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For those of you who are involved in construction and heavy equipment, maybe you are familiar with the Jack Hammer. Often also written as Jackhammer, this is a tool or machine that is generally used to dismantle or destroy concrete floors or asphalt roads.
Handheld jack hammers generally derive their energy from compressed air, but some are powered by electric motors. Larger jack hammers, such as the rig mounted hammers used in construction machinery, usually acquire power hydraulically. This tool is usually used to break stones, sidewalks, and concrete.
How the Jack Hammer works by moving the internal hammer up and down. The hammer is first pushed down to hit the back and then back up to return the hammer to its original position, to repeat the cycle. The effectiveness of this Jack Hammer depends on how much force is applied to the tool. This tool is typically used like a hammer to break hard surfaces or rock in construction work and is not considered equipment that moves underground.
Several types of jack hammers:
Pneumatic Jack Hammer
A pneumatic jack hammer also known as a pneumatic drill, is a Jack Hammer that uses compressed air as a power source. The air supply usually comes from a portable air compressor driven by a diesel engine. Reciprocating compressors were previously used. The unit consists of a reciprocating compressor which is driven, via a centrifugal clutch, by a diesel engine. The engine only provides two speeds, namely idling (when the clutch is released) and maximum (when the clutch is activated and the compressor is running). Modern versions use a rotary compressor and have a more advanced variable control.
Electric Mechanical
Often called rotary hammer because it has an electric motor, which rotates the crank. The hammer has two pistons, namely the drive piston and the free flight piston. The crank moves the driving piston back and forth in the same cylinder as the flight piston. The drive piston never touches the flight piston. Instead, the drive piston compresses the air in the cylinder, which then pushes the flight piston, which contacts the bit.
Hydraulic Jack Hammer
Generally much larger than a portable one, can be mounted on a mechanical excavator or backhoe. It is widely used for road works, excavation, and general demolition or basic construction work. The breakers that are installed with larger machines are known as Rig Mounted or Machine Mounted Breakers. They can also be used on vertical walls, as the vehicles involved are large enough and strong enough to exert force without the need for gravity to operate the tools.
Here’s an example of a very simple jack hammer checklist inspection for you to actually use:
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