structures for marinas and ports. When building foundations
for these types of projects, he says, Legacy Contracting crews
mostly rely on steel pipe pile but timber piles are also used.
“Some marinas prefer wood pilings because they’re less
expensive and can be replaced. If they’re using non-pressure
treated timber pile, then they also don’t have to worry about
environmental effects,” said Howell.
“Some of the ports have a preference for steel pile, so it all
depends on what the customer wants,” he said. “We’ll bid on
every type of project and do our best to accommodate whatever
the design calls for.”
Managing environmental considerations
Howell says that one of Legacy Contracting’s specialities is
working in environmentally sensitive areas.
“The Pacific Northwest has a lot of delicate waterways, so
for many of our projects we have to be cognizant of fish runs,
seals, sea lions and other marine animals that could be affected
by our work,” he said.
This means using bubble curtains when working over
water, which helps block sound waves caused by driving pile,
as well as trying to limit the number of blows during the pile
driving process.
Oftentimes, Legacy Contracting’s pile driving crews will
also use vegetable oil in their machines in place of hydraulic
fluid, in an effort to minimize damage that can be caused by
leaking equipment when they’re working over water.
CONTRACTOR MEMBER
PILE TESTING EQUIPMENT
SPX POWER TEAM
RENTALS • SALES • SERVICE
Loadcell
Digitial Readout Box
Test Pile
Hydraulic
Jack
Dial Gauges
• Hydraulic Jacks 0-2000 Tons
• Loadcells with Digital Readout Boxes - 0-2000 Tons
• Centerhole Jacks 0-1500 Tons
Port Angeles
Terminal 1 loading dock
in Washington State
• Dial Indicators 0-14 inches
• Power Units - Electric, Gas or Manual
• Calibration Services up to 2000 Tons
W.B. Equipment Service Company, Inc.
Supplier of Hydraulic and Pneumatic Jacking Systems for Jacking and Pile Testing.
Toll free: 866-522-5467 • Fax: 201-438-7830 • Email: stephen.cireco@verizon.net • Web: www.wbequipment.com
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