Jackhammers are tool used for demolition work to break up materials like concrete. You use jackhammers for various reasons such as when you have to break up a concrete driveway, when you have to trench for utility, or when you have to take down an old foundation. By using jackhammers you are able to turn the hardest materials into manageable chunks of material.
The correct jackhammer for the job will allow the job to be completed on time, but using the wrong jackhammer will make the job take longer due to fatigue and lack of efficiency in using the jackhammer. Various design of jackhammers have been produced to meet specific needs and demands of certain jobs. Some manufacturers make jackhammers for breaking up materials that are relatively light and require minimal strength to break them up while others are made for more demanding and strenuous jobs.
Understanding the various types of jackhammers will allow you to properly match the power of the jackhammer to the demands of the job you will be performing with it. Otherwise, you may buy a tool that will not complete the job proper or strain your body while performing the job. This paper will describe the differences between each type of jackhammer.
There are four different types of jackhammers including pneumatic, electric, gas-powered, hydraulic, and rotary hammer drills. Each type have specific characteristics that allow it to be used in certain jobs while eliminating its use in other jobs.
Different Types of Jackhammers to Use
1. Pneumatic Jackhammers
Pneumatic jackhammers are some of the most common types of jackhammers used on construction sites that have large amount of the material that must be broken down.
Pneumatic jackhammers require a portable compressor or a compressor that is mounted on a truck to supply compressed air to the tool through a hose. The compressed air that is supplied to the pneumatic jackhammer causes the piston to slam into the chisel that is mounted on the tool at high speed. Pneumatic jackhammers can deliver thousands of blows per minute.
Some of the benefits of using pneumatic jackhammers is that they have raw power to break down even the most stubborn materials and they dont have to worry about fuel mixing or charging the batteries that power the tool. A 30-pound pneumatic jackhammer can break through six inches of reinforced concrete. Pneumatic jackhammers are also popular among crews because a single compressor can power multiple pneumatic jackhammers at the same time.
The drawbacks to pneumatic jackhammers include their low mobility. The pneumatic jackhammer must be supplied with compressed air through a hose so they is limited to locations where compressed air can be supplied. Additionally, the pneumatic jackhammer tools can be heavy and difficult to move when dragging the hose behind the worker.
However, pneumatic jackhammers are perfect for stationary jobs because they will not fail on the job and will always have the power that they need.
2. Electric Jackhammers
Electric jackhammers are convenient for jobs that are located indoors or for jobs that are small in size and located outdoors. You can plug electric jackhammers into a standard electrical outlet or a generator can power them to eliminate the need for an air compressor.
Most electric jackhammers in the 15 to 30 pound range use an electromagnetic coil or a crank-and-rod system for the piston of the tool. Electric jackhammers are common among homeowners that are performing renovations in their basements or contractors that are removing tile or thin layer of concrete. The quieter operation of electric jackhammers is beneficial for these jobs because they will not disturb others in the home or in the office.
Additionally, most electric jackhammers also include vibration-dampening handles that will reduce the effect that vibration has on the hands and arms of the worker after working for a few hours. One of the downsides to electric jackhammers is that they do not contain as much power as pneumatic jackhammers. Electric jackhammers will struggle to break down thick and reinforced concrete.
Additionally, electric jackhammers may burn out the motor with prolonged use on thick material. However, for jobs that are less than four inches in thickness, electric jackhammers are a better tool for the job.
3. Gas Powered Jackhammers
Gas-powered jackhammers allow the workers to go into remote locations for the work without the need for electricity or air lines to the work site.
Gas-powered jackhammars have a small engine that is mounted on the tool and they weigh between 35 and 90 pounds. These tools have an engine that starts up and the engine drive the piston that is attached to the tool. Road crews use these types of jackhammers to break up sidewalks that are in remote locations and that are too far from the electricity and air lines that would be required for electric and pneumatic jackhammers.
Additionally, the weight of the gas-powered jackhammer helps to allow the tool to push the chisel downwards without the worker fight the tool. Some models of gas-powered jackhammers also have anti-vibration technology that allows the worker to spend a full day using the tool without developing strains in their body. Gas-powered jackhammers must be filled with gas and lubricant and the workers must maintain the engine in good working order.
Additionally, gas emission may be an issue in indoor locations. Furthermore, the worker must become skilled in how to start the tool while the worker is holding the tool while the engine is idling because if it is not started properly the worker may find it awkward to start the engine while holding the heavy tool. However, once the tool is running, it provides the worker with the power and the freedom to move to wherever they want in the job site.
4. Hydraulic Jackhammers
Hydraulic jackhammers are attached to machines such as excavators, skid steers, or other heavy equipment. The advantage of using this type of jackhammer is that the machine will supply the hydraulic fluid to the tool so that the worker does not have to carry the tool. Additionally, hydraulic jackhammers can be of varying sizes such as small 250-pound jackhammers for mini-excavators and large jackhammers that weigh several ton for breaking bedrock.
Using a hydraulic breaker mounted on a machine like an excavator allows the worker to break down material that would take a crew of workers several days to complete with handheld jackhammers. Additionally, since the worker does not have to use the jackhammer tool, the physical strain and injuries that may occur from using the jackhammer can be eliminated. However, using a hydraulic jackhammer requires purchasing the machine that will hold the jackhammer and hiring someone to operate the machine.
Using a hydraulic jackhammer does not make sense for a one-time residential job. However, for commercial or road construction projects that require the power of a hydraulic jackhammer the cost of hiring the operator and purchasing the machine will pay for itself.
5. Rotary Jackhammer Drills
Rotary jackhammer drills are lighter version of jackhammers that are also useful in certain jobs.
Rotary jackhammer drills have the power to perform drilling and chisel jobs with the tool. Most rotary jackhammars weigh less than 15 pounds. Additionally, they use SDS-Plus or SDS-Max bits to drill into the material.
Electricians, plumbers, and general contractors use these types of jackhammers because they have the dual mode setting to switch between drilling and chiseling without having to use two separate tools. Additionally, rotary jackhammers do not have the strength required to break up large slabs of concrete. However, they are small enough for use in tight space.
Recently, battery-powered rotary jackhammars have become available. A 60-volt cordless rotary jackhammer has enough power to last through the morning’s work before the battery has to be recharged. For jobs that require a worker to move from location to location the freedom from cords or hoses will improve efficiency in the work site.
You should pick pneumatic jackhammers if you require maximum power and reliability in breaking up large amounts of poured concrete. For jobs that are quieter and less strenuous you could select an electric jackhammer that would be better for indoor jobs or for less than four inches of reinforced concrete. Use a gas-powered jackhammer for remote jobs where the worker has the freedom from cords.
When the job requires a lot of strength and heavy equipment a hydraulic breaker mounted on a machine will be best. For jobs that require only drilling or chiseling a rotary jackhammer will be the best. Each type of jackhammer has its use but each comes with its downsides.
You should not buy a pneumatic jackhammer just because it is the strongest and most powerful jackhammer available. You have to consider the thickness of the material, the type of reinforcement for the material, and the specific requirements of the job when you choose what type of jackhammer to purchase. If you choose the correct jackhammer for the job the work will be done at a faster rate, your body will not be injured during the work, and the job will turn out better than if you use any other type of jackhammer.
Many people use the wrong type of jackhammer for the job after they have performed a few jobs incorrectly. However, if you choose the correct jackhammer for the job the jackhammer will work for you instead of against you.
