Model

 MS1 HFB MS3 HFB MS4 HFB
Weight (kg) 350 830 1230
Max. centrifugal force (kN) 90 296 374
Eccentric moment (kgm) 0.7 3 4.2
Max. oil flow (l/min) 102 120 171
Max. working pressure (bar) 300 300 300

 

  230M (B) 328M (B) 428M (B) 625M (B) 823b E5 FM E7 FM
Eccentric moment (kgm) 2.2 3.2 4 6 8 4.6 6.6
Max. centrifugal force (kN) 220 275 345 410 464 395 452
Max. frequency (rpm) 3000 2800 2800 2300 (2500) 2300 2800 2500
Max. amplitude (incl univ damp) (mm) 7 (6) 9.5 (8.5) 10 (9) 14.5 (13) 19.1 10 16
Max. static line pull (kN) 100 100 120 120 120 120 120
Dynamic weight (incl univ damp) (kg) 640 (720) 660 (740) 795 (900) 825 (930) 940 700 705
Total weight (incl univ clamp) (kg) 875 (1080) 885 (1090) 1065 (1280) 1095 (1300) 1310 1495 1515
Height A (excluding bracket) (mm) 1095 (1320) 1095 (1320) 1145 (1388) 1145 (1388) 1115 1378 1379
Width B (mm) 575 (530) 575 (530) 710 (612) 710 (612) 612 725 767
Length C (mm) 1230 (1115) 1230 (1115) 1300 (1115) 1300 (1115) 1003 1380 1380
Depth D (mm) 258 258 300 300 385 344

344
Power Pack  ICE 100 ICE 100 ICE 180RF ICE 180RF ICE 330RF N/A N/A

    The vibratory piling hammer, or Excavator Mounted Vibrator (EMV), is ideal for installing trench sheets and sheet piles in cohesive or granular soils. It uses high-frequency vibration to loosen the soil, helping piles slide in with less resistance and noise.

    It can be mounted in two ways: directly to the dipper arm using a bracket, or with a Piletec VibroSafe Adaptor if the excavator is compatible. This adaptor works with a fully automatic quick hitch coupler for safe and fast setup.

    The EMV has a slim design, making it easy to drive between nearby piles. The clamp can also be turned 90 degrees to work close to walls or other structures. For specialist jobs, the unit can run from a separate power pack.

    If your project involves compact or rocky terrain, consider our Impact Hammer, which delivers higher percussive energy for harder ground conditions.

FAQs

What is an EMV piling hammer?

An Excavator Mounted Vibrator (EMV) is a vibratory piling hammer designed to drive and extract sheet piles and trench sheets. It uses high-frequency vibrations to reduce soil resistance, making installation faster and quieter than traditional impact methods.

 


Which ground conditions are vibratory piling hammers best suited for?

 



Vibro piling hammers are compatible with most modern excavators. They can be mounted using a traditional bracket or a VibroSafe Quick Hitch Adaptor for safe, hands-free installation. Our team can advise on compatibility during hire. Every EMV piling hammer hire includes the option for expert on-site installation by fully trained Groundforce Service Engineers. 


What if I need to install piles near a wall or tight space?

The EMV’s clamp can be rotated 90°, allowing for face piling and operation close to existing structures.


Do you offer piling hammer installation support?

 





Yes. Groundforce offers expert on-site installation of all piling hammers by fully trained Service Engineers. We’ll ensure your EMV is mounted safely and correctly, helping avoid downtime and setup issues.

 


Is technical documentation provided with the hire?

 





All piling hammer hires include detailed user guides, safe loading data, pressure limits, and setup instructions. Additional safety training is also available through our Groundforce Training team.

 


What are the delivery and collection options?

Groundforce offer nationwide delivery and collection from 18 depots across the UK. Our FORS Silver-accredited fleet ensures compliant, safe, and efficient transport to and from your site.

 


What What ground conditions are best when using an EMV?

Vibratory piling hammers are more suited to the granular and cohesive conditions found in sand, gravel, and other particulate soils.

 


Why do EMVs work so well in granular or particulate soils?

The pile is driven using a counter-balance system which generates a high speed vibration, allowing the pile to travel into the ground as the soil is made fluid or ‘liquefied’ by the vibrations.

 


Why is using an EMV so cost effective?

A vibratory piling hammer ‘used in the right soil conditions’ can significantly decrease driving time and mitigate groundwork costs due to the time savings.


How noisy are EMVs?

Because an EMV relies on vibration rather than an impact driver, they are often the first choice for use in residential and domestic environments. In addition, EMVs are less likely to cause damage to roads or buried services.



 


Is a course available on how operate an EMV?

Yes, Groundforce Training offers an Excavator Mounted Vibrator (EMV) and Pre Auger Course which introduces the learner to the theoretical and practical dangers of Excavator Mounted Vibrators (EMVs) and Augers.



 


Related Files

(3.65 MB)
Excavator Mounted Vibrators (EMVs) User Guide
(1.05 MB)
Free Suspended Vibrators (FSVs) User Guide

Piling Hammers – Piletec Demonstration

Discover Piletec’s range of Piling Hammers in action. This video showcases,how Piling Hammers attach to excavators for efficient sheet pile installation. Perfect for construction teams looking to boost productivity, reduce noise and vibration on site, and improve safety through quick coupling systems. Watch how our Piling Hammers deliver reliable, high-performance piling solutions.

Enquire Now

Piling Hammer Applications

Our vibratory piling hammers (EMVs) are purpose-built for sheet and trench piling in cohesive or granular soils. Their low noise and vibration levels make them ideal for urban, rail, and environmentally sensitive environments.

Typical applications include:

  • Basement Excavations and Retaining Walls: install sheet piles for shoring and support in confined spaces
  • Urban Environments: EMVs are well-suited for tight urban environments, with low noise and minimal vibration, making them ideal near residential or historic buildings. The clamp can rotate 90°, allowing for precise piling even in restricted or close-quarter spaces.
  • Bridge and Road Foundations: drive trench sheets for abutments and ground retention
  • Utility Projects: create safe access and soil support for pipelines, drainage, and power systems
  • Flood Defence and Waterways: install sheet piles along rivers, canals, and coastlines
  • Rail Infrastructure: support excavations and embankments near active lines with minimal ground disturbance.

Piling Hammer Safety & Compliance

Every Groundforce Piletec piling hammer is manufactured and maintained to the highest safety standards, with full compliance under ISO 9001, ISO 16001, and OHSAS 18001 frameworks.

To support safe installation and use, every piling hammer hire is backed with:

  • Technical user guides and setup instructions
  • Clear safe loading data and pressure limitations
  • Optional training and support from our Groundforce Training team
     

Why Hire From Groundforce?

With over 40 years of experience, Groundforce Piletec is one of the UK’s most trusted providers of piling hammer hire. We offer flexible hire terms, reliable stock availability, and expert technical advice backed by fully trained engineers and Hire Desk staff.

Our equipment supports everything from routine works to some of the industry’s most complex ground engineering projects.
 

Delivery & Collection Information

Every Groundforce Piletec piling hammer delivery is handled by our in-house logistics team and a fleet of purpose-built HGVs, each specified for safe loading, transport, and off-loading of equipment.

  • Trusted transport credentials: the fleet is independently audited under the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and has held FORS Silver accreditation since 2016, confirming full compliance with CLOCS and Transport for London Work-Related Road-Risk standards. 
  • Trained in-house drivers: Groundforce drivers are HGV Class 1 licensed, ALLMI-certified for lorry loader lifting, and health and safety trained.
  • Nationwide coverage: with 18 depots across the UK, Groundforce provide quick delivery and collection no matter where your project is based. 

At the end of hire, our team will arrange fast pickup with minimal disruption, keeping your project moving. 

Groundforce’s delivery and collection service is on 40 years of excavation-support expertise, independently accredited transport standards, and a commitment to keeping every trench box hire safe, compliant, and on schedule. 

On-Site Installation Support

Every EMV piling hammer hire includes the option for expert on-site installation by fully trained Groundforce Piletec Service Engineers. 

Our team ensures each unit is correctly mounted, tested, and safely integrated with your excavator, minimising setup time and reducing risk on site.

With our technical support, you can be confident that your equipment is installed to the highest standards and ready to perform from day one.

You May Also Like

Gooseneck Extension

Gooseneck Extension

The Gooseneck Extension is used to extend the vibrator’s height and reach and is simply mounted on the jib of the excavator. This facility is particularly useful for driving longer piles in soft ground conditions where there is a need to reach over and down embankments or to clear obstructions etc. As well being compatible with the hammer models listed in the table above, the Gooseneck can also be used with the more powerful E5FM and E7FM Excavator Mounted Vibrators.

VibroSafe Quick Hitch Adaptor

VibroSafe Quick Hitch Adaptor

The Piletec VibroSafe Quick Hitch Adaptor is a specially developed piece of equipment that is exclusive to Piletec. The VibroSafe connects Excavator Mounted Vibratory Hammers via the excavator’s quick hitch system. The adaptor comes pre-assembled; eliminating the need for the fitting or removal of bolts and pins. The VibroSafe can be used with 90% of all quick hitch systems from 12–25 tonne excavators.

Larssen Sheet Piles

Larssen Sheet Piles

Larssen Piles are a type of sheet piling that has an interlocking section which forms a sheet piling retaining wall. Each sheet pile section is connected at 180 degrees from the previous one to form a uniform wall with alternating troughs and peaks. Larssen Sheet Piles are typically used in temporary or permanent cofferdams, retaining walls and foundation construction.

V901 Vibration Monitor

V901 Vibration Monitor

The V901 is battery powered portable vibration monitoring equipment, purpose designed for ground vibration monitoring of blasting, piling, demolition, construction and traffic vibrations.