Hydraulic hammer piston

Types of hydraulic hammer pistons

A hydraulic hammer piston is a component of hydraulic hammers. Hydraulic hammers are large pieces of machinery that use the power of pressurized liquid to break down hard surfaces, generally metal or rock. Typically, a hydraulic hammer consists of a driving mechanism, an accumulator, a control system, a diode, a cylinder, a piston, a breaker tool, and a seal.

The way hydraulic hammers work is through high-pressure oil. This pressure then drives the piston to deliver rapid impacts to a breaker tool, which subsequently breaks down hard material. The impacts of this machine are constant and rhythmical. Hydraulic hammers are commonly used in mining, construction, and demolition sites. They are attached to excavators and loaders.

There are generally four types of hydraulic hammers. The first type is the vertical or top mount stroke hammer. In this hammer, the hydraulic fluid moves first before the piston moves. Once the piston moves, the fluid begins to move again. Top-mount vertical stroke hammers are usually lighter and are generally used in construction projects and site clearances.

The second type of hydraulic hammer is called the side mount or horizontal stroke. In this hydraulic hammer, the piston moves in a horizontal direction. The side-mount horizontal stroke hammer is used for its efficiency in breaking down metal.

Floating hammers are the third type and work by having the breaker tool hold the piston in place while it moves down or up. This type of hydraulic hammer is commonly used in mining projects. Many people use floating hydraulic hammers because they don't require operator assistance.

The last type of hydraulic hammer is the fixed or solid hammers. The fixed hammer moves with the carrier on pins and bolts. This type of hydraulic hammer is very useful when one has a very large project on their hands that requires constant use of the hydraulic hammer.

Hydraulic hammer piston specification and maintenance

Choosing the right hydraulic hammer piston is essential for the effective functioning of the entire hammer. The following specifications can be used to make the right choice.

• Piston Diameter and Weight

The piston diameter should match the size of the hydraulic hammer. Larger hammers require bigger pistons to generate greater impact forces. Another consideration is the weight of the piston. Lighter pistons accelerate faster but may not deliver sufficient impact energy. Heavier pistons provide more striking force but place greater loads on the hydraulic system.

• Material

  Hammer pistons are usually made from high-strength steel or alloy cast iron. The selected material should be able to withstand constant impacts over many years. It should also have resistance to wear from repeated contacts with the hammer's cylinders and chisels.

• Seals and Bushings

  Hydraulic hammers rely on seals and bushings to function properly. The seals prevent hydraulic fluid from leaking at the piston and cylinder contacts. This is commonly called piston rod seal in hydraulic cylinder. Bushings reduce wear on the hammer's housing by allowing the piston to move freely. Regular inspection and replacement of degraded seals and bushings can avoid unplanned downtime for hydraulic hammers.

Apart from the specification of the hydraulic hammer piston, it is also crucial to understand how to maintain the equipment properly so it can function for a longer time.

Like all components, the hydraulic hammer piston functions better when maintained well. Some maintenance tips are as follows:

• Regular Inspection

Users should check the hammer regularly for signs of wear or damage to the piston. Any cracks, deformations, or obstacles should be fixed immediately to avoid further deterioration. Regular checks will extend the lifespan of the hammer.

• Lubrication

  Precise lubricant application reduces friction between the piston and other component parts. Lubrication cuts the rate of wear and tear, increasing the hammer's efficiency.

• Clean Hydraulic Fluid

The piston and other hammer parts must be kept clean to avoid blocking. Using hydraulic oil with adequate anti-cleaning agents improves the durability of the oil. The filters should be changed regularly to remove impurities.

• Seal and Bushing Replacement

Hydraulic hammers rely on seals and bushings to function as they should. Seals prevent fluid leakage at the contact points of the piston and cylinders. Bushings reduce wear on the housing of the hammer by allowing free movement of the piston. Regular inspection and replacement of degraded seals and bushings can avoid unplanned downtime for hydraulic hammers.

Scenarios of hydraulic hammer pistons

The hydraulic hammer and its piston are mainly used in the construction and mining industries. The following list demonstrates some scenarios where they are applied.

• Breaking and Demolition

  The primary use of hydraulic hammers is to break hard materials like concrete, rock, and asphalt. These hammers are mounted on excavators or used as standalone units to dismantle complete structures, conquer hard rock formations, or tear up asphalt roads.

• Quarrying

  Hydraulic hammers play an essential role in the quarrying industry. They are used to break large rock blocks into smaller, more manageable pieces. This process helps in extracting valuable stone materials, such as marble, granite, or limestone, for construction, landscaping, and other applications.

• Excavation

  Hydraulic hammers are used to break through rock formations during excavation projects to create foundations, trenches, tunnels, or other openings. They are especially valuable in soft-to-medium-hard rock conditions where traditional excavation methods may be slow or ineffective.

• Road Construction and Repair

  Hydraulic hammers are used in road construction and repair projects to remove old, damaged pavement, break up concrete road bases, or create expansion joints and cracks in existing roadways.

• Tunneling

  In the construction of tunnels, hydraulic hammers are used to break through solid rock and create tunnel excavations. They offer precise control and enable the construction crews to form the required tunnel profiles.

• Urban Construction

  In urban settings, hydraulic hammers are used for various construction and demolition tasks. They are valuable for breaking concrete floors, walls, and foundations; dismantling old buildings; and clearing construction sites for new projects.

• Landscaping

  In the field of landscaping and site preparation, hydraulic hammers are used to break up large boulders and rocks, remove root systems, or create terraces and leveling for landscaping projects.

How to choose hydraulic hammer piston

The following buying guide will help customers when they are buying hydraulic hammers for excavators.

• Consider the overall size and weight

  These factors will determine if the hydraulic hammer will work with the excavator. Ensure that it is powerful but not too heavy or large to destabilize the excavator's arm.

• Check the mounting system

  Buy hammers with compatible brackets or adapters. An easy-to-fit hammer will save time and installation cost.

• Ensure proper excavator oil flow

  The excavator hydraulic system needs the right oil flow rate and pressure to work well with the hammer. A mismatch can lead to poor performance or damage to both machines.

• Consider the impact energy

  Buy a hammer with the right impact energy rating. If too low, the hammer may not perform its task. If too high, it may overstress the excavator and the objects to be broken.

• Check the hammer construction

  A well-built hammer will have a strong body, replaceable plates, and a durable hydraulic breaker hammer piston and cylinder. Choose a hammer with quality materials and an effective design for long life.

• Consider whether to buy an air or oil injected hammer

  Oil-injected hammers perform better in high-pressure settings. Pure air hammers are suitable for low-pressure hydraulic systems. Oil hammers offer better lubrication and lower wear and are often preferred in excavator use.

• Check if the hammer has a service lock

  A service lock prevents hydraulic oil from flowing to the hammer when it is not in use. This feature will reduce wear on the hydraulic piston and cylinder.

• Consider the hydraulic breaker hammer performance

  Users want hammers that break rocks fast to reduce downtime in projects. Choose hammers that have a longer piston stroke and higher impact energy per joule.

• Check for additional features

  Some hammers have anti-blank firing systems that prevent damage when the chisel is not in contact with any object. Others have vibration control systems to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the excavator and operator cabin. Consider these features and choose what is important for the intended use.

Hydraulic hammer piston FAQ

Q1: What are the trend factors of the global hydraulic hammer market?

A1: The market for hydraulic hammers is expected to increase owing to factors such as the increase in infrastructure expenditure worldwide, which in turn boosts the demand for construction equipment and the constant innovations in hydraulic hammer technology.

Q2: What are the main parts of the hydraulic hammer?

A2: A hydraulic hammer consists of the following parts: cylinder, piston, tool, seal, dampers and buffers, and spring.

Q3: What is the working process of the hydraulic hammer?

A3: The hydraulic hammer works in the following way. The hydraulic oil of the equipment flows into the cylinder of the hammer. After that, the oil generates force to move the piston of the hammer. Then, the piston strikes the tool of the hammer to break or demolish the objects.