Participants

Justin Odegaard, attachment product specialist, Bobcat

Dennis Hoops, director of rental, Hilti

Kris Zehren, demolition product manager, Wacker Neuson

Jeff Beck, product manager, DeWalt

RER: What are some of the latest technological developments in your breakers and with breakers in general?

Hoops: The latest technological development in Hilti breakers is the use of the brushless motor. This enables the tool to run longer between service intervals and makes the tool less sensitive to fluctuations in electrical current when used with a generator. This motor is also more tolerant of low voltage situations commonly caused from using small gauge extension cords or joining multiple cords together. Standard motors with brushes run the risk of “burning out” under low voltage situations, while a switched reluctance motor (no brushes) is, within limits, capable of running slower and designed to eventually shut itself off to minimize damage to the motor under these same conditions.

Most workers expect a lot of vibration when using a stand-up breaker. Hilti greatly reduces vibration transferred to the operator through an active vibration reduction system (AVR) that is integrated into the tool.

Zehren: Wacker Neuson's new EH 70 electric breaker utilizes 240-V power and delivers best-in-class demolition performance and power/weight ratio. The EH 70 can be used with any construction-grade 3,800-watt portable generator. This breaker was specially developed for intensive use over long periods of time. The end result is a comparatively lightweight design with demolition power and a long lifespan. The high demolition power stems from the shock-optimized percussion system, which generates 52 foot-pounds of single-stroke impact energy with an impact rate of 1,275 bpm. And it is this power, combined with a low weight of 57 pounds that gives the breaker its impressive power/weight ratio. Operators can work extremely effectively with minimum fatigue. With a hand arm vibration value below 5 m/s², the device can be deployed to the same operators for a full day. The hood design also makes the breaker easier to handle. Its percussion system is designed for extremely low maintenance and minimum levels of wear and tear, making it an extremely cost-efficient choice. The asynchronous motor works without the usual carbon brushes and as such requires zero maintenance.

Beck: The latest technology developments that we see are regarding electronic controls, how to continue to deliver consistent performance while the tool is loaded. Our dedicated hammer design center in Idstein, Germany, is continuing to explore ways to reduce vibration and tool weight through different materials and designs.

Please give a summary of your breaker product line. What are its strengths?

Odegaard: Bobcat offers breakers in the range of 60 foot-pounds to 1,000 feet, matched to Bobcat's line of loaders and excavators. Most are designed to be quickly and easily switched between excavators and loaders. This is very beneficial for the contractor that owns or uses both on various jobs and to the rental center that rents attachments to loader and excavator operators. Operators can easily perform routine maintenance and daily checks. A multi tool, including a simple go/no-go gauge, is included with the breaker that allows operators to check the wear of the retaining pin and bushing. On most models, if the bushing has been worn beyond the normal range the operator can quickly change in the field without special tools. A range of bits are available include nail points, chisels, blunt points and tamping pads for most models. All breakers have “dry fire” protection and the power cell is suspended with shock absorbers that helps reduce vibration to the operator and machine and helps quiet the breaker.

Hoops: The Hilti breaker line starts with the TE 500, which is a small tool designed for work that is waist high or overhead such as removing wall tiles or light breaking or correction work with a bushing tool or a specialized chisel. The TE 706 AVR is the next step up in size and is used for similar applications where more power is needed. This tool is easy to control for applications like removing floor tiles or breaking out concrete around rebar on vertical walls.

The next series of tools were all developed with similar technological advancements including brushless motors, active vibration reduction, and high power-to-weight ratio. They are primarily used in a downward position for breaking up concrete and asphalt flatwork. The TE 1000 is designed for concrete approximately 4-inches thick, the TE 1500 for 6-inches thick and the all-new TE 3000 for very thick or hard concrete or breaking up large areas like driveways. In many applications, the TE 3000 performs at or above the level of a 60-pound air hammer, which is commonly used for thick concrete or large jobs.