A method of recognizing obstacles on operation of a vibratory pile driver of a work machine includes monitoring an acceleration signal of the vibratory pile driver during operation of the vibratory pile operator and analyzing the acceleration signal to determine the presence of an obstacle. The acceleration signal may be monitored over a time period which is determined based on an excitation frequency of the vibratory pile driver. The analysis may include comparing negative and positive half-waves of the acceleration signal. Responsive to the analysis indicating an obstacle, a system operator may be alerted, and/or operation of the vibratory pile driver may be adjusted via controller intervention.