Implement for driving posts

Abstract

A post driving implement for use with a vehicle, such as a tractor or a skid loader, is disclosed. The post driving implement is comprised of a hammer, a hammer channel, and a hammer cylinder. The hammer travels longitudinally within the hammer channel and is lifted by the hammer cylinder mounted to a closed end of the hammer channel. The hammer cylinder and its associated plumbing is of sufficient size to function as a hydraulic reservoir for the post driving implement, thus eliminating the need for a third hydraulic line to the reservoir on the vehicle and to avoiding need for alteration of the vehicle's reservoir. The post driving implement of the present invention may also include a back plate for mounting the implement to a vehicle. Additionally, the post driving implement may include adjustment mechanisms to vary the positional and angular relationship between the vehicle and the implement.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A post driving device for driving a post, the device comprising: 
 a channel including a weight slidable therein for driving the post;    means for rasing and lowering said weight; and    an adjustment mechanism interconnected to said channel, said adjustment mechanism comprising an adjustment cylinder interconnected on a first end to an adjustment bar, said adjustment cylinder interconnected on a second end to an adjustment cylinder rod, said adjustment cylinder rod interconnected to an adjustment slide, wherein said adjustment bar is selectively slideable within said adjustment slide upon controlling a hydraulic fluid to said adjustment cylinder, wherein said adjustment mechanism can tilt and move said channel in a plane that is substantially parallel to a back surface of said channel.