Earthmoving Attachments, Hammers

How to keep your rockbreaker in top performing shape

Staff WriterSeptember 29, 2023, 11:45 amSeptember 28, 2023

A Walkers Hammers Service Technician demonstrating operational and maintenance features of the Rammer 5011E to their customer, Indigenous Civil Group (ICG).

Correct operation, regular maintenance, and visual inspections of a rockbreaker are vital to minimise the chance of failures and costly downtime.

Rammer has released a short video that walks the operator through the process of keeping your Rammer rockbreaker (hammer) in top performing shape.

As detailed in the video, maintaining your rockbreaker is not difficult when you follow simple instructions.

One good example from the video is correct greasing practice. Lubrication remains critical to keeping the equipment in good condition. Operators should verify every two hours of operation that the tool is sufficiently greased.

If lubrication is inadequate, damage can be almost instantaneous, and can dramatically reduce the equipment’s operating life.

It is also important to regularly observe hydraulic oil temperature during the operation, ensure that all lines and connections are secure, and verify impact efficiency and evenness of operation.

All Rammer rockbreakers come with a model specific service manual including instructions for correct greasing practices. Service manuals can also be downloaded at the Rammer website.

Preventative maintenance

Proactively maintaining a regular servicing schedule for excavator attachments is a tried and tested way to cut downtime, avoid costly repairs, improve the overall efficiency of operation, and prolong the life of your investment.

Rammer was the first on the market to add a remote monitoring system for hydraulic rockbreakers, as one of the most effective ways to improve machine maintenance is to collect and analyse data.

The RD3 monitoring device is attached to the rockbreaker, pinpointing the exact location of the equipment. This enables users to simply log into the cloud-based SAM platform to see all the data on operating hours, how the rockbreaker is being operated, and required service intervals.

With the RD3 you can effectively manage service periods and minimise machinery downtime by scheduling maintenance during times of least impact on production.

RD3 is a standard feature on all Rammer Excellence Line rockbreakers, and it is also available as an option for Rammer Performance Line and as retrofit kit for older Rammer rockbreakers.

Proactive monitoring

Correct operation is vital to minimise the chance that rockbreaker fails and causes costly unscheduled downtime. One of the major causes of premature failure in rockbreakers is long cycles where the operator continues to hit the button and the piston keeps striking for extended periods.

By using advanced electronics to sense the impacts and stresses on the rockbreaker, RD3 provides information on how the rockbreaker is being operated. With the RD3 data, customers can provide operator education when needed to avoid maintenance costs due to premature failure.

Assistance and technical advice

Rammer, the most respected brand for hydraulic attachments, is a part of Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions business area that operates within Sandvik Group, the global engineering giant in mining and rock excavation, metal-cutting, and materials technology.

Rammer products are supported by a dedicated global dealer network offering factory-approved maintenance and warranty services. With ready access to genuine Rammer parts and a wealth of operational knowledge and experience, the dealer network can ensure Rammer products continue to contribute to customers’ profitability for their entire working life.