Common mistakes performing tasks with the hydraulic hammer

The hydraulic hammer is perhaps the most widely used rubble removal tool in the light and heavy equipment industry. These hammers are used on equipment of different sizes from compact front loaders, backhoes, and large excavators.

Machinery operators often make common mistakes that minimize the attachment’s lifespan.

The most common operational errors are listed below.

Blank or dry firing: This error occurs once the material or surface being worked on has been fractured or demolished. Working with the breaker without a working surface will cause wear, overheating of the hydraulic system, and possible pin failure.  

Prying and Raking: Components of the hydraulic hammer such as the tip of the tool shouldn’t be used for prying and raking. This can cause fractures or breaks in several parts of the attachment. We suggested avoiding this practice to the maximum especially when working on surfaces that allow the penetration without a greater effort.

The inclination: The correct position to operate the breaker is in the direction of the force towards the boom, unconventional angles can generate forces called bending, producing fractures in tie rods, bolts, and excessive wear in the tool.

Other common practices that negatively affect the span life of a hydraulic breaker are:

– Successive operation for more than 30 seconds in one spot.

-Alternative uses, such as the movement of heavy elements, lifting of objects using the tool, and a continuous succession of firing.

-Operate the attachment underwater unless it has received the relevant modifications from the manufacturer.

-Complete extension or retraction of hydraulic cylinders.

-Cool the tip of the hydraulic breaker using water, this can lead to brittle tips or premature breakage.