Troubleshooting Issues With Hydraulic Hammers
It doesn’t matter whether you are excavating for a foundation or demolishing a structure; your hydraulic hammer needs to function correctly. If your hammer fails to work, your project will undoubtedly be halted. Not only is it a productivity issue, but it can be a safety hazard as well. We have created a systematic approach to the most common hydraulic hammer problems for all our customers.
Make Sure Shutoff Valves are Open & Quick Fluid Couplers are Fully Engaged
The most common calls we get are for hydraulic breakers that won’t cycle. Very frequently, the stoppage of the hammer occurred because one of the shutoff valves was closed or a fluid coupler was not fully engaged. In addition to not cycling, a closed return valve can cause heat and backpressure issues that will overheat the hoe ram seals and cause leaks. Before running a hydraulic breaker, always make sure the shutoff valves on the excavator are fully open and all quick fluid couplers are fully engaged.
Low Nitrogen in Accumulator or Backhead
Every hydraulic hammer uses nitrogen in a rechargeable chamber, which is critical to the breaker’s performance. Steady gas pressure in the accumulator absorbs spikes from the system and makes power in a backhead chamber. Hydraulic hammer supply hoses that bounce or hop around excessively are common indicators that the nitrogen chamber needs to be recharged. This puts the hammer at risk, lowers impact power, and causes hammer supply hoses and tube connections to loosen and leak. If you see the lines moving excessively and/or notice reduced impact power, call to have your hydraulic breaker recharged, which can often be done in a few hours.
Broken Tie Bolts or Tie Rods
Your hydraulic hammer has four tie bolts, also known as side bolts, that hold the hydraulic breaker together. These can often be seen by looking at the top of the breaker just below the top bracket. The operator should get a look at these daily to see if the top nut is missing or if threads can be seen under the head of the nut. If tie rods or side bolts are loose or broken, the hydraulic breaker’s major components can shift, with the misalignment frequently causing it to leak and do internal damage. Your hydraulic hammer should not be operated with a broken bolt, and if it is caught early, you can avoid a complete teardown and damage to the hammer internals.
Excessive Lower Bushing Clearance
Excessive lower bushing clearance is the leading cause of piston and cylinder damage in hydraulic breakers. The lower bushing in your hydraulic hammer keeps the tool aligned with the strike piston and cylinder. If there is too much clearance, the hammer seals and hydraulic oil cannot act as buffers, resulting in external leaks and excessive piston-to-cylinder contact that scuffs and scratches critical sealing surfaces. If these scuffs and scratches to the piston and cylinder of your home cannot be polished out, a replacement can cost thousands.
Tips To Avoid Costly Repairs
Make sure that your hydraulic hammer continually has a thick film of chisel paste or hammer lubricant between the lower bushing and the demolition tool.
For Hydraulic Hammer Repairs, Choose Gorilla Hammers
Our team at Gorilla Hammers is well-equipped for hydraulic hammer repairs. With trained technicians and the right equipment, we’ll get your hydraulic breaker or hoe ram back to work fast. We also carry a wide selection of remanufactured hydraulic breakers—over 25 in stock—to fit nearly any carrier. Want to learn more about our services? Contact us today at 888-814-6745.
