go some way to transferring the structure's load to the earth, and provide a steadfast base on which the structure can be built.

The formative stages of building a successful business with long-term prospects is not dissimilar to laying the foundations of a building. Just as reinforced concrete piles anchor the structure to the earth, careful planning, preparation and implementation underpin the success of a business, and provide a reliable foundation on which it can grow.

Victorian pile-trimming and concrete-breaking group, TrimPile, is one company with expertise in establishing foundations both on and off the worksite. After forming the only Victoria-based pile-trimming group in 2007, TrimPile is taking the next step in its fast-track development. An important element in the company’s growth has been the support from one of Australia's leading compressed-air specialists, Sullair Australia.

Pile particulars
A fundamental 'deep-foundation' technology, reinforced concrete piles are commonplace on most commercial building sites. The piles are driven or poured-in-place effectively transferring the load from the structure to a deep layer of soil or bedrock. Once installed, the piles must be trimmed to the required level to allow the above-ground construction to continue. Compressed air plays a major role in this process.

Removing what can sometimes be up to several metres of excess foundation, pile trimming can be laborious and time-consuming. Where access is available, large excavator-mounted hammers can be used to trim the piles, saving time and labour. However, at most construction sites, there are a number of activities happening concurrently, so this level of access is usually not permitted. Furthermore, such powerful excavator-mounted hammers have the potential to damage the pile or compromise its structural integrity, causing costly and time-consuming repair or replacement.

According to TrimPile Director, Danny Allen, hand-held air-driven jack-hammering provides many advantages over the excavator-mounted hammer method of pile trimming. “Operators have more control with a hand-held jack-hammer, and are less likely to damage the functional portion of the pile,” he says. “Jack-hammers are also more manoeuvrable and not limited by site-access issues.”
 
Sullair solution
Since forming in early 2007, TrimPile has set the benchmark for pile trimming and concrete breaking in the Victorian construction industry. In its infancy, TrimPile relied on hired portable air compressors and air-driven jack-hammers. In the last year however, Allen and his team found that hiring equipment presented a number of limitations. “Often, the equipment we hired was substandard or not available at all,” says Allen. “We would regularly have to make do with the equipment we could get hold of'. There had to be a better way.”

With a burgeoning workload just 18 months after its establishment, TrimPile sought expert compressed air advice from Sullair Australia. “We needed gear that was designed and manufactured to withstand the hot, humid and dusty conditions experienced on Australia’s construction sites,” says Allen. “You can’t afford to have breakdowns on site, so we needed a reliable compressed-air solution.”

Initially, Sullair Australia supplied TrimPile with one 375DPQ rotary screw portable compressor (which delivers compressed air at a rate of 375cfm at 100psig), as well as four 60-pound Sullair MPB60 paving breaker jack-hammers. The air compressor is equipped with a five-outlet manifold so all four jack-hammers can be operated simultaneously along with an air-driven concrete saw. “We're delighted with the performance of the Sullair compressor,” says Allen. “It has plenty of 'grunt', which allows us to run multiple tools at the same time.”

Try then buy
Rather than 'sell off the brochure', Sullair provided the TrimPile team with the opportunity to 'road test' the Sullair jack-hammers on site. “We jumped at the chance to test out the Sullair gear in a 'real' situation,” says Allen. “The hired jack-hammers would often 'freeze up' which was time-consuming and potentially costly. The Sullair MPB60s performed exceptionally, with no freeze-ups.”

According to Sullair Victorian Product Manager, Daryl Davis, the MPB60 paving breaker jack-hammer is one of the most reliable in its class. “Unlike other jack-hammers, the MPB60s don't require additional oil lubrication, which saves time and maintenance,” he says. “Additional savings can be realised thanks to the MPB60's efficient compressed air use. The unit's direct-impact piston design minimises air consumption without compromising performance--you get more 'bang for your buck'.”

The MPB60 jack-hammers obtained by TrimPile are extremely quiet. “The piston impacts directly on the steel shank rather than a tappet, which reduces noise levels dramatically,” says Davis. “The silenced units are handy for smaller concrete-breaking application like those in built-up or residential areas.”

The MPB60 jack-hammer's ergonomic design was a real benefit for TrimPile. “The minimal vibration and reduced kickback means less fatigue for the operator,” says Allen. "The unit's combination of manoeuvrability and hard-hitting power is also a real feature. It allows us to complete jobs sooner, while maximising the operator's comfort.”

Super service
With over 30 years experience in the construction industry, Allen has an eye for quality and a keen sense of what does and doesn't work on site. Following TrimPile's initial purchases, the concrete-breaking expert has gone on to acquire five more Sullair jack-hammers. “I reckon I've used just about every make of air compressor and jack-hammer over the years,” he says. “The Sullair gear is built tough. It's right up there with the best.”

TrimPile was particularly impressed with Sullair's thoroughness and compressed-air expertise. “The Sullair team's compressed-air knowledge simplified the compressor selection process,” explains Allen. “The level of service we received from Sullair prior to, during and after making our selections was a real feature. They even modified the towing hitch on the compressor, and accompanied us to VicRoads to ensure all the appropriate registrations were in order. This kind of service is extremely valuable, especially when you are taking a significant step in growing a business.”

With TrimPile's own business foundation well established, the team can focus on preparing the initial building blocks on construction sites throughout Australia. “We have plans to extend our compressor and jack-hammer fleet in the near future,” says Allen. “It's reassuring to know we have a compressed-air specialist like Sullair in our corner.”
                          

TrimPile Director, Danny Allen, puts the Sullair MPB60 jack-hammer through its paces