Selecting a hydraulic breaker

Aggregates producers face an ever-increasing number of options when selecting a new hydraulic breaker. The breaker market has grown tremendously in recent years to include several makes and models with tools engineered to reduce boulders, dig trenches and demolish concrete.

With so many choices today, it may be easier for you to select a breaker that is compatible with your existing carriers. However, this approach can present some limitations because some hydraulic breakers that are fit to existing carriers may not have the capabilities to manage the material you work with in your applications. You might have greater success and longevity with your hydraulic breaker and your carrier by making selections suited to your intended purposes instead.

In recent years, hydraulic breaker technologies have evolved rapidly to include advancements that not only optimize breaking efficiency and reduce operating costs in mining and aggregate applications, but also allow operators to perform a growing number of tasks in mines and quarries. This combination of technology and versatility means more choices when selecting a hydraulic breaker.

The following are five best practices for choosing a hydraulic breaker:

1. Match the breaker to the project. Simply attaching a larger breaker to your excavator will not guarantee better results on a jobsite. When it comes to oversized boulders, there is a direct correlation between the size of the breaker and the composition and size of the rock. When trying to break rocks, it is best to match the breaker to the work.

For maximum efficiency, size the breaker to the project and do not break rocks into pieces smaller than necessary. This cuts down on the general wear and tear of the breaker, and prevents flooding a crusher with excess product produced by the breaker.

2. Choose the right tool for the job. The life of your breaker depends on using the right tool for the type of work being performed. For instance, contrary to popular opinion, the blunt tool is best for most oversized breaking, as it provides better positioning and transmission of the shockwave. Not all tools are available for every breaker model, so be sure to select a breaker that accepts the most commonly used tools for the job.

In aggregate applications, operators often gravitate to blunt tools and chisels. These two types of hydraulic breaker tools with their distinctly different heads provide the best performance for managing boulders and other larger material in the early stages of mine and quarry operations.

• Blunt Tools: This tool’s flattened head is designed to direct the force of a blow equally in every direction. By spreading the energy out, it tends to shatter the surface, which creates cracks and accelerates the separation of existing seams or lines. It is often the tool of choice when a sharper tool is ineffective.
• Chisel Tools: The main function of these tools is to direct the breaker’s energy to a head that looks like a sharpened pencil point or a flat screwdriver. On impact, the head weakens a mass by chiseling cracks or opening seams that can be further broken down. There are two categories of chisels that are commonly selected for use in aggregate operations: in-line and cross-cut. Each type is engineered to direct the breaker’s force in specific directional patterns.

3. Avoid blank firing. The most damaging action to a hydraulic breaker is blank firing. Many manufacturers have improved breaker technology to include blank-fire protection that employs a hydraulic cushion at the base of the cylinder bore to dampen the movement of the piston. It also protects the hammer from metal-to-metal contact, decreasing the likelihood of premature deterioration of the breaker and its bushings, retaining pins and front guide. When working in mining and aggregate applications, you can significantly improve breaker life by selecting a hydraulic breaker model with standard-package blank firing technology.

4. Make protective housing a top priority. An enclosed breaker design, one in which the breaker is cradled inside a protective housing, can also extend the life of a breaker attachment. The housing protects the power cell from damage and reduces noise level. It also prevents dust and debris from entering the bushings and disrupting the performance of the breaker. The suspensions also decrease vibration for enhanced operator comfort.

5. Insist on auto-adjusting impact. When a hammer’s stroke can be adjusted, operators can match breaker frequency to material hardness. Automatic variable speed technology senses changes in material hardness and adjusts impact energy and striking rate, reducing harmful energy transferred back to the carrier. Selecting a breaker with automatic variable speed technology can improve productivity, and in turn, profitability.

Following these five best practices can help you select the right breaker attachment, regardless of model size and make of equipment carrier.
Jamie Jackson is with Two Rivers Marketing, and
information for this article is courtesy of Montabert, 
www.montabert.com.