5 Operating Guidelines of Excavator Hydraulic Breaker You Must Know

In the world of construction, demolition, and quarrying, the combination of an excavator and a powerful hydraulic breaker is an indispensable force. This dynamic duo provides the muscle and precision needed to tackle a wide range of challenging tasks, from breaking through concrete and asphalt to demolishing structures and preparing sites for new development. Understanding the capabilities and, more importantly, the safe operating procedures of a hydraulic hammer on an excavator is crucial for maximizing efficiency and minimizing risks.

Key Operational Guidelines of Hydraulic Breaker for Excavator

To harness the full potential of your hydraulic breaker attachment while ensuring a safe working environment and prolonging the lifespan of your equipment, it's essential to adhere to best practices. Here are some crucial operational guidelines:

Avoid Continuous Operation: The "One-Minute" Rule and Its Rationale

The instruction to refrain from operating the hydraulic breaker in a single spot for more than one minute is a fundamental rule for both safety and equipment preservation. When the breaker's piston strikes a stationary tool, the energy is efficiently transferred to the material. However, if the material doesn't break and the operator keeps hammering, the kinetic energy is converted into heat. This excessive heat can severely damage the internal seals and hydraulic fluid, and can also lead to premature wear or even fracturing of the breaker's piston and tool. Prolonged, continuous hammering on a non-yielding object can also cause the tip of the tool to deform, a phenomenon known as "mushrooming." To prevent this, if the material does not break within the recommended timeframe, release the trigger, reposition the tool slightly to find a new fracture point or weak spot, and resume the operation. This intermittent, strategic approach ensures maximum energy transfer and prevents destructive heat buildup.

Steer Clear of Vertical Arm Operation: The Dangers of "Prying" and Side-Loading

Operating the hydraulic hammer with the excavator's arm in a vertical position or at an improper angle is a common and dangerous mistake. This practice, often referred to as "prying" or "side-loading," prevents the impact force from traveling straight through the tool. Instead, it creates immense bending stress on the tool, the hydraulic cylinders, and the boom and stick structure. The most immediate risk is the high-frequency vibration and shock loads that are transmitted back through the hydraulic system, which can cause internal seals to blow out, leading to fluid leaks and costly repairs. Furthermore, improper angles can cause the tool to jam in the material or, in a worst-case scenario, snap the tool entirely. Always position the excavator to ensure that the tool is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the breaking surface, allowing for the most efficient and safest transfer of impact energy.

Maintain Machine Stability: The Importance of a Solid Base

The stability of the excavator is paramount when operating a heavy-duty hydraulic breaker. Your guideline to avoid operating on the sides is a critical reminder of this. When the excavator works off to its side, the machine's center of gravity shifts, placing uneven stress on the tracks, the slew bearing, and the entire undercarriage. This not only increases the risk of the machine tipping over but also accelerates the wear on components not designed to handle such asymmetrical loads. For optimal performance and safety, always position the excavator on a level, stable surface. The breaking force should be directed through the machine's strongest points—the front and center—ensuring a solid, balanced platform for the hydraulic breaker to do its work.

Prevent Boom Collisions: Operator Awareness and Maneuvering

While seemingly a basic rule, preventing collisions between the hydraulic breaker and the excavator's boom requires constant operator awareness, especially during confined-space operations. A collision can happen quickly when the operator is distracted or attempting a complex maneuver, leading to significant structural damage to the boom and the attachment. Modern excavators often have hydraulic limiters or sensors to help prevent this, but they are not a substitute for a vigilant operator. Before starting a breaking task, an experienced operator performs a quick "check" of the workspace, ensuring there's enough clearance for all movements. When repositioning the machine or the attachment, always ensure the hydraulic breaker is in a safe, retracted position, well clear of any machine parts or external obstacles.

Respect Undercarriage Limits: Protecting the Front-End Components

The temptation to use the breaker's downward force to lift the excavator's tracks out of soft ground or to get a better angle can be strong, but it is a highly destructive practice. As your guideline correctly states, this action puts immense strain on the boom, stick, and bucket cylinders, potentially bending them or causing the hydraulic seals to fail. While a minimal lift of the undercarriage (e.g., a few inches) might occur during aggressive breaking, actively using the breaker to lift the machine off the ground is strictly prohibited. The sudden release of energy when the material breaks will cause the heavy excavator to drop and slam onto the ground, transmitting a massive shock load throughout the entire machine. This can damage not only the front-end components but also the swing bearing, tracks, and main frame. Always use the machine’s tracks or boom to reposition the excavator, not the hydraulic breaker.

Recommend Reading:How to Use a Hydraulic Breaker:Guide to Using a Hydraulic Hammer

A Leader in Hydraulic Breaker Technology: The BEILITE Difference

BEILITE Machinery Co., Ltd., a Chinese National High-Tech Enterprise established in 2002, is at the center of this breakthrough. BEILITE, which specializes in the research and development, production, and maintenance of premium hydraulic breakers, has expanded quickly via constant innovation and astute manufacturing, driven by the idea that "Quality Changes the Future."

The creation of China's first heavy-duty and underwater hydraulic breakers is one of the many industry firsts that BEILITE has spearheaded. The company has hundreds of unique innovations and is certified to EU, CE, and TÜV standards for quality, environment, and occupational health. BEILITE's participation in the 2015 writing of the national standard for hydraulic breakers (GB/T32799-2016) and membership in esteemed associations such as the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the European Demolition Association (EDA) demonstrate its leadership in the industry.

With its two main brands, BLT and BLTB, BEILITE provides a wide range of products, such as the Backhoe Loader, Side-Mounted, Top-Mounted, Sound-Suppressed, and Skid Steer Loader series. These devices, which range from BLT-40 to BLT-280, are well known for their high residual value, minimal maintenance costs, long service life, consistent performance, and powerful impact power.

The Beilite BLTB-200 breaker attachment boarded the research icebreaker Xuelong 2 in 2021 for a scientific expedition at China's Great Wall Station in Antarctica, demonstrating how well suited they are for the most challenging working conditions, such as mining, demolition, tunneling, underwater, high-altitude, high-temperature, and extremely cold weather conditions.

BEILITE, the first Chinese hydraulic hammer brand with its own intellectual property to reach Europe, has effectively spread to more than 100 nations, including the US, Germany, the UK, Russia, Japan, and India. BEILITE offers a full-cycle support system from pre-sales to after-sales, supported by a comprehensive service network in China and expanding international outlets, all under the service tenet of "quality first, service foremost."

More information about Beilite excavator hydraulic hammer

Related Reading:How to Choose a Reliable Hydraulic Breaker Manufacturer，Beilite Trustworthy

Final Words

The excavator with hydraulic breaker is a powerful and versatile tool that significantly enhances productivity across various industries. By adhering to these operational guidelines and choosing a trusted brand like BEILITE, which is committed to integrity, innovation, and global leadership, operators can maximize the performance of their equipment, ensure a safe job site, and extend the life of their valuable investment. Investing in proper training and emphasizing these operational tips will undoubtedly lead to more successful and safer projects involving this dynamic machinery duo.

Want to know more about hydraulic breaker maintenance methods? Contact us to get the maintenance manual.

FAQs:

Q: Why is continuous operation in one spot for more than a minute a problem?

A: Prolonged hammering on a single point generates excessive heat that can damage the breaker's internal seals and hydraulic fluid. It also causes the breaker tool to deform, a condition known as "mushrooming." Intermittent operation allows the system to cool down and helps you find a new, weaker point to break the material more efficiently.

Q: What is "prying" or "side-loading," and why is it dangerous?

A: "Prying" is using the breaker tool to pry or lever material, often by operating the excavator's arm at an improper angle. This puts immense side-loading stress on the breaker tool, the hydraulic cylinders, and the boom structure. This can lead to bent or broken tools, damaged cylinders, and harmful vibrations that can cause hydraulic leaks. The correct method is to apply force perpendicularly to the breaking surface.

Q: How does maintaining machine stability affect breaker performance?

A: A stable, balanced stance is crucial for effective and safe breaking. Operating on uneven ground or from the side of the machine shifts the center of gravity, placing uneven stress on the undercarriage and slew bearing. This not only increases the risk of a rollover but also reduces the efficiency of the breaker's impact force and can cause premature wear on the excavator's components.

Q: What should I do to prevent the hydraulic breaker from colliding with the boom?

A: Operator vigilance is key. Before starting, an operator should check the workspace for sufficient clearance. During operation, always be aware of the attachment's position relative to the rest of the excavator. When repositioning the machine or the attachment, ensure the breaker is in a safe, retracted position, well away from the boom and other structural components to avoid accidental contact and costly damage.

Q: Is it ever okay to use the hydraulic breaker to lift the excavator?

A: No, this practice should be avoided. Using the breaker's downward force to lift the undercarriage puts immense and damaging strain on the boom, stick, and hydraulic cylinders. When the material finally breaks, the machine will drop, sending a destructive shock load throughout the entire system. This can lead to serious damage to the front-end components, swing bearing, and undercarriage. Always use the machine's tracks or other appropriate means to reposition the excavator.