Did you know that around 13 construction employees die every day due to work-related accidents? In addition, heavy machinery, such as hydraulic hammers, can make a job even more dangerous if the operator isn’t as experienced as they should be.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can not only increase safety, but perform a more efficient job overall too. Not only is this beneficial to you, but it helps keep your business’s reputation pristine as well.
Keep reading to learn more about the best tips and tricks for proper backhoe hammer usage.
Avoid Dry Firing When Possible
When it comes to a hydraulic excavator hammer, you can increase the longevity of the machine and the general efficiency by avoiding blank-firing. Blank-firing happens when you fail to disengage the hydraulics each time you lift the breaker from the surface you’re working on.
Disengaging the hydraulics every time is often easier said than done, but this is a skill worth honing. One of the best ways to improve is by increasing your awareness of vibrational changes, which are often accompanied by a change in sound too. By doing so, you can initiate the disengagement as soon as you hear the surface material breaking.
Don’t feel discouraged if you end up firing some blanks here and there because it’s not possible to avoid them every time. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that dry firing can wear away at both the bushing and housing of the breaker.
Use the Proper Amount of Grease
If you want your backhoe hammer usage to stay at peak performance, you’ll need a significant amount of grease. The rule of thumb is to grease the machine every two hours, although the exact timeframe can depend on the type of job and other conditions.
The last thing you would want to do is leave the machine parts as dry as a bone. This will not only affect your performance as an operator, but it can reduce the longevity of the machine. If you fail to maintain it with proper grease application, you may need to replace one or more parts, if not the entire backhoe hammer, altogether.
Yet another way to increase hammer life is by investing in regular inspections. This can keep you up-to-date on potential issues before they turn into full-blown accidents. Investing in annual training, for instance, can also go a long way toward boosting efficiency.
Ready to Perfect Your Backhoe Hammer Handling?
Now that you’ve learned all about the best tips and tricks for backhoe hammer usage, you can become even more effective at your job. Your clients and co-workers will certainly admire your increase in skill!
We can provide your business with a wide range of reliable hydraulic hammers. From mini-excavators and skid steers to loader backhoes and full-sized excavators, we make sure you have the right tool for the job. We also offer parts, rebuilding services, and more.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about our high-quality services or parts.