A Guide to Better Hydraulic Hammer Use: 5 Tips You Need to Know

Hydraulic breakers are powerful machines that can break hard materials like granite boulders, but they also put a lot of stress on themselves and the equipment they are attached to. To operate them safely and efficiently, you need to follow the instructions from the manufacturers carefully. However, there are many factors that affect the performance and lifespan of your hydraulic breaker, such as the type of material, the work environment and the carrier machine. Therefore, you need to use some skill and judgment when using your hydraulic breaker, as a small mistake can cause a lot of damage to both machines.

1. Choose the Right Spot for the Breaker

Breaking a large piece of concrete or rock is not as simple as hitting it in the middle with your breaker. That will only make your job harder and damage your machines. You need to look for cracks or weak points near the edges of the material and aim your tool there. Make sure your tool is perpendicular to the surface and apply some of the carrier's weight on it. Use short bursts of power and move the tool inward if you see a crack. If nothing happens, move the breaker sideways and try another spot closer to the edge. You can also create a crack by scoring along an edge.

Don't hammer for more than 15 to 30 seconds on one spot without breaking anything. That's like drilling with a breaker, which is not what it's designed for. It will create a lot of dust and heat, which can damage your tool, piston and breaker. It will also cause a lot of recoil and vibration, which can wear out your carrier's boom, pins and bushings, and hydraulic system.

2. Avoid Firing Blanks 

Firing blanks means using your breaker when the tool is not touching anything. This is very bad for your breaker and your carrier, as all the energy from the piston goes back into the tool steel, bushing and housing.

You need to develop a sense for when the material breaks and stop the hydraulics as soon as possible. You can tell by the change in sound and vibration. Some blank firing is unavoidable, but you should minimize it as much as you can.

You also need to apply enough down pressure on the breaker, but not too much. You can use the boom to transfer some of the carrier's weight onto the tool, until you see the front end of the tracks lift slightly off the ground. That way, you ensure good contact between the tool and the surface. If you don't apply enough down pressure, the breaker will bounce around and send shock waves to your carrier. If you apply too much down pressure, your carrier will be lifted too high and crash down when the material breaks.

3. Do not Use Your Breaker as a Lever

Your breaker's tool point is not meant to be used as a lever or a pry bar. Doing so can bend or break your tool, or misalign it in its bushing. This can cause serious damage to your breaker, as the piston may not hit the tool head properly. The piston and cylinder are very precise parts that need to be aligned perfectly for optimal performance and durability. If they are misaligned, you will lose breaking power and generate excess heat and contamination in your hydraulic system. You may also damage the piston or cylinder, which are very expensive to repair.

You should also avoid applying any lateral pressure on your tool when you are applying down pressure on the breaker. This can wear out the piston tolerances and cause misalignment. You should also never use your breaker to lift or push anything, as this can damage the attachment.

4. Choose the Right Hammer for Your Carrier 

Keeping your hydraulic breaker clean is very important for its performance and durability. When you switch attachments on your carrier, make sure you cap the hydraulic hoses to prevent dirt and dust from entering the fittings. Quick-disconnect couplers can be a source of contamination that can damage your breaker and your carrier's hydraulic system. Check the hoses and couplers for any signs of wear or damage, and use a clean cloth to wipe the fittings.

You also need to make sure that your breaker is compatible with your carrier and the job you are doing. If you use different carriers for the same breaker, check that they all have the right size and hydraulic output for the breaker. You can mark the breaker's coupler with the model number of the carrier or carriers it fits. Consult your equipment supplier to verify that the breaker matches the carrier's weight and hydraulic capacity, as well as the application.

Using a breaker that is too small for your carrier can cause problems with the mounting adapters, the tool and the hammer components, as the carrier will apply too much force.

Using a breaker that is too large for your carrier can also be problematic, as the carrier will not be able to transmit enough energy to break the material effectively. The excess impact energy will also harm the carrier's boom and hydraulic system.

Hammers need to operate within a certain range of hydraulic flow and pressure. The flow rate affects the speed of the hammer's hits. If the flow rate is too high, the breaker will bounce on material that is hard to break, causing overspeed impacts that can damage the breaker and the carrier. If the flow rate is too low, the breaker will not hit fast enough to break the material efficiently.

The pressure relief setting controls the operating pressure of the breaker. If the setting is too low, the breaker will not get enough pressure before oil flows over the relief valve, creating excess heat in the hydraulic system. If the setting is too high, the breaker will get too much pressure and risk damaging itself or the carrier.

5. Greasing is Part of Operating 

Your hydraulic breaker needs a lot of high-quality grease to work properly and last longer. You should grease your breaker every two hours, but this may vary depending on the conditions you are working in. Grease has two main functions: to reduce friction between the tool and the bushing, and to flush out dust and debris from the bushing as it melts down the tool.

You can't use just any grease for your breaker. You need to use a special grease that has molybdenum and can withstand temperatures above 250° C or 500° F. Molybdenum helps to lubricate the bushing and tool steel even after the oil additives break down. Some manufacturers also recommend using a thicker chisel paste that has copper and graphite particles that act like ball bearings between the steel and bushing.

The right amount of grease is also important. You don't want to use too little or too much. The general rule is to grease your breaker every two hours, but this may not be enough for the biggest breakers. You need to have enough grease to fill the space between the tool and the bushing and to minimize friction.

The right technique is also important. You need to hold the breaker vertically with some down pressure on the tool bit to push it up against the piston. This will force grease around the tool and into the gaps between it and the bushing. It will also keep grease out of the percussion chamber, where the piston strikes the top of the tool. Grease in the percussion chamber can damage the breaker's seals.

Too little grease can cause the bushings to overheat and seize. You can tell if your breaker is not properly lubricated by looking for shiny marks on the tool. The amount of grease you need may vary depending on the size of your breaker, the wear rate of your tool and bushing, the condition of your tool seal, your work techniques and the quality of your grease. Different models and manufacturers may have different recommendations for greasing breakers. It's best to ask your equipment supplier for advice on how to lubricate breakers in your working conditions.

Many manufacturers suggest pumping grease into the breaker bushing until you see grease coming out of the bottom of the bushing. This will ensure that the space between the bushings and the tool steel is filled and that old grease is replaced by new grease. Grease more often in dry, dusty environments, if the tool looks dry, drags in the bushing or has shiny wear spots on its shank. The goal is to have grease always flowing down the tool, not running like oil but melting easily and carrying away dirt and debris.

For some applications, you may need an auto-lube system to keep your breaker lubricated. Auto-lube systems will automatically provide shots of grease into breakers. But you still need to check them regularly and watch for signs of proper lubrication. You should manually check the grease cartridge or supply lines from the carrier's auto-lube every two hours.

Wet and underwater applications require more grease because water can wash away the lube. You may also need to use biodegradable lubes for open water applications.

If you are using your breaker underwater, you need to have an underwater kit and an air compressor. Without these accessories, water can get into your breaker and contaminate your carrier's hydraulic system, which can ruin your components.

Are you looking for hydraulic breakers that can handle any job and last longer? Do you want to save money and time on your construction projects? If so, you need to check out Cheng Li Precision Machinery, the leading manufacturer of hydraulic breakers in China.

We offer high-quality hydraulic breakers that are designed to break hard materials like concrete, rock and granite with ease and efficiency. Our breakers are compatible with various carrier machines and applications. Our breakers are also easy to operate and maintain, thanks to our detailed instructions and tips on how to use them properly.

But that's not all. Cheng Li Precision Machinery also offers competitive pricing and excellent customer service. We have a team of experienced and friendly salespeople who can help you find the best breaker for your needs and budget. We also have a network of dealers and distributors who can deliver your order quickly and safely. And we have a warranty and after-sales service that will ensure your satisfaction and peace of mind.

So what are you waiting for? If you are interested in purchasing hydraulic breakers from Cheng Li Precision Machinery, please email out salesperson Eric Qian at ericqian@hydraulicbreaker.cn. He will be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with a quote. Don't miss this opportunity to get the best hydraulic breakers in the market. Contact us today!