Designed to demolish rock, concrete and intact construction materials, hydraulic breaker attachments can be a best friend on a jobsite where demolition is the end goal. Using proper operating techniques, pulverizing rock and breaking apart concrete can be accomplished efficiently and effectively. However, improper operation can just as easily derail a project, costing valuable time if a breaker fails unexpectedly on the job, or costing money by potentially increasing maintenance and/or shortening attachment life.

To ensure a long, productive life for your breakers, make sure operators are adequately trained and follow these recommended operating tips.

Don’t Dwell Too Long in One Place

In an attempt to finish a job quickly and break material all at once, some operators may start at the center of a rock or large piece of concrete. “But it’s better to work from an edge,” says Rob Sherwin, president, Arrowhead Rockdrill. “When you go straight to the center of the work, you can damage the working tool or wear it out prematurely. If it’s a rock breaking application, look for a natural crack to aid in the process.”

Hammering continuously in one place for more than 30 seconds is also counterproductive and can damage the breaker.

Read more: Refresher on Use and Care of Hydraulic Breaker Attachments

Wouldn’t it be great if leak-free connections could last forever? Great, yes. Realistic, no. The good news is that fitting designs have improved significantly over time, making it easier to assemble and reassemble a hydraulic fitting most connections and conduct routine maintenance without increasing the risk of leak paths.

Two common types of fittings, however, generally rank poor for reusability. When dealing with tapered-thread pipe and JIC (Joint Industry Council) or 37° flare fittings, in particular, anyone doing maintenance on a fluid system should always ask: “Can I reassemble this fitting, or does it need to be replaced?”

Tapered-Thread Pipe Fittings

These torque-sensitive fittings have been around for many years, and if you’re working on old equipment, you’re likely to come across tapered-thread pipe fittings. They use a thread interface to make a metal-to-metal seal that generally is supplemented with the use of a sealant, such as tape or paste. Repeated assembly and disassembly can distort the threads, so it’s important to thoroughly inspect the threads for damage before reusing one of these fittings.

It would be wise to replace the male fitting any time you disassemble a tapered-thread fitting. But if you’re being frugal and want to reuse a fitting, here’s a quick way to determine if your reconnection will be leak-free:

Read more: How Many Times Can I Reassemble a Hydraulic Fitting?

Global Brass Hydraulic Tube Fitting Market Report provides detailed market segment level data on the international market. This market report addresses forecast and growth patterns by company, regions and type or application from 2017 to 2022. The market research report incorporates analysis of definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. Besides this, report also consists of development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and development in key regions status. Brass Hydraulic Fitting Market by Product Type: Sleeve Type Pipe Joint, Welded Pipe Joint ; Market by Applications: Fittings Which Extend or Terminate Pipe Lengths, Fittings Which Add or Change Direction, Fittings Which Connect Pipes of Smaller Size, Fittings Which Provide Special Connections or Functions

The report starts with a basic Brass Hydraulic Fitting market overview. It also acts as a vital tool to industries active across the value chain and for new entrants by enabling them to take advantage of the opportunities and develop business strategies with market breakdown and data triangulation. Brass Hydraulic Fitting Market by Key Players: Parker, Eaton, Swagelok, Manuli, Voss and many more . Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering: United States, EU, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India.

Read more: Brass Hydraulic Fitting Market Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin, Industry Analysis & Forecast by 2022

The new LiuGong 856H hydraulic wheel loader has been redesigned specifically for the North American market.

Powered by a 225 hp, EPA Tier 4 Final Cummins engine, the LiuGong 856H promises high productivity through advanced technology, including a powershift transmission and advanced load-sensing hydraulic system. The company showcased the machine at World of Asphalt 2018 in Houston, Texas.

“It’s completely redesigned. It has an increase in rated payload, and a new and improved cab,” said Hugo Chang, wheel loader product manager for LiuGong North America.

The wheel loader is equipped with LiuGong’s advanced load sensing hydraulic system. The technology matches hydraulic flow with the operator and ensures the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems work in harmony. Power is supplied only when it is needed to optimize efficiency.

“The new Tier 4 final hydraulics is a closed centre system with a piston pump swash plate for controlling simultaneous lift and curl functions,” Chang said. “The operator can, with the appropriate use of the joystick, attain simultaneous lift and curl functions which was not possible on our previous Tier 3 product line.”

LiuGong also totally redesigned the cooling system to lower fuel consumption. The airflow from the radiator to the fan, combined with the new hexagon grill, improves ventilation. As well, the variable hydraulic fan drive minimizes power needs, and operators have the ability to reverse airflow to increase radiator cleanout intervals.

“It now allows for the cooling system to react at the speed that is required by the machine, based on its usage and ambient temperature,” Chang said. “This equals lower fuel consumption and lower overall machine noise.”

To further decrease fuel consumption, the wheel loader includes auto-idle speed function, which allocates the appropriate rpm for the task at hand. If activity isn’t detected for 10 minutes, the auto-idle speed function will automatically reduce engine speed to idle. The engine immediately returns to the current throttle setting when commanded work is detected.

The 856H also integrates ZF Powershift transmissions, which are available in two types of 4F/3R. As well, the torque converter is optimized for maximum transfer of power to the transmission.

The kick-down button, located on the loader’s joystick, allows the operator to gear down with the tip of a finger to increase torque generated by the engine to boost breakout force and loading capability.

Read more: LiuGong revamps its 856H wheel loader

Global Hydraulic Hose and Fittings market report offers determining insights into the overall Hydraulic Hose and Fittings industry along with the market dimensions and assessment for the duration 2017 to 2025. Hydraulic Hose and Fittings market analysis is provided for global market including development trends by regions, competitive analysis of the Document Readers market.

The mentioned research report covers extensive analysis of various Hydraulic Hose and Fittings industry segments based on the type of applications, type of product Components and services, and different geographical regions.

In the beginning the report provides intense knowledge of the global Hydraulic Hose and Fittings market structure, valuates and outlines its variable aspects & applications.

The initial researches were made which include surveys, opinions of seasoned analysts, and interviews. Secondary researches were also made for collecting and verifying the data which includes reputable paid sources, industry body databases, entails, and trade journals. Both approximate and quantitative analyses were made across different industrial aspects and market verticals.

Furthermore for improved Hydraulic Hose and Fittings analysis of the overall market scenario and future prospects Hydraulic Hose and Fittings market, report along with computable information, qualitative information sets and evaluation tools are provided.

Read more: Global Hydraulic Hose and Fittings Market 2018

The use of variable-speed hydraulic pumps has grown with the development of high-speed controls, quick-response motors, and improved software that give these motor-pump combinations the power and responsiveness to match systems controlled by electrohydraulic valves or a variable-displacement pump, while also reducing energy consumption.

Traditionally, constant-speed ac induction motors have been used to drive the pumps in stationary hydraulic systems, with hydraulic power controlled by flow- and pressure-regulating valves or a variable-displacement pump. However, the constantly-running motor can consume as much as 50% of full-load current, even when the system is not under load. In addition, pumps and motors in conventional hydraulic power units (HPUs) often are oversized to meet maximum duty-cycle demands. By contrast, a variable-frequency drive or servodrive can manage an electric motor’s operating torque and speed more efficiently. Instead of running continuously at full speed, the motor rotates only fast enough to meet system demand at any given time.

A hydraulic system with a variable-speed drive combines the robust, power-dense benefits of hydraulics with the intelligence and ease of integration into automation systems provided by electric drives. Energy efficiency is increased because pump speed is easily adjusted to flow demands, and the motor isn’t running constantly at high speed, regardless of load. Noise is also reduced, especially during operations where pump flow demand is below maximum. Varying the pump speed varies the flow and therefore matches the hydraulic power delivered to the exact amount needed at any point in a machine’s duty cycle, whether during operation, in standby, or while maintaining pressure. In addition, because these systems generally require less oil and consequently a smaller reservoir, the machine footprint can be reduced.

Read more: Variable-Speed Pump Drives Save Energy, Cut Noise and Heat 

Epiroc introduces another first in hydraulic breaker performance technology. Many of the company’s heavy hydraulic breaker attachments now feature the patented Intelligent Protection System (IPS). Seamlessly combining Epiroc’s AutoControl and StartSelect functions, the fully automated system provides simpler, more efficient, and more economical breaker operation.

AutoControl and StartSelect have been popular features on Epiroc hydraulic breakers for years. AutoControl optimizes breaker performance by automatically adjusting the piston stroke length. The StartSelect system offers manual switching between two modes. AutoStart mode enables easy positioning at the beginning of the breaking cycle, while in AutoStop mode the breaker stops automatically to avoid blank firing at the end of the breaking cycle. Epiroc has taken these features to a higher level by combining them in the Intelligent Protection System.

IPS means no manual switching

IPS ensures that the hydraulic breaker always starts in the AutoStart mode. When the contact pressure between chisel and material increases and AutoControl switches from a short piston stroke to a long piston stroke, IPS switches automatically to the AutoStop mode. When the chisel breaks through the material, the breaker automatically shuts off and prevents blank firing.

Read more: Epiroc IPS system takes hydraulic breaker performance to new level 

Global hydraulics and heavy lifting technology specialists Enerpac are introducing to Australasia a new low-height hydraulic skidding system – which stands at just 92mm with the track – for the accurate positioning of heavy loads in tight and awkward spaces.

The new Enerpac LH series low-height skidding system is a modular track system that can jack and slide heavy loads, such as transformers, generators, motors or drives, over a pre-constructed track.

“Skidding systems are ideally suited to tight spaces where cranes aren’t able to access the load effectively. The new low-height system takes this one step further by using a rigid, durable design that can access even tighter spaces, while still providing high lifting capacities,” says Warren Baltineshter, Mining and Heavy Lifting Technology Manager, Enerpac Australia.

“Skidding systems are typically 200-600mm high, which is still an enormous advantage when cranes can’t access a lift site, but the Low-Height system, at just 92mm, opens up possibilities in even tighter, more compact applications,” he said.

The low-height skidding system is comprised of a series of skid beams moved by hydraulic push-pull units, travelling over a pre-constructed track. A series of special PTFE-coated pads are placed on the skid tracks to reduce friction. The push-pull units are powered by a standard Enerpac Split Flow Pump to ensure each skid beam travels synchronously.

“When using two skidding units together, the maximum capacity is 3,560 kN of force, which can lift 400 tons, utilising 700 bar (10,000 PSI) hydraulic pressure,” says Baltineshter.

The low-height skidding system has a push-pull stroke of 600 mm and is designed to easily change skidding direction, using Enerpac’s globally proven hydraulic pumps and cylinders.

Read more: Low-height skidding system moves heavy loads in tight spaces

A previous installment of Troubleshooting Challenge referred to the accompanying circuit. The problem was that the hydraulic cylinder would not go to the 300-psi standby pressure when solenoid 2B was de-energized. The problem was found to be contamination plugging the control orifice.

The user ran into a problem after about four years of good performance from the system. The pump was replaced as a preventive measure when technicians found the shaft seal was starting to leak. Then a new problem cropped up: The speed cylinder was the same until system pressure exceeded 1,000 psi, which caused the pressure-reducing valve to close. The machine had an electronic display that showed the electrical signal to the proportional valve, and it was the same as before the pump was changed.

Any idea what was causing the problem?

Find the Solution

Think you know the answer to this month’s problem? Submit your solution via email. All correct answers submitted by March 19, 2018 will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 gift card. The winner will be notified, and his or her name will be printed in a future issue. Only one gift card will be awarded to any participant within a calendar year.

Congratulations to Joel Mekkes, of Lincolnshire, Ill., whose name was chosen from those who correctly answered last month’s challenge. A $50 gift card is in the mail to him.

Read more: Troubleshooting Challenge: Cylinder Speed Decreasing After Pump Replacement

A hydraulic pumps is a device ideally used in a hydraulic drive system to convert mechanical energy into hydrostatic energy. It works on displacement principle. While operating, a hydraulic pump creates a vacuum at the pump outlet, which pushes the liquid into the inlet line from the reservoir. The liquid gets transferred to the outlet and then transmits the requisite force throughout the hydraulic system. Thus, hydraulic pump is the source of power for several machineries.

Competitive Insights:

The global hydraulic pumps market is highly matured and concentrated. The top four hydraulic pumps manufacturers accounted for over 45% of the global market revenue in 2015. Parker Hannifin Corporation (the U.S.), Eaton Corporation (the U.K.), and Danfoss Power Solutions (the U.S.), and Bosch Rexroth Ltd. (Germany) are identified as the leading hydraulic pumps manufacturers. Other manufacturers including Actutant Corporation (the U.S.), Bailey International LLC (the U.S.), Hydac International (Germany), Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Dynamatic Technologies Ltd. (India), Kawasaki Precision Machinery (Japan), and Toshiba Machine Co. Ltd. (Japan) have been marked as promising and emerging players in the hydraulic pumps market. The market for hydraulic pumps is highly matured and has been plagued by lack of product innovation. This has resulted in price wars among manufacturers leading to profit crunching. Thus, lack of product innovation is identified as one of the biggest challenges to the growth of hydraulic pumps market. Focus on product enhancement is the key strategy for manufacturers.

Key Trends:

• Flourishing construction industry post economic recession
• Industrial Automation and Agricultural Mechanization
• Regulations and legislation promoting reduction of carbon-dioxide emissions and energy savings
• Demand for piston and gear pumps
• Growing demand for renewable energy production

Read more: Hydraulic Pumps Market: Market Share, Industry Size, Leading Players and Industry Research Report 2018