Q&A
Working tools 

Does it matter if an attachment is used on several machines?

Yes. Each attachment has specific hydraulic operating pressures and flows which
must be maintained to prevent damage to the attachment. When the attachment is
installed, a service tech should setup the carrier to suit these hydraulic requirements.
If the attachment is to be moved to another carrier, the new carrier must also be
setup correctly.

Failure to do this can result in over-flowing or over-pressuring the attachment, blowing or
burning oil seals, hoses or valving. It can also result in the attachment not receiving enough oil
flow or pressure, which will cause the attachment to underperform or not work at all.
To be safe, it is always best to ensure the carrier is correctly setup to the hydraulic
attachment fitted before commencing work.

Why do Tools Break?

There are many reasons why hydraulic breaker working tools fail.
Very rarely is it a manufacturing fault when considering quality working tools made
from nickel chromium alloy, which possesses all the important qualities needed to
withstand the arduous conditions hammer tools work under.

Some reasons working tools break can be summarised by the following:

• Lever breaks – tools are used at wrong angles or are used as crowbars to either
  free a stuck tool or help remove rock or concrete that is not broken all the way
  through.
• Blank firing – this occurs when the tool is not engaged and the hammer is fired for
  long periods.
• Metal welding – this results from either a lack of lubrication or incorrect tool working
  angle which squeezes out grease and causes the tool/bush to make contact,
  allowing a small crack to form due to the heat created while this contact is made.
• Torsional break – where a chisel will twist & snap trying to follow the natural
  contour of a rock formation.

Ways to Minimise Tool Breakage

Some ways to minimise tool breakages are:

• Operator training – BA Equipment Group can provide assistance to train operators
  should this be required.
• Using bronze bushes instead of steel – It should be noted that utilising bronze
  bushes will increases the frequency of bush replacements as bronze will wear
  quicker than steel.
• Using a shorter tool rather than a long one which can reduce the lever effect during
  operation – BA Equipment Group can supply tools of any length to suit your application.

Download the information PDF here or contact your local BA Equipment Group office if you need further information or assistance.