Q: What is a multiplier used for?
A multiplier goes on the powerhead when the torque required exceeds the torque available in the powerhead. It has a factor of 4 in the gear set internally. For example if you used a 100,00Nm powerhead to install the piles as far as the 100,000Nm torque available you then fit the multiplier on and install to 200,000Nm.
Q: Why use a multiplier? Why not use a powerhead which has the capability to go to a higher torque?
By first using a powerhead with a faster speed then adding a multiplier to complete the installation a pile can be installed more quickly than if a powerhead with a slower speed is used. A powerhead with an output of 100,000Nm or 150,000Nm installs piles much faster than a powerhead with 200,000Nm or 300,000Nm output. A multiplier and powerhead combination enables piles to be installed to a larger torque more quickly than if a powerhead with that output is used.
Q: Isn't it a hassle to use a multiplier?
Fitting of the multiplier only takes a few minutes. Although this is an inconvenience, the time saved in the installation far outweighs the additional time that is taken when using a dedicated 200,000Nm or 300,000Nm powerhead. The difference is the speeds for each powerhead as provided in the table below. (The likely output speeds provided are for a typical 30 tonne machine.)
| Powerhead torque capability | 100,000 Nm | 150,000 Nm | 300,000 Nm |
| Typical start up speed | 40+ rpm | 30+ rpm | 15 rpm |
Q: Can you give me an example?
Imagine you are installing 10 off 100 tonne screw pile up to 6m depth.
A) You have a 300,000Nm powerhead and it installs the piles in about 5 hours.
B) You have a 150,000Nm powerhead and install all the piles to 150,000Nm, then attach the multiplier and complete the installation to the required torque. It takes about 3 hours.
A multiplier allows substantial time to be saved on site and the return on investment can be short when completing larger jobs.
Q: What kind of difference would it make to installation speeds with my machine?
If you would like information about likely output speeds for a specific machine please contact us and we can obtain the relevant hydraulic flow charts and advise the likely output speeds.
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