Pile clamp systems and methods

A clamp assembly for attaching a pile defining a longitudinal axis to a pile driving apparatus for inserting and/or extracting the pile, comprising:

• a housing;
• a first pivot assembly pivotably attached to the housing;
• a first gripping assembly rotatably attached to the first pivot assembly;
• a second pivot assembly pivotably attached to the housing;
• a second gripping assembly rotatably attached to the second pivot assembly;
• a first actuating assembly for displacing the first pivot assembly and the first gripping assembly such that the first gripping assembly moves towards the second gripping assembly;
• and
• a second actuating assembly for displacing the second pivot assembly and the second gripping assembly such that the second gripping assembly moves towards the first gripping assembly;
• wherein
• the first and second actuating assemblies move the first and second gripping assemblies towards each other such that
• the pile is gripped between the first and second gripping assemblies to inhibit axial and radial movement of the pile relative to the housing, and
• a center of gravity of the clamp assembly is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pile.