Two 10t hydraulic breakers set to increase production

Swedish industrial tool and equipment manufacturer Atlas Copco Construction Technique has supplied two HB 10000 10 t hydraulic breakers to a Northern Cape mine in an effort to increase production of iron-ore at the opencast operation.

The mine has been an important client of Atlas Copco and various models of the manufacturer’s hydraulic breakers have been implemented at the site over the past 15 years. Impressed with the high performance of five HB 7000 7 t hydraulic breakers that have been in operation for over a decade, the mine ordered two HB 5800 5 t hydraulic breakers to meet its surface mining applications, including rock breaking and blasting, as well as secondary breaking and crushing of rocks before the material moves into feeders.

Atlas Copco sales manager Amanda Roets states that the performance and reliability of the hydraulic breakers are unmatched and contribute to higher levels of mine productivity.

Roets believes that the low noise and vibration levels, which make the equipment easier to use, along with the minimal environmental impact of the units, have led to the mine’s procurement of the new 10 t breakers. The HB 10000 breakers are the first of their kind to be supplied in South Africa. The purchase of the new equipment brings the number of Atlas Copco breakers being used at the Northern Cape site to nine.

The 10 t breakers are said to have a larger tool diameter and a larger handling capacity and produce a more powerful hit rate. The breakers have an operating pressure of between 160 Pa and 180 Pa and a maximum hydraulic input power of 159 kW.

Other features of the HB 10000 hydraulic breakers include an automatic stop/start function, which makes the equipment safer and easier to use. Also, the breakers include a new energy recovery system, which uses piston recoil energy and allows for greater performance without the need for additional hydraulic input.

According to Atlas Copco, the new HB 10000 hydraulic breakers are compatible with various forms of carriers, although, of the 10 t breakers, 120 t excavators are recommended.

The industrial equipment provider has ensured consumers that the new equipment conforms to the provisions of the 2006/42/EC (machinery directive), as well as the 2000/14/EC (noise directive).

Atlas Copco first produced the hydraulic breaker over 50 years ago and has been improving and refining its product since. The new HB 10000 breakers are set to deliver on the Atlas Copco brand promise of sustainable productivity.