Installation system and method for installing reinforcing members against upstanding poles

Abstract

Aspects relate to an installation system and method for driving into ground a reinforcing member positioned against an upstanding pole. The installation system comprises: an automatic hammer; a hangin

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to an installation system and method for installing reinforcing members against upstanding poles, such as utility poles. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Upstanding poles may degrade over time. For example, wooden utility poles can become rotten and lose some of their strength and rigidity. The lifespan of the upstanding pole can be extended by positioning an elongate reinforcing member against the upstanding pole, and driving it into the ground by an installation system. The reinforcing member receives bending moment forces, and transfers them to ground. The installation system may encounter high forces in use, while it is driving the reinforcing member into the ground. If a part of the installation system breaks or wears too thin, costly parts may need to be replaced, and jobs cannot be completed on time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an installation method for driving into ground a reinforcing member positioned against an upstanding pole, the installation method comprising: hanging an automatic hammer from a first line by a hanging system, enabling the automatic hammer to percussively impact a top end of the reinforcing member; and connecting a winching system to the automatic hammer, operable to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member; and operating the winching system to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member, wherein the automatic hammer comprises a body, and a hanging loop fixed to the body, wherein the hanging loop is connected to the first line, wherein the hanging loop is formed from a bent rod having a diameter ‘D’, and a minimum bend radius ‘R’, and wherein R / D is greater than or equal to 1.5. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an installation system for driving into ground a reinforcing member positioned against an upstanding pole, the installation system comprising: an automatic hammer; a hanging system configured to enable a first line to hang the automatic hammer from the upstanding pole, enabling the automatic hammer to percussively impact a top end of the reinforcing member; and a winching system connectable to the automatic hammer and operable to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member, wherein the automatic hammer comprises a body, and a hanging loop fixed to the body, wherein the hanging loop is configured to connect to the first line, wherein the hanging loop is formed from a bent rod having a diameter ‘D’, and a minimum bend radius ‘R’, and 2 wherein R / D is greater than or equal to 1.5. The design of the hanging loop provides the advantage that the hanging loop is much less likely to break from stress, which may arise if installers apply excessive force from the winching system, for example. This is because the minimum bend radius is large enough to reduce stress concentration at the bends, therefore ensuring more of the stresses are carried by the end connections of the hanging loop. This reduces wastage of automatic hammers. Optionally, R / D is greater than or equal to 1.8. Optionally, R / D is less than 2.2. Optionally, all bends of the bent rod are handed in a common direction. Optionally, the bent rod is free from reverse bends and out-of-plane bends. An advantage of all bends of the bent rod being handed in a common direction along its length is a further reduction in stress concentration, fatigue, and locked-in stresses. Optionally, the bent rod is formed from solid cross-section metal, e.g., mild steel, and wherein D is at least 14mm. Optionally, D is approximately equal to 16mm. An advantage of this large diameter is improved strength, and an increased wear limit in absolute dimensions. Optionally, the hanging loop is welded to the body. Optionally, the hanging loop forms a closed loop, fixed to the body at both ends. Optionally, an inner side of a first end portion of the hanging loop is welded to a first lateral side of the body, and an inner side of an opposite second end portion of the hanging loop is welded to an opposite second lateral side of the body. Optionally, each end portion of the hanging loop is welded to the body only by straight welds. 3 Although purely straight welds may limit the total weld length available, the hanging loop is still strong due to the large minimum bend radius, among other things. Optionally, each end portion of the hanging loop comprises a straight section, wherein a first portion of the straight section is welded to the respective lateral side of the body, and wherein a second portion of the straight section forms part of a span of the hanging loop. An advantage of this is a further reduction in stress concentrations in the span of the bent rod, so that more of the stress is taken by the stronger welds. This also reduces failures caused by stress concentrations due to tight bends and compressive stresses placed into making tight bends Optionally, the winching system comprises the first line, wherein the first line comprises a connector configured to pass through the hanging loop, wherein the connector is formed from a softer material than the hanging loop. Optionally, the connector is formed from fabric, such as webbing. Optionally, the hanging system comprises a fabric lifting sling defining the connector. An advantage of the hanging system comprising a fabric lifting sling defining the connector is ensuring even wear across the bent rod, because the fabric sling is formed from a softer material than the bent rod and can better distribute the load across the bent rod. Therefore, the cheaper fabric sling wears down, and can be easily interchangeable depending on requirements, rather than the bent rod of the comparatively expensive automatic hammer. In other examples, a metal shackle may be used instead of fabric. Optionally, the bent rod comprises a straight crown. Optionally, the straight crown has a straight horizontal length of at least 3cm. 4 An advantage of the bent rod comprising a straight crown is ensuring even wear across the straight crown, rather than wear concentration at one spot. Therefore, it takes much longer for the bent rod to lose more than 10% of its diameter through wear, due to the lack of consistent stress or abrasion applied at one particular spot, ensuring a longer period of time in service. Optionally, the automatic hammer is a pneumatic hammer. Optionally, the hanging loop is fixed to a top end region of the body of the automatic hammer, and wherein an effector of the automatic hammer protrudes from a bottom end region of the body of the automatic hammer. Optionally, the installation system further comprises support bands configured to wrap around the reinforcing member and the upstanding pole, wherein the support bands are connectable to themselves. Optionally, the support bands are adjustable in length. Optionally, the installation method comprises wrapping the support bands around the reinforcing member and the upstanding pole, wherein the support bands are connected to themselves. An advantage of the installation system further comprising support bands configured to wrap around the reinforcing member and the upstanding pole is obviating the need for drilling any fasteners into the upstanding pole, which may comprise rotting wood. A further advantage is the adjustability of the support bands, allowing them to fit to different sizes of poles and support braces. Optionally, the installation system comprises a pull down winch, and a line arrangement configured to connect the pull down winch to the automatic hammer, to allow the pull down winch to pull down the automatic hammer. Optionally, the installation method comprises operating the pull down winch of the winching system, connected to the automatic hammer by the line arrangement, to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member. Optionally, the winching system further comprises an adjustable support belt wrapping around the upstanding pole to support the pull down winch above ground level below the automatic hammer. Optionally, the automatic hammer comprises a winch connector to which the line arrangement of the winching system is connectable. Optionally, the line arrangement comprises a winching bridle and a pair of lines, wherein the pair of lines are spaced apart by the winching bridle to extend to both sides of the upstanding pole, and wherein the pair of lines are configured to connect to both lateral sides of the automatic hammer. Optionally, the winch connector of the automatic hammer extends to both lateral sides of the automatic hammer, to receive the pair of lines. Optionally, the winching bridle comprises a roller configured to roll along the upstanding pole as the winching bridle is pulled down by the pull down winch. Optionally, the lines comprise chains. Optionally, the adjustable support belt comprises a chain. Optionally, a roller assembly is mounted to a side of the reinforcing member to be driven into the ground, wherein the adjustable support belt connects to the roller assembly, and wherein the roller assembly allows the reinforcing member to slide vertically. An advantage of the roller assembly is ensuring the truss has as smooth a motion as possible into the ground and reduces the friction caused by the chain. Furthermore, the adjustable support belt is not pulled down as the reinforcing member is slid into the ground. Optionally, the hanging system comprises a winch pole configured to be positioned against a side of the upstanding pole such that an upper region of the winch pole is above the automatic hammer, to guide the first line such that the automatic hammer hangs from the first line in use. Optionally, a spike is mounted to the upper region of the winch pole, wherein the spike is configured to engage with the side of the upstanding pole. Optionally, a pulley is mounted to the upper region of the winch pole, wherein the first line is configured to extend through the pulley, and connect to the hanging loop of the automatic hammer. Optionally, the installation method comprises positioning the winch pole against the side of the upstanding pole, such that the upper region of the winch pole is above the automatic hammer, and wherein the first line is guided by the winch pole such that the automatic hammer hangs from the first line. Optionally, the spike is engaged with the side of the upstanding pole. Optionally, the first line extends through the pulley. Optionally, the first line is a winched line. An advantage of hanging the automatic hammer from a winched first line is improved stability of the automatic hammer. If the pull down winch was used without this additional support, the automatic hammer may be more prone to slipping out of place. Optionally, the winching system comprises a hanger winch. Optionally, the hanger winch is operable to enable gravitational lowering of the automatic hammer by the first line. Optionally, the hanger winch is operable to enable gravitational lowering of the automatic hammer while the pull down winch simultaneously pulls the automatic hammer down. Optionally, the installation method comprises operating the hanger winch of the winching system, to which the first line is connected, to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member. Optionally, the installation system comprises the reinforcing member. Optionally, the reinforcing member has a bent (e.g., U-shaped or W-shaped) cross-section. Optionally, the reinforcing member is formed from steel or another suitable metal. Optionally, the reinforcing member is formed from galvanised steel. Optionally, the upstanding pole is a utility pole. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an automatic hammer comprising: a body; and a hanging loop fixed to the body, configured to connect to a hanging system to allow the automatic hammer to be hung from the hanging system, wherein the hanging loop is formed from a bent rod having a diameter ‘D’, and a minimum bend radius ‘R’, and wherein R / D is greater than or equal to 1.5. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an installation system for driving into ground a reinforcing member positioned against an upstanding pole, the installation system comprising: an automatic hammer; a hanging system configured to enable a first line to hang the automatic hammer from the upstanding pole, enabling the automatic hammer to percussively impact a top end of the reinforcing member; and a winching system connectable to the automatic hammer and operable to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member, wherein the automatic hammer comprises a body, and a hanging loop fixed to the body, wherein the hanging loop is configured to connect to the first line, wherein the winching system comprises the first line, wherein the first line comprises a connector configured to pass through the hanging loop, and wherein the connector is formed from a softer material than the hanging loop. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an installation method for driving into ground a reinforcing member positioned against an upstanding pole, the installation method comprising: hanging an automatic hammer from a first line by a hanging system, enabling the automatic hammer to percussively impact a top end of the reinforcing member; and connecting a winching system to the automatic hammer, operable to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member; and operating the winching system to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member, wherein the automatic hammer comprises a body, and a hanging loop fixed to the body, wherein the hanging loop is connected to the first line, wherein the winching system comprises the first line, wherein the first line comprises a connector configured to pass through the hanging loop, and wherein the connector is formed from a softer material than the hanging loop. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 9 For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an installation system; FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hanging loop of an automatic hammer; and FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example installation method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates an upstanding pole 12 such as a wooden utility pole, anchored in the ground 10. The upstanding pole 12 may require reinforcement, to extend its lifespan. A reinforcing member 102, such as galvanised steel with a bent (e.g., U-shaped or W-shaped) cross-section, is shown positioned against the side of the upstanding pole 12. The reinforcing member 102 may optionally be available in various lengths, typically at least 1.5 metres or at least 2.5 metres. An installation system 100 is shown in an assembled state, for driving the reinforcing member 102 into the ground 10. FIG. 1 also shows steel support bands 166 at several vertical spacings, each wrapping around the reinforcing member 102 and the upstanding pole 12, and connected to themselves by crimps. The crimps (not shown) may allow the lengths of the support bands 166 to be adjusted. It should be noted that the support bands 166 would be attached after the reinforcing member 102 has reached its final height, and possibly after the installation system 100 has been disassembled. The installation system 100 is now described in more detail. 10 The installation system 100 comprises: an automatic hammer 106 such as a pneumatic hammer; a hanging system 138 configured to enable a first line 162 to hang the automatic hammer 106 from the upstanding pole 12, enabling the automatic hammer 106 to percussively impact a top end 104 of the reinforcing member 102; and a winching system 150 connectable to the automatic hammer 106 and operable to lower the automatic hammer 106 while the automatic hammer 106 percussively impacts the top end 104 of the reinforcing member 102. In examples, the automatic hammer 106 is hung from above by the first line 162 attached to a hanger winch 160, while simultaneously being pulled down from below by a pull down winch 152. Meanwhile, an effector 114 of the automatic hammer 106, located at a bottom end region 112 of the automatic hammer 106, moves in a reciprocating motion to hammer a top end 104 of the reinforcing member 102. This percussively hammers the reinforcing member 102 into the ground 10, at a position against the side of the upstanding pole 12. The hanging system 138 comprises a winch pole 140 leant diagonally against the upstanding pole 12, with the hanger winch 160 of the winching system 150 mounted to its lower region 144. The first line 162 extends up from the hanger winch 160, along the winch pole 140, over a pulley 148 mounted to an upper region 142 of the winch pole 140, and hangs vertically downward alongside the upstanding pole 12, terminating at a connector such as a fabric lifting sling 164. The fabric lifting sling 164 is looped through a hanging loop 116 of the automatic hammer 106. Therefore, the automatic hammer 106 dangles / hangs from the first line 162. When the hanger winch 160 is wound and unwound, the automatic hammer 106 moves up and down. The hanger winch 160 may be a manual winch, and is therefore mounted close to ground level. A worker may actuate the manual hanger winch 160 to lower the automatic hammer 106 gradually and guide it downwards, as it hammers the reinforcing member 102 into the ground 10. The hanging system 138 further comprises a spike 146 mounted to the upper region 142 of the winch pole 140, to engage with the side of the upstanding pole 12. This laterally stabilises the winch pole 140. In examples, the spike 146 is configured to penetrate the side of the wooden upstanding pole 12. The hanging system 138 carries the weight of the automatic hammer 106. Furthermore, the winching system 150 comprises the pull down winch 152 arranged to pull down on the automatic hammer 106, therefore increasing its percussive force. The illustrated pull down winch 152 is attached to the opposite side of the upstanding pole 12 than the automatic hammer 106. The pull down winch 152 is attached to the upstanding pole 12 by an adjustable support belt 154 wrapping around both the upstanding pole 12 and the reinforcing member 102. In examples, the adjustable support belt 154 comprises a chain. In examples, a roller assembly 155 is also provided, to space the adjustable support belt 154 from the reinforcing member 102 and therefore prevent damage to the reinforcing member 102. The roller assembly 155 comprises rollers arranged to contact the reinforcing member 102, so that downwards sliding of the reinforcing member 102 rotates the rollers. A line arrangement extends up from the pull down winch 152, and is connected to the automatic hammer 106, to allow the pull down winch 152 to pull down the automatic hammer 106. The line arrangement crosses from one side of the upstanding pole 12 to the other, because the automatic hammer 106 is located at the opposite side of the upstanding pole 12 than the pull down winch 152. 12 To ensure symmetrical application of force, the line arrangement comprises a winching bridle 156, where lines 158 (e.g., chains) of the line arrangement split into a pair of diverging lines 158 at the winching bridle 156, wrapping around left and right sides of the upstanding pole 12. The winching bridle 156 is mounted against the side of the upstanding pole 12, at a height above that of the pull down winch 152. The winching bridle 156 may have a width greater than the diameter of the upstanding pole 12. The winching bridle 156 may comprise a body and a roller configured to roll along the upstanding pole 12 as the winching bridle 156 is pulled down by the pull down winch 152. The winching bridle 156 may be referred to as a tension roller, in some examples. The automatic hammer 106 comprises winch connectors 136 at each lateral side of the automatic hammer 106, to receive the pair of lines 158. The winch connectors 136 may comprise any appropriate means to which a metal chain can be connected, for example. In summary, the pull down winch 152 is connected to the automatic hammer 106 from below by the pair of upwardly extending lines 158 wrapping around both sides of the upstanding pole 12, allowing the pull down winch 152 to impart symmetrical downwards force on the automatic hammer 106. In summary, a method of using the installation system 100 comprises: hanging the automatic hammer 106 from the upstanding pole 12 by the hanging system 138, via the hanging loop 116 of the automatic hammer 106; connecting the winching system 150 to the automatic hammer 106, for example comprising connecting the hanger winch 160 to the automatic hammer 106 via the first line 162, and connecting the pull down winch 152 to the automatic hammer 106 via the pair of lines 158; activating the winching system 150 and the automatic hammer 106 such that the winching system 150 moves the automatic hammer 106 vertically 13 downward while the automatic hammer 106 percussively impacts the top end 104 of the reinforcing member 102, to drive the reinforcing member 102 into the ground 10. For example, the pull down winch 152 may be an electric winch comprising an electric machine to wind in the pair of lines 158 automatically, therefore pulling the automatic hammer 106 down. Concurrently, a user may manually lengthen the first line 162 by unwinding the hanger winch 160, allowing the automatic hammer 106 to move down. Based on the above arrangement, it would be understood that high forces occur at the connection between the first line 162 and the hanging loop 116 of the automatic hammer 106. It would be desirable to design this connection to prevent the hanging loop 116 from breaking suddenly, or wearing to the point it has lost at least 10% of its diameter at any point. It is for this reason that a fabric lifting sling 164 may be used, rather than a metal shackle or wire rope eye. Fabric is softer than metal, so the fabric lifting sling 164 will wear out faster than the hanging loop 116. It is faster and cheaper to replace a fabric lifting sling 164, than to replace an automatic hammer 106 or weld on a new hanging loop 116 due to a broken or worn-down hanging loop 116. The fabric lifting sling 164 may be formed from webbing, for example. In other examples, another fabric connector may be used, such as a rope eye of a fabric rope, or an elastically stretchable material (e.g., elastomer) secured into a noose. The noose, eye, or sling may be secured by a crimp, knot, or woven connection. Furthermore, the hanging loop 116 has been designed to maximise its strength and avoid stress concentrations, while bearing in mind that the overall weight and unwieldiness of the automatic hammer 106 should be kept reasonable for manual handling. The design of the hanging loop 116 is shown in FIG. 2. 14 FIG. 2 shows that the hanging loop 116 is fixed to a top end region 110 of the body 108 of the automatic hammer 106, opposite the bottom end region 112 where the effector 114 is located. Therefore, the automatic hammer 106 can hang vertically from the first line 162, and hammer downwardly on the top end 104 of the reinforcing member 102. The hanging loop 116 is formed from a bent rod 118 of solid cross-section mild steel or another appropriate material. The diameter ‘D’ of the bent rod 118 may be approximately equal to 16mm, or another value of at least 14mm. The hanging loop 116 forms a closed loop, fixed to the top end region 110 of the body 108 at both ends by welds 134. The bent rod 118 comprises a plurality of bends 122. Each bend 122 may attract stress concentrations, and forming each bend 122 may lead to residual stresses. Therefore, out of all the bends 122 that the bent rod 118 has, the one(s) with the minimum bend radius ‘R’ has a bend radius as large as possible. Specifically, the minimum bend radius divided by the diameter (R / D) is approximately equal to 2 (e.g., 1.8-2.2), or is another value greater than or equal to 1.5. The other bends 122 may have an even greater bend radius (R / D). This ensures that the hanging loop 116 is much less likely to break from stress, which may arise if installers apply excessive force from the winching system 150, for example. Furthermore, the bent rod is free from any reverse bends 122. All the bends 122 of the bent rod 118 are handed in the same direction. Although this reduces the available length for welds 134, since it is no longer possible to wrap the bent rod 118 around a corner of the body 108, it has been found through testing that breakage is very unlikely to occur at the welds 134 in any case. 15 FIG. 2 shows that an inner side of a first end portion 120 of the hanging loop 116 is welded to a first lateral side of the body 108, and an inner side of an opposite second end portion 126 of the hanging loop 116 is welded to an opposite second lateral side of the body 108. Each end portion 120, 126 of the hanging loop 116 is welded to the body 108 only by straight welds 134. Furthermore, each end portion 120, 126 of the hanging loop 116 comprises a straight section 128, wherein the inner side of the first portion 130 of the straight section 128 is welded to the respective lateral side of the body 108, and wherein a second portion 132 of the straight section 128 forms part of a span of the hanging loop 116. Therefore, bends 122 close to the welds 134 are avoided, to ensure the direction of force and stress makes the greatest use of the strong welds 134. To further reduce wear on the bent rod 118, the bent rod 118 comprises a straight crown 124 with a straight horizontal length of at least 3cm. This means that the fabric lifting sling 164 is not always contacting the same part of the crown 124 of the bent rod 118, so any wear will be spread over a wide area rather than confined to one spot. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an installation method 300 for reinforcing the upstanding pole 12. At block 312, the method comprises positioning the reinforcing member 102 against a side of the upstanding pole 12. At block 314, the method comprises hanging the automatic hammer 106 from the upstanding pole 12 by the first line 162 supported by the hanging system 138. For example, block 314 may comprise positioning the winch pole 140 against the side of the upstanding pole 12, such that an upper region of the winch pole 140 is above the automatic hammer 106, and wherein the first line 162 is guided by the winch pole 140 such that the automatic hammer 106 hangs from the first line 162. At block 316, the method comprises connecting the winching system 150 to the automatic hammer 106. For example, block 316 may comprise: connecting the pull down winch 152 of the winching system 150, by the adjustable support belt, to the side of the upstanding pole 12; connecting the pull down winch 152 to the automatic hammer 106 by the line arrangement 158; and connecting the automatic hammer 106 to the first line 162 connected to the hanger winch 160, via the hanging loop 116. At block 318, the method comprises activating the winching system 150 and the automatic hammer 106 such that the winching system 150 lowers the automatic hammer 106 while the automatic hammer 106 percussively impacts the top end 104 of the reinforcing member 102, to drive the reinforcing member 102 into the ground. For example, activating the winching system 150 may comprise: operating the pull down winch 152 to lower the automatic hammer 106 while the automatic hammer 106 percussively impacts the top end 104 of the reinforcing member 102; and operating the hanger winch 160 to which the first line 162 is connected, to lower the automatic hammer 106, while the pull down winch 152 is operating to exert downwards pulling force on the automatic hammer 106. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An installation method for driving into ground a reinforcing memberpositioned against an upstanding pole, the installation method comprising:hanging an automatic hammer from a first line by a hanging system, enabling the automatic hammer to percussively impact a top end of the reinforcing member; andconnecting a winching system to the automatic hammer, operable to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member; andoperating the winching system to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member,wherein the automatic hammer comprises a body, and a hanging loop fixed to the body,wherein the hanging loop is connected to the first line,wherein the hanging loop is formed from a bent rod having a diameter ‘D’, and a minimum bend radius ‘R’, andwherein R / D is greater than or equal to 1.5.

2. The installation method of claim 1, wherein R / D is greater than or equalto 1.8, and / or less than 2.2.

3. The installation method of claim 1 or 2, wherein all bends of the bent rodare handed in a common direction.

4. The installation method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the bent rod is formedfrom solid cross-section metal, and wherein the diameter D is at least 14mm, or is approximately equal to 16mm.

5. The installation method of any preceding claim, wherein the hangingloop is welded to the body of the automatic hammer.

196. The installation method of any preceding claim, wherein the hangingloop forms a closed loop, fixed to the body of the automatic hammer at both ends.

7. The installation method of claims 5 and 6, wherein an inner side of a firstend portion of the hanging loop is welded to a first lateral side of the body, and an inner side of an opposite second end portion of the hanging loop is welded to an opposite second lateral side of the body.

8. The installation method of claim 7, wherein each end portion of thehanging loop is welded to the body only by straight welds.

9. The installation method of claim 7 or 8, wherein each end portion of thehanging loop comprises a straight section, wherein a first portion of the straight section is welded to the respective lateral side of the body, and wherein a second portion of the straight section forms part of a span of the hanging loop.

10. The installation method of any preceding claim, wherein the winching system comprises the first line, wherein the first line comprises a connector configured to pass through the hanging loop, and wherein the connector is formed from a softer material than the hanging loop.

11. The installation method of claim 10, wherein the hanging system comprises a fabric lifting sling defining the connector.

12. The installation method of any preceding claim, wherein the bent rod comprises a straight crown.

13. The installation method of claim 12, wherein the straight crown has a straight length of at least 3cm.

14. The installation method of any preceding claim, wherein the automatic hammer is a pneumatic hammer.

15. The installation method of claim 14, wherein the hanging loop is fixed to a top end region of the body of the automatic hammer, and wherein an effector of the automatic hammer protrudes from a bottom end region of the body of the automatic hammer.

16. The installation method of any preceding claim, further comprising wrapping support bands around the reinforcing member and the upstanding pole, wherein the support bands are connected to themselves.

17. The installation method of any preceding claim, comprising operating a pull down winch of the winching system, connected to the automatic hammer by a line arrangement, to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member.

18. The installation method of claim 17, wherein the winching system further comprises an adjustable support belt wrapping around the upstanding pole to support the pull down winch above ground level below the automatic hammer.

19. The installation system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the automatic hammer comprises a winch connector to which the line arrangement of the winching system is connectable.

20. The installation method of claim 17, 18, or 19, wherein the linearrangement comprises a winching bridle and a pair of lines, wherein the pair of lines are spaced apart by the winching bridle to extend to both sides of the upstanding pole, and wherein the pair of lines are configured to connect to both lateral sides of the automatic hammer.2121. The installation method of any preceding claim, comprising positioning a winch pole against a side of the upstanding pole, such that an upper region of the winch pole is above the automatic hammer, and wherein the first line is guided by the winch pole such that the automatic hammer hangs from the first line.

22. The installation method of claim 21, wherein a spike is mounted to the upper region of the winch pole, wherein the spike is configured to engage with a side of the upstanding pole.

23. The installation method of claim 21 or 22, wherein a pulley is mounted to the upper region of the winch pole, wherein the first line extends through the pulley, and connects to the hanging loop of the automatic hammer.

24. The installation method of any preceding claim, comprising operating a hanger winch of the winching system, to which the first line is connected, to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member.

25. An installation system for driving into ground a reinforcing member positioned against an upstanding pole, the installation system comprising:an automatic hammer;a hanging system configured to enable a first line to hang the automatic hammer from the upstanding pole, enabling the automatic hammer to percussively impact a top end of the reinforcing member; anda winching system connectable to the automatic hammer and operable to lower the automatic hammer while the automatic hammer percussively impacts the top end of the reinforcing member,wherein the automatic hammer comprises a body, and a hanging loopfixed to the body,wherein the hanging loop is configured to connect to the first line,wherein the hanging loop is formed from a bent rod having a diameter‘D’, and a minimum bend radius ‘R’, andwherein R / D is greater than or equal to 1.5.5T +44(0)30 0300 2000A

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