Hazards and Prevention Measures for "Air Striking" in Hydraulic Breakers on Excavators
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Hazards and Prevention Measures for "Air Striking" in Hydraulic Breakers on Excavators

Views: 0     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2025-02-10      Origin: Site

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Hazard Analysis

"Air striking," which occurs when the piston of a hydraulic breaker moves without making contact with the chisel during operation, poses significant risks to both the hydraulic breaker and its components. Whether it is a complete air strike (where the piston does not touch the chisel at all) or an incomplete air strike (where the piston hits the chisel but the excavator is not properly secured), these phenomena can lead to severe damage. The specific hazards include:

  1. Component Damage:
    During an air strike, the impact force intended for breaking material is instead transferred through internal components such as the chisel pin. This can cause the chisel pin to break under excessive stress. Additionally, the force is dispersed to the cross-pin of the chisel pin, leading to cracks around the inner hole edges, ultimately resulting in the fracture of the lower cylinder body.

  2. Structural Failure:
    Frequent air striking can cause critical parts like the front body, flat pin, bolts, guards, boom, and chisel to crack or break. Such structural failures not only reduce the efficiency of the hydraulic breaker but also shorten its lifespan.

  3. Hydraulic System Malfunction:
    Soft and hard hydraulic lines may develop leaks due to air striking, wasting valuable hydraulic fluid, causing environmental pollution, and increasing maintenance costs.

  4. Energy Waste:
    In cases of complete air striking, where the piston does not contact the chisel at all, all the energy generated by the hydraulic system is converted into heat, doing no useful work and potentially overheating the equipment.

  5. Accelerated Wear:
    In incomplete air strikes, even though the piston contacts the chisel, if the excavator is not properly stabilized, the entire assembly lifts, causing the chisel to retreat and move forward with the piston. Eventually, this results in the chisel hitting the flat pin. Throughout this process, the chisel, piston, flat pin, front cylinder body, and bolt rod all experience additional impact forces, accelerating wear. Moreover, if the chisel is struck by the piston during its retraction, it can cause greater damage to the next flat pin, possibly leading to a catastrophic failure similar to a "blowout."

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Causes

Air striking typically arises from improper operation, including:

  • Operational Errors:
    Before starting the hydraulic breaker, failing to ensure that the chisel is firmly pressed against the target material or continuing to operate after the material has been broken can easily result in air striking.

  • Insufficient Maintenance:
    Even though the operator’s manual explicitly prohibits air striking, inadequate regular maintenance—such as not checking and adjusting the condition of various components—can indirectly lead to air striking.

Prevention Measures

To minimize the negative impacts of air striking, the following preventive measures are recommended:

  1. Standardize Operating Procedures:
    Follow the instructions in the hydraulic breaker’s user manual closely. Before beginning work, ensure the chisel is securely pressed against the target material and maintain an optimal striking angle between 85 and 95 degrees. This ensures that each strike effectively transfers energy.

  2. Enhance Operator Training:
    Provide thorough technical training for operators to understand the dangers of air striking and how to operate the hydraulic breaker correctly. Increase their safety awareness and skill level to prevent operational errors.

  3. Regular Inspection and Maintenance:
    Conduct regular comprehensive inspections of the hydraulic breaker, checking for issues such as loose high and low-pressure hoses, hydraulic fluid leaks, and proper nitrogen pressure. Address any problems promptly to avoid minor issues escalating into major failures.

  4. Use High-Quality Components:
    Select original or certified high-quality components, such as chisels, to reduce the risk of air striking caused by substandard parts.

  5. Plan Operations Reasonably:
    Choose appropriate hydraulic breaker models and specifications based on actual working conditions. Avoid overloading the equipment beyond its capacity to reduce unnecessary stress.

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Conclusion

While completely eliminating air striking is challenging, implementing standardized operations, enhancing operator training, conducting regular inspections and maintenance, and using high-quality components can significantly reduce the likelihood of air striking and mitigate its harmful effects. These measures help extend the service life of the hydraulic breaker, ensure safe and efficient construction, and protect the investment in the equipment.


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