When Northern Contracting Ltd. (NCL) took on the task of installing 116 wood piles for a future boardwalk in Baddeck, N.S., they faced a significant challenge: achieving precise pile placement in a shoreline made up of dense, irregular riprap. Standard pile driving methods were simply not up to the task. That’s where innovation – and the Gilbert MultiGrip MG-90 – made all the difference.
The project
The Baddeck boardwalk rehabilitation is part of a waterfront revitalization initiative led by the Baddeck Village Commission and the Waterfront Baddeck committee, aiming to restore, upgrade and expand the public lakeside walkway.
Construction officially began on May 12, marking the start of site preparation and infrastructure work for the new boardwalk and associated services (e.g., watermain and culvert installation). Prior to pile work, the original boardwalk was demolished; over 75 tonnes of debris were removed, with much of the salvaged wood reclaimed for community reuse. The municipality emphasized minimizing disruption to the village during construction. As part of this, road closures (notably along Water Street at the boardwalk site) were managed carefully with advance public notices.
The boardwalk lies along Baddeck’s waterfront on the shores of the Bras d’Or Lake, a prime setting in a village whose economy depends in part on tourism and lakeside vibrancy. From the equipment side, Gilbert Products positioned the MG-90 MultiGrip as part of their Grizzly line of vibratory pile drivers, designed for versatility in handling timber, sheet piles and other pile types. Its side-clamp Quick-Change and 3PAS gripping system allow for precise handling in tight or difficult terrain.
In this context, the Baddeck site – with its irregular riprap shoreline – presented a particularly rigorous test of the MG-90’s claimed capabilities of precise placement, adaptability and controlled driving in challenging ground conditions.
Meeting the challenge
The project required each of the 30-foot-long wood piles to be driven with exacting accuracy to form a solid foundation for the upcoming boardwalk. However, the existing riprap shoreline made traditional pile driving nearly impossible. The uneven and compact rock structure posed high risks of misalignment and damage, potentially compromising the long-term stability of the structure.
An innovative approach
To tackle this complex problem, NCL’s team developed a custom pre-drilling method that proved both effective and efficient. Using a fabricated iron pre-drill pile, they pre-drilled eight- to 10-foot-deep holes directly into the riprap. The pre-drill pile was pinched and held securely under the MG-90’s side grip, which offered the stability and control needed for such a precise operation.
This inventive technique delivered several key benefits:
- Accurate alignment of the pre-drilled holes
- Streamlined wood pile insertion
- Minimized stress on both equipment and materials
Once the pre-drilling was complete, the wood piles were placed into the aligned holes and driven to depth using a drop hammer. The result: precise, secure installation in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.
MG-90 versatility in action
Beyond the boardwalk foundation, the Gilbert MG-90 was also used to install a sheet piling wall for additional in-water work at the same location. This showcased the MG-90’s flexibility and powerful performance across multiple applications within a single project.
Field-tested performance
Both Rick Brown, the equipment operator, and Evan McDonald, the site superintendent, praised the MG-90 for its reliability and efficiency. Their collaborative effort – and willingness to adapt and innovate – highlighted the strength of NCL’s team and the advanced capabilities of Gilbert’s equipment in solving real-world challenges.
Continued success
With the Baddeck project complete, the CAT 336 equipped with the Gilbert MG-90 was promptly deployed to a new jobsite, underlining the portability and readiness of this setup for back-to-back operations.