Exploring the Technologies and Maintenance of Mini Ex Breaker Attachments

When it comes to mini excavator hammers and breakers, more isn’t always better. In fact, quality is significantly more important than quantity, in terms of productivity, cost-savings and life of the equipment.

Ten years ago, it was necessary to take the complete breaker back to the shop or to a dealer to replace the bushings. Now it can be done in five minutes in the field.

1. What Technologies Make Breakers Work?

A hydraulic breaker, as the name implies, operates as a result of the movement of hydraulic fluid supplied from the host carrier. They are typically equipped with at least two hydraulic connections and are coupled to the carrier with an inlet/pressure hose and an outlet/return house. The hydraulic oil directed into the breaker from the carrier is used to propel an internal piston that reciprocates and transfers percussive energy to the working steel, which is in contact with the material to be broken.

In more visual terms, the internal piston can be viewed as a hammer, and the working steel as a nail. When an operator activates the breaker, hydraulic oil enters its internal porting via the pressure hose and produces the force that drives the piston. The hydraulic oil is then directed back to the carrier through the return hose. Other mediums, such as nitrogen gas (N2), within the breaker also can be used in the process to accelerate the piston against the working steel. This varies by manufacturer and breaker size.

2. What Are the Newest Advancements in Hammer Tech?

Early breakers were very loud, very heavy, very slow (fewer blows per minute) and delivered limited impact energy. Today, breakers are quiet by incorporating sound suppression material to keep the noise produced by the piston striking the tool inside the hammer box, he explains. This allows contractors to work in areas where noise is a problem, such as cities, hospitals, etc.

As hydraulic breaker designs have evolved, self-preservation features have been added to increase longevity and efficiency, as well as reduce repair costs. This includes features such as AutoControl in the range of medium and large breakers, which automatically adjust how hard the breaker hits, based on the density of the material being broken. By delivering the correct amount of percussive force for the job at hand, the breaker does not need to run at full force at all times. This greatly reduces wear and tear on the breaker and lowers operating costs.

Using the right working steel in the breaker is very important. A chisel profile sends impact energy in a defined pattern, while a blunt tool sends force in all directions equally.

By nature, these are very self-destructive products, and they can be very expensive to repair when they break down. As a result, manufacturers are trying to improve operating costs. One strategy is to reduce the number of parts in the product, especially the number of moving parts. One example is reducing the number of bolts. This reduces the amount of time it takes to disassemble, repair and reassemble the product.

In terms of the bushings, we make them very easy to check, with ‘go’ and ‘no go’ gauging. It only takes a moment for an operator to look at it. If it is a ‘go,’ they can operate the breaker. If it is a ‘no go’ gauge, they can replace it. Along the same lines, bushings are field-replaceable. Five or 10 years ago it was necessary to take the complete breaker back to the shop or to a dealer to replace the bushings. Now it can be done in five minutes in the field.

3. How Can Operators Achieve Optimal Productivity and Efficiency?

First, it is very important to make sure that the breaker is the right size product for the mini excavator. This weight ratio between the breaker and the machine is very important. In addition, all breakers operate within a flow range, so you want to make sure the dealer keeps it within this flow range. If there is not enough flow, you will not get enough power. If there is too much, you can damage the breaker. When a breaker is sized properly, energy will transmit to the working surface. However, if a breaker is too large for the carrier, energy is transmitted in two directions — to the work surface and to the machine.

As a result, impact power and productivity are diminished. On the other hand, using a breaker that is too small will put excessive force on the mounting components and working steel of the breaker, which can cause damage and lead to costly downtime.

Matching the breaker to the application is just as important. If it doesn’t have enough power for the application, the working steel and hydraulics can overheat and become damaged, again leading to costly downtime and reduced efficiency. Generally, if a breaker consistently runs for 30 seconds without any signs of progress, you should select a larger breaker.

Not all operators are careful when it comes to hammer operation. Part of this can be attributed to not understanding how a hammer can be used most effectively. The most common mistake is not moving the tool enough during the breaking. That is, the operator will accelerate tool wear by not moving the tool often enough in material that is difficult to break. Improper tool positioning can also reduce productivity and lead to hammer damage. The tool should be kept at a 90-degree angle to the work piece at all times.

You should also consider the hydraulic flow and pressure specifications required to effectively operate the breaker. If the carrier can’t provide enough flow at the right pressure, then the breaker can’t perform with the maximum power, and efficiency is reduced. Many breakers also feature a nitrogen gas assist, which, in conjunction with the hydraulic oil, accelerates the piston. It is important to maintain and fill the nitrogen reservoir as needed for consistent power output.

Using the right working steel in the breaker is also important. For example, a chisel profile sends impact energy in a defined pattern when working to a specific relief or following a seam is desired, while a blunt tool sends force in all directions equally with a shattering effect.

When an operator activates the breaker, hydraulic oil enters its internal porting via the pressure hose and produces the force that drives the piston.

4. What Are the Most Important Maintenance Program Recommendations?

Breakers and hammers need grease constantly, which is the No. 1 maintenance concern. You have steel against steel, and a lot of heat, so you need a good lubricant and a lot of it. Also, make sure all fasteners are tight. Check the bottom tool holder bushing to make sure that it is not worn out. If it is not within manufacturer’s tolerances, replace it before it causes piston problems finally, use sharp demolition tools. They are more productive.

Breaking rock is very hard on equipment, so you will definitely need a plan. It’s important that operators have a maintenance schedule for their breakers and stick to it. This will help extend the life of the breakers and tools and keep them operating with optimal power. It’s important to check wear parts, like the working steel bushing, which will eventually need to be replaced on every breaker. It is also a good idea to perform a flow test at least once a year to ensure the carrier is delivering the correct hydraulic input to the breaker. The market is moving more and more toward maintenance-free breakers. However, there are still some requirements. For example, you need to check the wear on the breaker, make sure to keep it greased, and so on. In addition, he suggested, every eight months or so, or at least once a year, bring the breaker back to the shop or dealer to open it up for inspection.