Hydraulic equipment offers the best power-to-weight ratio of any system, according to Atlas Copco Construction Tools Inc., West Springfield, Mass. The company announced a new line of hand-held hydraulic tools today at World of Concrete in Las Vegas. The line includes breakers, cut-off saws, power packs, rock drills and more. The power packs have wheels and handles and are small enough to be stored on a shelf.
For the price of one compressor and breaker combination, according to the company, a contractor can get two complete hydraulic power pack and breaker systems. And the hydraulic equipment uses far less fuel.
Among the Atlas Copco introductions, nine models of hydraulic breaker spanning five different weight classes are available, providing an ideal solution for jobs in concrete, asphalt, frozen soil, mortar and brickwork.
The heaviest of the four standard breakers in the line is the 71-lb LH 39. Able to deliver 110 ft-lb of blow energy at an average impact rate of 1,275 blows per minute, the LH 39 is one of the world's most powerful hand-held breakers. Its power can provide a cost-efficient alternative to rig-mounted breakers for heavy-duty applications in reinforced concrete, heavy asphalt and foundations.
A more ergonomically advanced version of each model is available thanks to a patented four-spring handle that further reduces vibration levels, improves the breaker's durability and decreases operator fatigue. The LH 40 E, LH 28 E, LH 23 E and LH 19 E produce the same results as matching standard breaker models but reduce vibrations by up to 71%.