Obscure industrial machines, explained.

What they are. Why they're used. What they cost. What breaks.

What Is This?A hydraulic piling rig mounted on a crawler crane.It installs deep foundations for buildings, ports, and bridges—driving or drilling piles 20–60+ meters into the ground.

Why Does It Exist?Used when:
- Shallow foundations can't handle the load
- Vibration limits rule out impact hammers
- Soil conditions require precision drillingThe choice between impact, vibratory, or rotary methods depends on geology, regulations, and what the neighbors will tolerate.

What Does It Cost?Buy: $2–4M fully configured
Rent: $10k–30k/day depending on size and attachmentsThe real cost driver isn't the sticker price—it's utilization. A $3M rig sitting idle costs more than a $4M rig running 80% of the time.

What Breaks- Hydraulic hoses and power packs (constant stress)
- Sensors and electronics (heat + dust)
- Long-lead spare parts (6–12 week delays kill schedules)Fleet managers who don't stock spares learn this the expensive way.

Who Should Care- Contractors pricing foundation work
- Fleet managers tracking utilization
- Engineers specifying equipment
- Insurers and lenders assessing risk
- Anyone who's ever looked at a construction site and wondered "what IS that thing?"

No ads. No fluff.Contact: [email protected]
X: @whatisthisrigPaid field guide coming soon. DM for early access.