Author: Kevin Publish Time: 2025-09-01 Origin: Jinan YZH Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd.
As a key part of the team at Jinan YZH, I know that a rock breaker isn't just a tool—it's the heart of your operation's productivity. Whether you're in mining, quarrying, or construction, when your breaker stops, everything stops. That's why effective maintenance isn't just a recommendation; it's a crucial business practice.
Neglecting your rock breaker system can lead to costly downtime, spiraling repair bills, and a significant drop in productivity. This guide will walk you through the essential maintenance needs of your equipment, focusing on the key components, common issues, and the preventive care that will keep you running efficiently for years to come.
To maintain it properly, you first need to understand its core parts. A complete pedestal rockbreaker boom system, like the ones we engineer at YZH, consists of three critical elements working in harmony:
The Hydraulic Rock Breaker: This is the workhorse. It's the powerful hammer that uses pressurized hydraulic fluid to deliver the immense energy needed to break oversized rock.
The Pedestal Boom System: This is the muscle and brain. The articulated boom holds and precisely positions the breaker over the target material, ensuring accuracy and allowing for safe remote operation, especially in hazardous areas like a crusher mouth.
The Hydraulic Power Unit: This is the heart. It generates and regulates the hydraulic pressure, temperature, and fluid flow required to power the entire system at peak performance.
Each of these components requires specific attention to keep the entire system in top working condition.
Investing a small amount of time in regular maintenance saves you a fortune in the long run. A well-maintained rock breaker system ensures:
Maximum Longevity: It extends the operational life of your valuable asset.
Reduced Costs: It minimizes the risk of unexpected, catastrophic breakdowns and expensive emergency repairs.
Peak Efficiency: It allows your system to operate at its full power, delivering consistent breaking performance.
Enhanced Safety: It prevents failures that could pose serious safety risks to your operators and other machinery.
Proper maintenance is a routine, not a reaction. Here is a practical checklist we recommend to all our clients for their hydraulic rock breaker and boom systems.
Check for Leaks: Carefully inspect all hydraulic hoses, fittings, and seals. Even a small leak can lead to a loss of pressure, contamination, and reduced performance.
Visual Bolt and Pin Inspection: Ensure all bolts and pins securing the hydraulic hammer and the pedestal boom system are tight and undamaged. Loose components can cause misalignment and catastrophic failure.
Inspect the Tool (Chisel): Look for signs of excessive wear, cracks, or deformation on the chisel. A worn tool is inefficient and puts extra strain on the entire breaker.
Grease the Tool Bushings: This is the single most important maintenance task. The tool and its bushings require frequent lubrication with high-quality grease to minimize friction and prevent premature wear. We recommend greasing every 2-3 hours of continuous operation.
Hydraulic Oil Health: Check the hydraulic oil level and its condition. Contaminated or degraded oil is poison to your system's internal components. Follow a regular schedule for oil and filter changes.
Replace Worn Bushings: Bushings are designed to be sacrificial wear parts. Replace them as needed to maintain tight tolerances and proper alignment between the tool and the breaker body.
Examine the Pedestal Boom System: Regularly inspect the boom structure for any signs of stress, cracks, or loose bolts. Damage here can compromise positioning accuracy and operator safety.
Maintain the Power Unit: Keep the cooling fins on the power unit clean. Check and clean or replace hydraulic filters according to the manufacturer's schedule.
Even with great maintenance, problems can arise. Here’s how to identify and solve them quickly:
Issue: Hydraulic Hammer Overheating
Cause: Often due to prolonged, continuous use without breaks or insufficient lubrication creating excess friction.
Solution: Operate the breaker in cycles, not continuously for long periods. Ensure the tool is properly and frequently greased.
Issue: Rapid Chisel or Tool Wear
Cause: Improper operator technique (e.g., "blank firing"), poor alignment, or using the wrong tool for the material.
Solution: Ensure operators are properly trained. Replace the tool promptly when worn and always use the correct tool type for the rock.
Issue: Hydraulic Fluid Contamination
Cause: Dirt, dust, or water entering the system, often through worn seals or during maintenance.
Solution: Be meticulous about cleanliness when changing oil or components. Adhere strictly to the hydraulic filter replacement schedule.
Issue: Unexpected Shutdowns
Cause: Can be an electrical fault in the control system or a major hydraulic failure (like a blown hose).
Solution: Perform a thorough diagnostic check. If it's a major issue, it's best to call a certified technician.
1. How often should a rock breaker be lubricated?
Daily is a must. For heavy use, lubricate after every 2-3 hours of operation. More is better than less.
2. What type of grease should I use?
Use a high-performance, high-temperature grease with molybdenum (moly) or graphite, specifically designed for extreme pressure applications in rock breakers.
3. Can I perform all maintenance myself?
Daily checks and lubrication can and should be done by trained operators. However, for complex diagnostics, internal repairs, and periodic overhauls, we strongly recommend using a certified technician.
4. What is the typical lifespan of a YZH rock breaker?
With the proper maintenance outlined in this guide, a YZH rock breaker boom system is engineered to provide reliable service for over a decade, even in the most demanding environments.
In conclusion, maintaining your rock breaker system is one of the highest-return investments you can make. By following these practices, you will minimize downtime, lower your operational costs, and maximize the efficiency of your entire operation.
At YZH, we see ourselves as your partners in productivity. If you have questions about maintenance, need genuine parts for your pedestal boom system, or require professional service, don't hesitate.
Contact the YZH service team today. We're here to help you protect your investment and keep you breaking.
