The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Hydraulic Breakers For Excavators

09, Sep. 2024

 

A Beginner's Guide to Hydraulic Hammers for Excavator ...

If you're in the market for a new or used hydraulic hammer, you're not alone. Hydraulic hammers, otherwise known as breakers, have increased in sales since the pandemic ended. If you're wondering, 'How do I find a hydraulic hammer that suits my needs?', we've found all you need to know about buying hydraulic hammers for excavator equipment to help you.

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Learn more about how to choose hydraulic breaker hammers below, so you can buy one that suits your project's needs.

Size

A hydraulic hammer must be installed with the right size carrier. The right match will streamline efficiency and protect the hammer from chipping or breaking.

Since there's no industry standard, the size of the breaker should be measured by its weight ratio or its impact energy level.  If you measure by the weight ratio, the hydraulic hammer should weigh only 10% of the carrier weight.

For example, let's say you own a 20-metric-ton excavator that weighs around 44,092 pounds; in this case, you'll need to purchase a hammer that weighs less than 4,409 pounds. By doing so, the carrier isn't overloaded and can work as intended without any hiccups.

Hydraulic Flow

Hydraulic breakers are powered by the hydraulic flow of the excavator. Some can adjust to various amounts of flows, and some cannot.

You don't want too much hydraulic flow, as it could create overflow. In creating overflow, the pressure would increase, leading the hammer to crack or break.

On the other hand, there also shouldn't be insufficient flow, as the hammer will become slow and rather unproductive. It's important to have the right amount of flow to power the hammer and make it work efficiently.

It's best to have a wide range of hydraulic flow, rather than a narrow flow. With a wide range of flow, you can accomplish several projects without purchasing several hammers with exact flow types. Look for hydraulic hammers that can adapt to a large range of hydraulic flow.

Maintenance Cost

When selecting a hydraulic breaker, consider the long-term maintenance costs and compare them to your overall budget. A hydraulic hammer is always an investment, but make sure you purchase a model that's known for its long-lasting ability. By doing so, you will only have to maintain it periodically, rather than after each use. Check reviews or ask RJB Hydraulic Hammers about which hammer is best for your overall budget.

Buy Hydraulic Hammers for Excavator Machines Today

Buying a hydraulic hammer is no easy feat. To choose the right one for your needs, consider its size, hydraulic flow, and overall maintenance cost.

We at RJB Hydraulic Hammers proudly sell hydraulic hammers and replacement parts to companies around the globe. Our team has years of construction expertise to help you find and install the right hydraulic hammer for your needs.

Contact us today to purchase hydraulic hammers for excavator machines.

Hydraulic Hammer & Breaker Sizing Guide

Also see  . Our   may help you as well. You can find specifications of virtually all hydraulic breakers (hammers) makes by using our  .

Sizing Hydraulic Breaker (Hammer)

The breaker must be sized properly for both the work it will do and the carrier on which it will be mounted.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Hydraulic Breakers For Excavators. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Sizing breaker (hammer) based on type of work

This is the most critical factor in choosing the breaker size.

SMALL HYDRAULIC BREAKERS (HAMMERS): up to -ft.lbs. ( Joules), are typically used in concrete and other light duty work.

MEDIUM HYDRAULIC BREAKERS (HAMMERS):  ' -ft.lbs. ( ' Joules) are used in both concrete and rock applications with limitations on the size and amount of material to be broken.

LARGE HYDRAULIC BREAKERS (HAMMERS): over ft. lbs. ( Joules), are typically used in rock and large scale concrete demolition projects.

BREAKING OVERSIZE MATERIAL: When breaking oversize material the breaker is expected to break the material down the middle into two pieces. This is optimum production. If the operator has to re-position the breaker towards the edge of the rock and gradually downsize the material, production rate slows down. To assess what size of breaker will effectively handle this application, the size and hardness of the material must be known. If a 4 cubic yard piece of hard rock (20,000 psi or greater) needs to be broken in half you will require a 7,500-ft. lb. or larger breaker. If a 2 cubic yard piece of limestone (20,000 psi or less) needs to be broken in half you will require a 3,000 ' 5,000-ft. lb. breaker.

TRENCHING: When trenching, the breaker is expected to fracture a solid mass of rock into manageable pieces. The size of the material could be 100's of cu.yds, and the energy will be quickly absorbed. This is why it is recommended to work from a bench so the rock has somewhere to break out. We recommend when trenching in limestone or medium hard rock, to use a 3,000 ' 5,000-ft. lb. breaker. When working in hard material we recommend a 7,500 ' 10,000-ft.lb. breaker, and if high production is critical, a 13,500-ft.lb. breaker would be beneficial.

BREAKING CONCRETE: When breaking Concrete, the breaker is expected to penetrate the material, allowing it to crack and shake loose from the reinforcing steel. High frequency breakers tend to provide better performance in this application as it is not the energy per blow, but the fast blow rate that destroys the concrete's structural integrity. We recommend on concrete walls, footings, and floors to use a 750 ' 1,500-ft. lb. breaker. With larger projects, consisting of large footings greater then 4 cubic yards, use a 2,000 ' 5,000-ft. lb. breaker. The high production demand of bridge and building demolition requires a 7,500 ' 10,000-ft. lb. breaker.

Please refer to the   provided on our site.

Sizing breaker (hammer) based on the carrier size

After considering the application work, determine the carrier on which the breaker will be installed. Gorilla Hammers has assigned a 'Recommended Carrier Weight' range to each breaker. If the operating weight of the carrier falls within this range, the carrier will safely handle this model of breaker. If the desired breaker falls outside of this recommended carrier weight range, the carriers lifting capacity and oil flow will need to be verified to ensure a proper fit.

Lifting Capacity: Provided the weight of the breaker does not exceed the maximum lifting capacity at any position, the carrier is assumed to be stable. On most loader backhoes and excavators, the maximum lifting capacity is lowest when the boom is at full reach. This is the value that must be compared to the operating weight of the breaker.

Oil Flow and Operating Pressure: A required oil flow range is specified for each breaker. Oil flow to the breaker within this range is adequate for operation. However, for maximum productivity the carrier should be capable of providing the maximum required flow. Compare the maximum oil flow requirement of the breaker with the oil flow capacity of the carrier. Remember the breaker operates at --psi. therefore, oil flow should be evaluated at operating pressure.

Please refer to the following charts, Sizing the Breaker which outlines the recommended carrier weight range.

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