Epiroc celebrates 30 years of its solid body hydraulic breakers

Epiroc's Solid Body concept for hydraulic breakers is marking its 30th birthday on the market.
Breaking, Drilling & Blasting / August 17, 2023
By Liam McLoughlin
Epiroc says the lightweight design of the Solid Body range provides easier handling and lower fuel consumption than conventional hydraulic breakers
Epiroc says the lightweight design of the Solid Body range provides easier handling and lower fuel consumption than conventional hydraulic breakers

Sweden-based Epiroc says Solid Body is a popular and trusted range of tools in its broad portfolio of excavator attachments.

With the invention of the Solid Body (SB) concept, Epiroc adds that it pioneered a new kind of technology that changed the landscape forever, with the lightweight Solid Body design having various different benefits compared to conventional hydraulic breakers with impact mechanism and separate casing.

The Solid Body concept was introduced in 1993, and it utilises a patented internal component design that integrates the percussion mechanism and the guide system into a single piece. This eliminates the weakest components of conventional breakers and gives SB breakers their outstanding durability. SB hydraulic breakers are today a popular range of tools in Epiroc’s broad portfolio of hydraulic attachments.

Epiroc says that outstanding durability and reliability, easier handling and other benefits continue to make SB hydraulic breakers leaders in a competitive market. SB breakers lower the fuel consumption which supports reducing operational cost and at the same time improved CO2 emissions.

Due to maintenance-free high-pressure accumulators, SB breakers offer impressive blow frequencies from 550 up to 2.300 blows per minute. Fast penetration into the material results in high productivity of the breaker.

The Solid Body concept is slimmer compared to conventional hydraulic breakers of the same size, giving it a more compact design for better visibility and handling, allowing a smaller excavator, helping reduce carrier fuel consumption. Less parts means lesser maintenance requirements with enhanced reliability.

Epiroc says that Solid Body hydraulic breakers are a reliable choice for demolishing light concrete structures and asphalt pavements, both outdoors and indoors. They are suitable for performing earthworks, post driving, scaling in underground operations, cleaning ladles and converters in foundries, and other demanding tasks.

Solid Body breakers are manufactured in Epiroc's factory in Kalmar, Sweden. Designed for carriers in weight classes up to 24t, they are available in nine models with service weights ranging from 55 kg to 1,060 kg. The range includes models to match any micro or mini excavator, backhoe, skid steer loader or demolition robot. Their outstanding durability makes them a popular choice for rental companies who can, with confidence, rent them to less experienced end-users.

The need for dust suppression on jobsites is a daily requirement for a safe operation. SB 152-SB 1102 come with integrated water nozzles as an option. With these nozzles, located in the front of the hydraulic breaker, dust is suppressed where it is created. A clear view and lower dust level is the advantage for people working at or living next to jobsites.

Hydraulic breakers in the Solid Body series are designed to be easy to set up and service; no special tools or adaptor fittings are required. Changing the working tools is simple, thanks to the patented tool locking system, and the floating lower bushing can be replaced by the operator on-site with standard hand tools.

Integrated Epiroc Energy Recovery technology increases productivity and reduces fuel consumption. Overload protection is provided by an integrated pressure relief valve. Also available are AutoStart, an air inlet for underwater applications, and Epiroc ContiLube II micro or ContiLube II automatic lubrication systems are optional on certain models.

Connectivity 
Some locations become inaccessible due to a number of reasons – be it weather or distance. But to ensure the work is going smooth, there is a way to now monitor.

Hydraulic Attachment Tools Connectivity or HATCON enables an expert-level fleet management by monitoring operating hours, location and service intervals of the operator's tools.

The service is available across platforms – computer, tablet or phone, giving Epiroc's customers 24/7 data access, guiding them about the next service.

For more information on companies in this article
gradeEpiroc