a lifting device such as a mobile crane having a main body and a boom , such as a lattice boom , for supporting a pile lead for , e . g ., pile driving or continuous flight auger drilling , and a method of using same . a hydraulically operated mechanical spotter arm may be attached between the device body and the pile lead . electronic position sensors on the spotter arm may be used to measure angular relationships between the pile lead and the spotter arm . position sensors on a boom box on the boom may also be used . when the pile lead is swung , information from the sensors may be used by an electronic control system to automatically maintain the pile lead in a desirable position , limiting torque induced in the boom . the boom box position sensors may be used to counter - steer the spotter arm to further limit torque . the boom box may also be fitted with rubber springs to permit controlled pile lead deflection while limiting load transmitted to the boom . other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the disclosure .