IE20120002A1

IE20120002A1 - Improved post driver

Info

Publication number: IE20120002A1
Application number: IE20120002A
Authority: IE
Inventors: John Mowatt Bryce
Original assignee: John Mowatt Bryce
Priority date: 2011-01-14
Filing date: 2012-01-06
Publication date: 2012-09-26
Also published as: GB201100600D0; GB2493115B; IE20130053A1; IE86241B1; GB2485918A; GB201217959D0; GB201200118D0; GB2493115C2; GB2485918B; GB2493115C3; GB2493115C; IE86531B1; GB2493115A

Abstract

There is disclosed an improved driver (100) and related vehicle (5), which are of particular use by one person on wet land. The post driver (100) comprises positioning means comprising first movable means (105) comprises at least one first movable member (110) and means (115) for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member (110) and second movable means (119) comprising at least one second movable member (120), wherein the means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member (120) moves with the first movable member (110). The vehicle (5) comprises a tracked vehicle (5) comprising a driver cab, the post driver (100) being mounted to the vehicle (5) at or on a rear portion thereof behind the driver's cab. The post driver (100) is mounted on a rotatable turntable of the vehicle (5) or may be fixed in position relative to the vehicle (5).

Description

The present invention relates to post drivers, for example, for driving fence posts into the ground. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a post driver.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION Post drivers are known. GB 2 423 549 B by the present Inventor discloses a post driver comprising: a frame supported on a plurality of legs; a mast adapted to allow a weighted member to Travel substantially up and down; wherein there are positioning means provided to enable the position of the mast to be optimised and adapted for alignment with a post to be driven; wherein the mast is telescopic; and the post driver comprises a plurality of pulleys allowing the post driver to be adapted to be used with different heights of post.

GB 2 441 071 B, also by the present Inventor, discloses a post driver comprising: a frame supported on a plurality of legs; a mast adapted to allow a weighted member to travel substantially up and down; wherein there are provided positioning means to enable the position of the mast to be optimised and adapted for alignment with a post to be driven, the positioning means comprising a back shift and a side shift; and wherein the legs are independently hydraulically operable.

GB 2 420 367 A (BRENNAN and BRENNAN) discloses a post driver comprising: three point linkage mounting means for securing the support frame to the three point linkage of a tractor; a main mast mounted on the support frame; a support mast slidably mounted on the main mast; a pile driving hammer slidably mounted on a hammer guide rail on the support mast; a pulley adjacent the upper free end of the support mast; a flexible connector connected to the hammer and to the main mast via the pulley; a hydraulic ram connected between the support mast and the pulley for raising the mast; and a post holder comprising a flat plate carrying a depending post engaging spike, the plate fast on a support member, slidably mounted on the main mast.

Known art suffers from a number of problems/disadvantages. For example, ease of facilitating appropriate positioning of the post driver, in use. Also, known post drivers are mounted to tractors which are expensive and require specialist operation. Further, due to an increasing problem of finding reliable labour for erecting wire and timber fencing, and increasing requirements by landowners prohibiting use of wheeled vehicles or machines, on wet land and resultant damage - particularly to grassland - the present Inventor has IE 1 2 0 0 0 2 identified a need for a small, e.g. one-man, machine and/or tracked vehicle having a post driver.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or at least mitigate one or more problems/disadvantages in the prior art. it is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved post driver.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a post driver comprising positioning means comprising first moving means comprising at least one first movable member and means for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member, and second movable means comprising at least one second movable member and means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member, wherein the means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member moves with the first movable member.

The first moving means and the second moving means may be disposed or disposable in symmetrical or substantially H-shaped relation to one another.

Preferably the second moving means may be movable, e.g. by or in unison with the first moving means, between a rest or substantially symmetric position, and preferably to a selected position on at least one side of the symmetric position, and most preferably, to sefected positions on either side of the rest or symmetric position..

The at least one first movable member and the means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member may be fixed to one another in symmetrical or H-shaped relation to one another.

The first moving means may comprise a forward/backward (back) shift. The second moving means may comprise a side shift.

The first moving means and second moving means may move substantially perpendicular to one another, in use.

The first moving means may comprise first and second first movable members.

The means for siidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member may comprise means for slidably receiving opposing ends of a first movable member.

The means for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member may comprise at least one pair of female members.

IE 1 20 0 02 In a preferred embodiment there may be provided a pair of first moving means, which may preferably be spaced, e.g. substantially parallel spaced, from one another.

Preferably the means for slidably receiving the at least one second member is connected or attached to at least one and preferably each first moving means.

Preferably the means for slidably receiving (an end of) the at least one second movable member may comprise at least one and preferably one further female member.

Preferably the further female member is disposed substantially orthogonally to the/each of the first moving means.

Preferably the at least one/one further female member is connected to or operatively associated with at least one/each first movable member, e.g. so as to move therewith.

Preferably, in use, each first movable member moves/slides in synchronisation with each other first movable member.

Preferably the first and second moving means together may be disposed in or comprise a symmetrical arrangement.

Preferably the first and second moving means together may be disposed or comprise an H shaped arrangement.

Preferably there may be provided first means for moving the first movabie members, e.g. first hydraulic moving means.

The first moving means may move the further female member and thereby the first movable members.

Preferably there are provided second means for moving the second movable member, e.g. second hydraulic moving means.

Preferably there is provided a mast tilt ram bracket. A first end of the tilt mast ram bracket may be connected to the second movable member, e.g. at an upper planar surface at one end of the second movable member.

The mast tilt ram bracket may extend adjacent the further female member, and may be slidable relative thereto, e.g. within a groove on an upper surface of the further female member.

The first movable member may be square in cross-section, e.g. around 90 mm x 90 mm.

The second moveable member may be rectangular in cross-section, and may have a width at least twice and preferably around four times its height, e.g. around 300 mm x 75 mm.

Preferably the post driver comprises a mast adapted to allow a weighted member to travel substantially up and down.

JE 1 2 0 0 0 2 Preferably there are provided first means for pivoting or tilting the mast relative to the first moving means.

Preferably there are provided second means for pivoting or tilting the mast relative to the second moving means.

Preferably the first and second pivoting/tilting means comprise third and fourth hydraulic means.

Preferably the first tilting means tilts the mast in a first plane; preferably the second tilting means tilts the mast in a second plane; preferably the first plane and the second plane are orthogonal to one another.

Preferably an arm is pivotably attached to an end ofthe second movable member.

Preferably the second pivoting means is rotatably connected to (an end of) the arm and to an end of the mast tilt ram bracket.

Preferably the first pivoting means is hingeably/rotatably connected notably to (an end of) the arm and to the mast or a bracket fixed or connected to the mast.

Preferably the arm is rotatably connected to the mast.

Preferably the post driver comprises a counter-weight. The counter-weight may, in use, act to counter the weight of the mast and/or weighted member. The counter-weight may be provided on one side of the positioning means and the mast may be provided on another (opposite) side of the positioning means.

Preferably the post driver is provided on a rotational means or turntable.

Preferably the rotation means rotates the post driver in a plane of the positioning means.

Preferably the post driver is provided on a rotational means or turntable.

Preferably the rotation means rotate the post driver in a plane of the positioning means.

Preferably the rotational means is capable of rotating the post driver through 180°. In this way the post driver may be deployed from either side (or from a rear) of a vehicle upon which the post driver is mounted.

Preferably the post driver is mounted or provided on a vehicle, e.g. on a turntable of the vehicle. Preferably the vehicle comprises a tracked vehicle, e.g. having (preferably solely having) first and second (left and right) tracks. The tracks may be rubber tracks.

The vehicle may comprise means for moving the vehicle, e.g.motive means, e.g. an engine. Alternatively the vehicle may comprise a trailer and may comprise means for connecting the vehicle to a driven vehicle.

JE 12 0 0 0 2 The positioning means may allow the positioning of the mast to be optimised and adapted for alignment with a post to be driven, and may comprise a back/forward shift and a side shift. The back shift and the side shift may comprise the first and second moving means, respectively.

The back shift and side shift may allow the mast to be moved laterally and longitudinally without having to move the frame itself or a connected vehicle.

The back shift and side shift may be at substantially 90° to one another preferably thereby allowing the mast to be moved over a full range of directions.

The back shift and side shift may be hydraulically operated thereby allowing easy and accurate adjustments of the position of the mast to be made.

The back shift and side shift may each have a range of travel of about 100 mm to 1,000 mm.

The back shift and side shift may each comprise telescopic members.

The mast may be telescopic thereby ailowing a range of types of post to be driven.

The weighted member may be a hammer which may have a weight of about 100 kilograms to 1,000 kilograms.

The post driver may comprise one or more legs which may allow the post driver to have a stable configuration during use.

The legs may be mechanical or hydraulically operated.

The mast may be tiltable.

The post driver may comprise a counterbalance or counter-weight which may counter the weight of the weighted member.

A plurality of hydraulic control levers for operating the post driver may be provided, e.g. for side shift, back shift, mast tilt in front, mast tilt forward/backward, hammer lift.

The post driver may comprise one or more pulleys which may allow the weighted member to travel at least part ofthe length or the full length ofthe mast.

The mast may be tillable; the back shift and side shift may comprise telescopic members; and there may be provided a mast tilt ram bracket which may be slidable in and out into the side shift and is not attached to outer blocks of a side shift slide.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a post driver comprising first means for positioning the post driver in a first direction and a second positioning means for positioning the post driver in a second direction, wherein the first and second positioning means are disposable in a symmetric relation. (Ε 1 2 Ο Ό Ο 2 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a post driver comprising a mast and means for tilting or pivoting the mast in first and second planes.

Preferabiy the first and second planes may be substantially orthogonal to one another.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a post driver according to the first, second or third aspects of the present invention.

Advantageously the vehicle comprises a tracked vehicle, e.g. such as similar to those available under Trade Name CANYCOM.

Preferably the vehicle may comprise a driver cab.

Preferably the post driver may be mounted to the vehicle at or on a rear portion thereof, e.g. behind the driver's cab.

The post driver may be mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle.

The post driver may be mounted on a rotatable turntable of the vehicie or may be fixed in position relative to the vehicle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle having a post driver and means for selectively deploying the post driver from at least two of one side of the vehicle, another side of the vehicle, and a rear of the vehicle.

Preferably the post driver may be selectively deployed from any of the one side of the 20 vehicle, the another side of the vehicle, and the rear of the vehicle.

Preferably the vehicie is a tracked vehicle, preferably having first and second (left and right) tracks.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a tracked vehicle comprising a post driver.

Preferably a tracked vehicle comprises (preferably solely comprises) first and second (left and right) tracks.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a post driver comprising a mast and means for tilting or pivoting the mast in first and second planes.

Preferabiy the first and second planes are substantially orthogonal to one another.

Any features of any of the foregoing aspects may be employed in any of the other foregoing aspects, whether singly or in combination, and it will be appreciated that such are not recited herein merely for reasons of brevity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS IE 1 2 0 0 0 2 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompany drawings, which are: Figure 1A 5 Figure 1B Figure 1C Figure 1D Figure 1E Figure 1F Figure 2A Figure 2B Figure 2C 20 Figure 2D Figure 2E Figure 2F Figure 2G Figure 2H Figure 3A Figure 3B Figure 3C a side view of a vehicle for use in the present invention; another side view of a vehicle of Figure 1A; a top view of a rear portion of the vehicle 1A in a first configuration; a top view of the rear portion of the vehicle 1A in a second configuration; a top view of the rear portion of the vehicle 1A in a third configuration; a top view of the rear portion of the vehicle 1A in a fourth configuration; a top view of a portion of the post driver according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration mounted to a rear portion of the vehicle of Figure 1A; a top view of a portion of the post driver of Figure 2A in a second configuration; a partial close-up view of the post driver of Figure 2A; a further partial close-up view of the post driver of Figure 2A; a yet further partial close-up view of the post driver of Figure 2A; a still further partial close-up view of the post driver of Figure 2A; a still further partial close-up view of the post driver of Figure 2A; a still further partial close-up view of the post driver of Figure 2A; a rear view of the vehicle of Figure 1A with the post driver of Figure 2A mounted thereto, the mast of the post driver being in a first disposition; the vehicle and post driver of Figure 3A with the mast and post driver in a second disposition; the vehicle and post driver of Figure 3A with the mast in a third disposition; <20 0 0 2 Figure 3D Figure 3E Figure 4A Figure 4B Figure 4C a partial side view of the vehicle and post driver of Figure 3A with the mast in a fourth disposition; a partial side view of the vehicle and post driver of Figure 3A with the mast in a fifth disposition; a rear view of the vehicle of Figure 1A with the post driver of Figure 2A mounted thereto, the post driver being disposed to one side of the vehicle; the vehicle and post driver of Figure 4A with the post driver disposed to the rear of the vehicle; and the vehicle and post driver of Figure 4A with the post driver disposed to another side of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring initially to Figures 1A to 1F, there is illustrated a vehicle, generally designated 5, for use in the present invention. The vehicle 5 comprising a chassis 10, mobile means such as an engine (not shown), first and second (left and right) tracks 15, a driver's/operator's cab 20, and a turntable 25. The turntable 25 is substantially parallel with a rear portion 30 of the chassis 10, and is rotatable by drive means (not shown) through 180° from one side 35 of the vehicle 5 to another side 40 of the vehicle 5 via the rear 45 of the vehicle 5.

Referring now to Figure 2A to Figure 4C, there is illustrated a post driver, generally designated 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and including the features of the Summary of Invention. The post driver 100 is mounted on the turntable 25 (shown in outline in Figure 2A) of the vehicle 5 for movement with the turntable 25.

The post driver 100 comprises positioning means comprising first moving means 105 comprising at least one first movable member 110 and means 115 for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member 110, and second movable means 119 comprising at least one second movable member 120 and means 125 for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member 120, wherein the means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member 120 moves with the first movable member 110. The first moving means 105 are moved via hydraulic means 126, while the second moving means 125 are moved by further hydraulic means (not shown), e.g. located beneath the means 125 for slidably receiving the at least one second movable means.

The first moving means and the second moving means may be disposed or disposable in symmetrical or H-shaped relation to one another.

JE 1 20 0 0 2 The at least one first movable member and the means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member may be fixed to one another in symmetrical or H-shaped relation to one another.

The first moving means 105 comprise a forward/backward shift. The second moving means 110 comprises a side shift. It will be appreciated that the terms forward/backward and side are relative terms, non-limiting in this context.

The first moving means 105 and second moving means 110 are disposed and move substantially perpendicular to one another, in use. The first moving means 105 comprises first and second first movable members 110a, 110b.

The means 115 for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member 110 comprise means for slidably receiving opposing ends of a first movable member 110a or 110b. The means 115 for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member 110 comprise at least one pair of female members.

In a preferred embodiment there are provided a pair of first moving means 105, which are spaced in substantially parallel spaced in relation from one another.

The means 125 for slidabfy receiving the at least one second movable member 120 is connected or attached to at least one and in this embodiment each of the first moving means 105.

The means 125 for slidably receiving (an end of) the at least one second movable member 120 comprise at least one and one further female member 130.

The further female member 130 is disposed substantially orthogonally to the/each of the first moving means.

The at least one/one further female member is connected to or operatively associated with at least one/each first movable member.

In use, each first movable member moves/slides in synchronisation with each other first movable member.

The first and second moving means together are disposed in or comprise a symmetrical arrangement.

The first and second moving means together are disposed or comprise an H shaped arrangement.

There are provided first means for moving the first movable members, e.g. first hydraulic moving means.

The first moving means move the further female member and thereby the first movable members.

IE 1 2 0 0 0 2 There are provided second means for moving the second movable member, e.g. second hydraulic moving means.

There is provided a mast tilt ram bracket. A first end of the tilt mast ram bracket is connected to the second movable member, e.g. at an upper planar surface at one end of the second movable member.

The mast tilt ram bracket extends adjacent the further female member, and is slidable relative thereto, e.g. within a groove on an upper surface of the further female member.

In this embodiment the first movable member is square in cross-section, e.g. around 90 mm x 90 mm. Further, the second moveable member is rectangular in cross-section, and typically has a width at least twice and advantageously around four times its height, e.g. around 300 mm x 75 mm.

The post driver comprises a mast adapted to allow a weighted member to travel substantially up and down.

There are provided first means for pivoting or tilting the mast relative to the first moving means. There are provided second means for pivoting or tilting the mast relative to the second moving means. The first and second pivoting/tilting means comprise third and fourth hydraulic means. The first tilting means tilts the mast in a first plane, while the second tilting means tilts the mast in a second plane, the first plane and the second plane being orthogonal to one another.

An arm is pivotably attached to an end of the second movable member.

Preferably the second pivoting means is rotatably connected to (an end of) the arm and to an end of the mast tilt ram bracket. The first pivoting means is hingeably/rotatably connected rotatably to (an end of) the arm and to the mast or a bracket fixed or connected to the mast. The arm is rotatably connected to the mast.

The post driver comprises a counter-weight. The counter-weight may, in use, acts to counter the weight of the mast and/or weighted member 200. The counter-weight is provided on one side of the positioning means and the mast is provided on another (opposite) side of the positioning means.

The post driver is provided on a turntable or rotational means. The turntable rotates the post driver in a plane of the positioning means.

The turntable is capable of rotating the post driver through 180°. In this way the post driver can be deployed from either side (or from a rear) of a vehicle upon which the post driver is mounted.

The post driver is mounted or provided on the vehicle in this embodiment on the turntable of the vehicle. Preferably the vehicle comprises a tracked vehicle, e.g. having IE 1 200 02 (preferably solely having) first and second (left and right) tracks. The tracks can typically be rubber tracks.

In this embodiment the vehicle comprises means for moving the vehicle, e.g. motive means, e.g. an engine. Alternatively the vehicle can comprise a trailer and means for connecting the vehicle to a driven vehicle so that the vehicle can be towed.

The positioning means allows the positioning of the mast to be optimised and adapted for alignment with a post to be driven, and comprises a back/forward shift and a side shift. The back shirt and the side shift may comprise the first and second moving means, respectively.

The back shift and side shift allow the mast to be moved laterally and longitudinally without having to move the frame itself or the connected vehicle.

The back shift and side shift are at substantially 90° to one another, thereby ailowing the mast to be moved over a full range of directions. The back shift and side shift are hydraulically operated thereby allowing easy and accurate adjustments of the position of the mast to be made. The back shift and side shift may each have a range of travel of about 100 mm to 1,000 mm. The back shift and side shift each comprise telescopic members.

The mast can be telescopic thereby allowing a range of types of post to be driven.

The weighted member can be a hammer which may have a weight of about 100 kilograms to 1,000 kilograms.

The post driver can optionally comprise one or more legs which may allow the post driver to have a stable configuration during use. The legs can be mechanical or hydraulically operated.

A plurality of hydraulic controi levers for operating the post driver may be provided, e.g. for side shift, back shift, mast tilt in front, mast tilt forward/backward, and hammer lift.

The post driver can comprise one or more puiieys which allow the weighted member to travel at least part ofthe length or the full length of the mast.

There is provided a mast tilt ram bracket which is slidable in and out into the side shift and which is not attached to outer blocks of a side shift slide.

The post driver comprises first means for positioning the post driver in a first direction and a second positioning means for positioning the post driver in a second direction, wherein the first and second positioning means are disposable in a symmetric relation.

The post driver comprises a mast and means for tilting or pivoting the mast in first and second planes. The first and second planes may be substantially orthogonal to one another.

The vehicle comprises a post driver mounted thereto. Advantageously the vehicle comprises a tracked vehicle, e.g. such as similar to those available under Trade Name CANYCOM. The vehicle comprises a driver cab. The post driver is mounted to the vehicle at or on a rear portion thereof, i.e. behind the driver's cab. The post driver is mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle.

The post driver can be mounted on a rotatable turntable of the vehicle or can be fixed in position relative to the vehicle.

According to the embodiment of the invention the vehicle has a post driver and means for selectively deploying the post driver from at least two of one side of the vehicle, another side of the vehicle, and a rear of the vehicle.

In this embodiment the post driver can be selectively deployed from any of the one side of the vehicle, the another side of the vehicle, and the rear of the vehicle.

According to the embodiment of the invention the vehicle is a tracked vehicle comprising a post driver.

According to an embodiment of the invention the post driver comprises a mast and means for tilting or pivoting the mast in first and second planes. The first and second planes are substantially orthogonal to one another.

The invention provides a unique combination comprising a mast attached to a sideshift/backshift/foreshift combination, with a mast tilt in and out, connected by a hydraulic cylinder attached to the mast, and a supporting member that supports the other end of the cylinder which is attached to the sideshift feature.

Furthermore, the mast tilt forward and back is in the form of a main swivel pivot which allows the mast to pivot about a central point and through the suitable positioning of a hydraulic cylinder the mast can be allowed to tilt in an arc left/right/forward/back depending on which way the machine is viewed.

The forwardshift/backshift is unique in that it allows this feature to operate in confined dimensions where the sideshift can be left in the central position giving movement forwards or backwards, allowing precise alignment between post driver mast and post without having to move the tractive vehicle. In the past, operators needed to move the tracked machine forward or back to get alignment between mast and post. This slows down output. Also, importantly when driving posts on sloping ground that is wet and slippery, movement of the tracked vehicle can result in the vehicle sliding very slightly up or down hill, depending on the slope, resulting in post alignment down the fence line being disturbed necessitating the sideshift having to be used to correct the vertical alignment ofthe post, causing unnecessary loss of time and operator fatigue.

JE 1 20 Ο 02 An important feature of this invention is that the backshift is mounted central to the main frame, and can be moved forward and back from the centre point. This helps to maintain stability on what is generally a small tractive machine. Other systems require the backshift to move in one direction only, and when operating at the extreme of one direction the balance of the machine can be upset.

This machine can be mounted on any fixed frame, or preferabiy a frame comprising a 180° swivelling carriage, allowing the post driver to operate anywhere in an arc through 180°. it can also be mounted on tracked or wheeled vehicles.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the present invention hereinbefore 10 described is given by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Various modifications may be envisaged which fall within the scope of the invention.

According to the invention, with a swivel/slew-type vehicle, a high output post driver can be installed at or near to the central load-carrying point. By doing this one helps to keep stability and safety, while at the same time have the performance and output of a much larger machine, e.g. in a smali tractive vehicle.

The disclosed embodiment features an Ή pattern configuration, which when attached to or mounted on the rotatary turntable, the slew mechanism gives a low centre of gravity, and the stability required on a post driver with sideshift, backshift, mast tilt forward and back, and mast tilt in and out, enabling accurate positioning of the post driver. A notable feature of the H pattern design is that the backshift combined with the sideshift, mast tilt forward and back, and mast tilt in and out, moves forward and back as one unit from a central position maintaining stability and weight distribution of the donor machine.

Claims

1. A post driver comprising positioning means comprising first moving (movabie) means comprising at least one first movable member and means for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at feast one first movabie member, and second moving means comprising at least one second movable member and means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member, wherein the means for siidably receiving the at least one second movabie member moves with the first movabie member.

2. A post driver as ciaimed in claim 1, wherein the first moving means and the second moving means are disposed or disposable in symmetrical or substantially Hshaped relation to one another.

3. A post driver as ciaimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second moving means are movabie, such as by or in unison with the first moving means, between a rest or substantially symmetric position to a selected position on at least one side of the symmetric position or to selected positions on either side of the rest or symmetric position.

4. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one first movable member and the means for slidably receiving the at least one second movable member are fixed to one another in symmetrical or H-shaped relation to one another.

5. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first or second moving means comprises a forward/backward (back) shift. IE 120002

6. A post driver as claimed in any preceding ciaim, wherein the second or first moving means comprises a side shift, or vice versa.

7. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first moving means 5 and second moving means move substantially perpendicularly to one another, in use. S. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first moving means comprises first and second first movable members.

8. 10 9. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for slidably receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member comprise means for slidably receiving opposing ends of a first movable member. 10. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for slidably 15 receiving opposing ends of the at least one first movable member comprise at least one pair of female members.

9. 11. A post driver as claimed in any preceding ciaim, wherein there are provided a pair of first moving means, which are optionally spaced, such as substantially parallel 20 spaced, from one another.

10. 12. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for slidably receiving the at least one second member is connected or attached to at least one or each first moving means. IE 1 2 0 0 0 2

11. 13. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means tor slidably receiving (an end of) the at ieast one second movabfe member comprises at ieast one or one further female member. 5

12. 14. A post driver as ciaimed in claim 13, wherein the further female member is disposed substantially orthogonally to the/each of the first moving means.

13. 15. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 13 or 14, wherein the at least one/one further female member is connected to or operatively associated with at least 10 one/each first movable member, optionally so as to move therewith.

14. 16. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in use, each first movable member maves/slides in synchronisation with each other first movable member.

15. 17. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second moving means together are disposed in or comprise a symmetrical arrangement.

16. 18. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second 20 moving means together are disposed or comprise an H shaped arrangement.

17. 19. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is provided first means for moving the first movable members, such as first hydraulic moving means. 25 20. A post driver as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first moving means move a/ihe further female member and thereby the first movable members. IE 1 20 0 0 2 21. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is provided second means for moving the second movable member, such as second hydraulic moving means. 5 22. A post driver as ciaimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is provided a mast tilt ram bracket. 23. A post driver as ciaimed in claim 22, wherein a first end of the tilt mast ram bracket is connected to the second movabie member, such as at an upper planar 10 surface at one end of the second movable member. 24. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 22 or 23, wherein the mast tilt ram bracket extends adjacent a/the further female member, and is optionally slidable relative thereto, such as within a groove on an upper surface of the further female 15 member. 25. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first movable member is square in cross-section, such as around 90 mm x 90 mm.

18. 20 26. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second moveable member is rectangular in cross-section, and optionally has a width at least twice and preferably around four times its height, such as around 300 mm x 75 mm. 27. A post driver as ciaimed in any preceding claim, wherein the post driver

19. 25 comprises a mast adapted to allow a weighted member to travel substantially up and down. IE 1 2 0 0 0 2

20. 28. A post driver as claimed in claim 27, wherein there are provided first means for pivoting or tilting the mast relative to the first moving means.

21. 29. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 27 or 28, wherein there are provided 5 second means for pivoting or tilting the mast relative to the second moving means.

22. 30. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 28 or 29, wherein the first and second pivoting/tiiting means comprise third and fourth hydraulic means. 10

23. 31. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 28 to 30, wherein the first tilting means tiits the mast in a first plane; optionally the second tilting means tifts the mast in a second plane; preferably the first plane and the second plane being orthogonal to one another. 15

24. 32. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an arm is pivotably attached to an end of the second movable member.

25. 33. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second pivoting means is rotatabiy connected to (an end of) the arm and to an end of the mast tilt ram 20 bracket.

26. 34. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 32 or 33, wherein the first pivoting means is hingeably/rotatably connected to (an end of) the arm and to the mast or a bracket fixed or connected to the mast.

27. 35. A post driver as claimed in any of claims 32 to 34, wherein the arm is rotatabiy connected to the mast. IE 120 0 02

28. 36. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the post driver comprises a counter-weight.

29. 37. A post driver as claimed in claim 36, wherein the counter-weight, in use, acts to 5 counter the weight of the mast and/or weighted member, 33. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 36 or 37, wherein the counter-weight is provided on one side of the positioning means and the mast may be provided on another (opposite) side of the positioning means.

30. 39. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the post driver is provided on a rotational means or turntable.

31. 40. A post driver as claimed in claim 39, wherein the rotation means rotates the 15 post driver in a plane of the positioning means.

32. 41. A post driver as ciaimed in either of claims 39 or 40, wherein the rotation means rotate the post driver in a plane of the positioning means. 20

33. 42, A post driver as ciaimed in any of claims 39 to 41, wherein the rotational means is capable of rotating the post driver through 180°, optionally the post driver is deployable from either side (or from a rear) of a vehicle upon which the post driver is mounted. 25

34. 43. A post driver as ciaimed in any preceding claim, wherein the post driver is mounted or provided on a vehicle, such as on a turntable of the vehicle. IE 1 20 0 02

35. 44. A post driver as claimed in claim 43, wherein the vehicle comprises a tracked vehicle, optionally having/solely having first and second (left and right) tracks, the tracks are rubber tracks. 5

36. 45. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 43 or 44, wherein the vehicle may comprise means for moving the vehicle, such as motive means, such as an engine, or the vehicle comprises a frailer and comprises means for connecting the vehicle to a driven vehicle. 10

37. 46. A post driver as claimed in any preceding ciaim, wherein the positioning means allows the positioning of a/the mast to be optimised and adapted for alignment with a post to be driven, and optionally comprises a back/forward shift and a side shift.

38. 47. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a/the back shift and 15 the side shift comprise a/the first and second moving means, respectively.

39. 48. A post driver as claimed in claim 47, wherein the back shift and side shift allows the mast to be moved laterally and longitudinally without having to move the frame itself or a connected vehicle.

40. 49. A post driver as claimed in either of claims 47 or 48, wherein the back shift and side shift are at substantially 90° to one another optionally thereby allowing the mast to be moved over a full range of directions. 25

41. 50. A post driver as claimed in any of claims 47 to 49, wherein the back shift and side shift are hydraulically operated. IE 1 2 0 0 0 2

42. 51. A post driver as ciaimed in any of ciaims 47 to 50, wherein the back shift and side shift each have a range of travel of about 100 mm to 1,000 mm.

43. 52. A post driver as claimed in any of claims 48 to 51, wherein the back shift and 5 side shift each comprise telescopic members.

44. 53. A post driver as claimed in claim 27, or any of ciaims 28 to 52, when dependent upon ciaim 27, wherein the mast is telescopic. 10

45. 54. A post driver as ciaimed in claim 27 or any of ciaims 28 to 53 when dependent upon ciaim 27, wherein the weighted member is a hammer which has a weight of about 100 kilograms to 1,000 kilograms.

46. 55. A post driver as ciaimed in any preceding claim, wherein the post driver 15 comprises one or more legs which allows the post driver to have a stable configuration during use.

47. 56. A post driver as claimed in claim 55, wherein the legs are mechanical or hydraulically operated.

48. 57. A post driver as ciaimed in claim 27 or any of ciaims 28 to 56 when dependent upon ciaim 27, wherein the mast is tittabie.

49. 58. A post driver as claimed in claim 27 or any of ciaims 28 to 57 when dependent 25 upon ciaim 27, wherein post driver comprises a counterbalance or counter-weight which counters the weight of the weighted member. IE 1 2 Ο Ο Ο 2

50. 59. A post driver as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of hydrauiic control levers for operating the post driver may be provided, such as for side shift, back shift, mast tilt in front, mast tilt forward/backward, hammer lift. 5

51. 60. A post driver as ciaimed in any preceding ciaim, wherein the post driver comprises one or more pulleys which allows a/the weighted member to travel at least part of the length or the full length of a/the mast.

52. 61. A post driver as claimed in any of claims 27 to 60, wherein the mast is tiltable; 10 a/the back shift and side shift comprise telescopic members; and there is provided a/the mast tilt ram bracket which is optionally slidable in and out into the side shift and is not attached to outer blocks of a side shift slide.

53. 62. A post driver comprising first means for positioning the post driver in a first 15 direction and a second positioning means for positioning the post driver in a second direction, wherein the first and second positioning means are disposable in a symmetric relation.

54. 63. A post driver comprising a mast and means for tilting or pivoting the mast in first 20 and second planes.

55. 64. A post driver as ciaimed in claim 63, wherein the first and second planes are substantially orthogonal to one another. 25

56. 65. A vehicle comprising a post driver according to any of ciaim 1 to 61, claim 62 or claims 63 to 64. JE 1 2 0 0 0 2

57. 66. A vehicle as claimed in ciaim 65, wherein the vehicle comprises a tracked vehicle.

58. 67. A vehicle as claimed in either of claims 65 or 66, wherein the vehicle comprises 5 a driver cab.

59. 68. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 64 to 67, wherein the post driver is mounted to the vehicle at or on a rear portion thereof, such as behind the driver's cab. 10

60. 69. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 64 to 68, wherein the post driver is mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle.

61. 70. A vehicle as claim in any of claims 64 to 69, wherein the post driver is mounted on a rotatable turntable of the vehicle or is fixed in position relative to the vehicle.

62. 71. A vehicle having a post driver and means for selectively deploying the post driver from at ieast two of one side of the vehicle, another side of the vehicle, and a rear of the vehicle. 20

63. 72. A vehicle as claimed in claim 71, wherein the post driver is selectively deployed from any of the one side of the vehicle, the another side of the vehicle, and the rear of the vehicle.

64. 73. A vehicle as claimed in either of claims 71 or 72, wherein the vehicle Is a 25 tracked vehicle, optionally having first and second (left and right) tracks.

65. 74. A tracked vehicle comprising a post driver. ΙΕ Τ 2 ο Ο ο 2

66. 75. A vehicle as ciaimed in claim 74, wherein the tracked vehicle comprises (optionally solely comprises) first and second (ieft and right) tracks.

67. 76. A mast and means for tilting or pivoting the mast in first and second planes.

68. 77. A vehicle as ciaimed in claim 76, wherein the first and second planes are substantially orthogonal to one another.

69. 78. A post driver as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying 10 drawings.

70. 79. A vehicle providing a post driver as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.