Systems and methods for handling piles

A method of driving a pile comprising the steps of:

• providing an engaging system comprising a primary housing and a secondary housing;
• operatively connecting a yoke member to an arm assembly of a support system;
• operatively connecting an arm actuator assembly between the arm assembly and the yoke member such that actuation of the arm actuator assembly displaces the yoke member relative to the arm member;
• operatively connecting a coupler mount to the yoke member;
• operatively connecting at least one lateral actuator assembly between the yoke member and the coupler mount to rotate the coupler mount relative to the yoke member;
• operatively connecting a coupler bearing assembly to the primary housing and the coupler mount, where the coupler bearing assembly allows rotation of the engaging system about a rotation axis relative to the support system;
• arranging a rotation actuator to cause the engaging system to rotate relative to the support system about the rotation axis;
• configuring a suspension system to resiliently oppose movement of the secondary housing within a limited range of movement relative to the primary housing;
• rigidly connecting a vibratory system to the secondary housing;
• supporting a first clamp assembly from the secondary housing, where a first clamp member comprises first and second grip members configured to define a clamp plane;
• supporting at least one pick member such that the at least one pick member extends laterally relative to at least one of the first and second grip members in a direction substantially parallel to the first clamp plane, where each pick member defines a tip portion;
• supporting a second clamp assembly from the secondary housing;
• operating the first clamp assembly in a first mode to rigidly connect the secondary housing to a side of the pile;
• and
• operating the second clamp assembly in a second mode to rigidly connect the secondary housing to an end of the pile;
• operating the second clamp assembly in a third mode to rigidly connect the secondary housing to the side of the pile;
• operating the second clamp assembly in a fourth mode in which the tip portion of the at least one pick member engages at least one sheet pile of a substantially horizontal stack of sheet piles to remove the at least one sheet pile from the stack of sheet piles;
• and
• driving the pile in at least one of the first and second modes using at least one of
• a driving force generated by the support system, and
• a vibrational force generated by the vibratory system.