Construction tools to break concrete

Diamond wire saws are more efficient than circular saws, able to cut concrete of almost any thickness. This makes them very useful for the kind of heavy demolition found in bridges, damns and thick concrete structures. In addition, they create little dust, noise and vibration, making them ideal for demolition work within inhabited structures. The real force behind the diamond wire saw is the diamond wire itself a steel carrier cable threaded through steel beads to which diamond is bonded.

There are three basic wire types:. There are also two main bonding systems for the diamond beads: electroplated and impregnated. Electroplating the wire involves attaching a single layer of diamond to the steel bead. The impregnated bonding system is more similar to the impregnated systems on a circular saw in which a powder metal alloy is blended with diamond, then pressed and sintered to the steel band, providing multiple layers of diamond for cutting.

Hydraulic concrete crushers are used to demolish concrete methodically and efficiently. Also called smashers, densifiers, processors, secondary crushers, and pulverizers, concrete crushers are used to reduce concrete into smaller easily manageable or recyclable pieces, as well as to separate steel reinforcement from concrete. Interchangeable jaws in some crushers, including cracking jaws, shear jaws and pulverizing jaws, are often used to work along with various types and configurations of jaw teeth in order to better fit the crusher to a particular job.

Secondary concrete crushers usually have some type of pulverizing jaws and are used on jobs where primary demolition is accomplished by hammers, crushers, blasting, ball and crane, or sawing.

In this instance, the primary demolition work creates large quantities of concrete rubble which the secondary crusher further reduces, separating concrete from reinforcement.

Hydraulic splitters apply lateral forces against the inside of holes drilled into concrete in order to break up concrete with a minimum of noise and flying debris. About the size of a jackhammer, the tool utilizes a shaft known as a plug-and-feather assembly which, when inserted into a drilled hole and forced downward by the tools piston, creates the lateral forces that break the concrete.

No heavy impact is utilized to form the crack, which spreads quickly and without any noise between the pre-drilled holes until the concrete is split into manageable pieces. The typical hydraulic splitter exerts a force between about and tons, depending on make and model.

As with most pieces of equipment of this type, the smaller models with a force capacity on the lower end of the scale are used for more lightweight work, or where the equipment must be able to be handled more easily, such as in horizontal or overhead work. Larger capacity models are capable of splitting mass concrete and hard rock. Hydraulic splitters may be available in gas- and electrically-powered models, but most contractors prefer air-powered hydraulic pumps, as the tools air-compressor can also be used to power the drills used to form the holes in the concrete.

Multiple hydraulic splitters can be set up to run side-by-side off the same hydraulic pump, allowing for a greater combined splitting force, helpful when breaking up particularly thick or dense concrete.

To correctly operate a splitter, the holes must be drilled straight into the concrete at the exact diameter specified for the splitter, and be deep enough to accommodate the plug when fully extended. The plug and feathers have to be kept well lubricated in order to remain in working condition. Hand-held pavement breakers may be thought of as a kind of heavy-duty version of the chipping hammer.

The difference is that pavement breakers are heavier, more powerful tools that are usually operated perpendicular to the ground. Because of this, a T-shaped handle is the most common design for pavement breakers. A few lightweight breakers are designed with a D-shaped handle that allows the operator to pick the breaker up and operate it horizontally. For larger projects, you may consider a dumpster rental. Alternatively, a local mason or landscaper may be able to cart the concrete and recycle it— or even possibly use it on a project where fill is required.

Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

By Mark Clement. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. And wear protective gear when using digging equipment. Rentable electric units will likely knock out that run-down sidewalk at the end of the driveway or small patio.

Concrete weight and removal. Concrete chunks become actual tons quickly. Sledgehammers vary according to head weight and handle length. Sledgehammer head weights range from around 6 pounds to more than 15 pounds. Sledgehammer handles generally range from 3 feet to 5 feet. Sledge tools with handles less than 3 feet long are often called mini-sledgehammers. Familiar in popular culture as a powerful pounding tool, the jackhammer can be equipped with various chisel-like tips.

Jackhammers are heavy and capable of breaking not only concrete, but also thick soil and natural stone. Hydraulic or pneumatic force commonly supplies the force required to reciprocate the tool's chisel-like attachment.

Its anti-vibration feature helps prevent long-term pain in your hands from continuous oscillations. It is light-weight but powerful and easy to transport from one area to the next. A jackhammer is an ideal power tool used for concrete demolitions, and four subcategories of jackhammers exist, including rotary, demolition, combination and breaker options. Each specializes in a particular task for various applications. Many workers in the construction industry refer to hammer drills as a general term for any product that digs into the concrete.

However, there is a distinction between rotary and hammer options. A rotary drill has an electro-pneumatic piston that produces high-impact energy to demolish concrete for any application. It can have a hammer-only mode for cracking concrete and can withstand tough conditions. Many rotary hammer drills have SDS-plus and max bit systems. You also have the option of a combination hammer that uses hard-hitting electro-pneumatics to deliver impact. The tool has rotary and hammer-only modes to form large holes or to hammer through tough concrete.

A combination tool can have SDS-plus or max bit holdings or spline bits. Demolition hammers are the best bet when you want to demolish concrete. Instead, it focuses on chipping, breaking and chiseling away at the material. A demo hammer is great for projects of different sizes and applications like breaking up concrete stairs, slabs, patios, sidewalks and more. Finally, breaker hammers provide the most significant hits when it comes to breaking apart concrete.

They can pull apart slabs of concrete but are only ideal for flat surfaces. They give you better control when precision is vital. One of the key things to remember is how you orient the tip of the hammer. Point the tool down at an angle to chip away at the concrete. If you point the tip of the tool straight down, it will hit the same spot, creating a hole instead of breaking apart the material.

Choosing the right tool for the job can be overwhelming, but when you have the right information and trust the experts for advice, you will feel prepared and ready to tackle the job. Depending on what you're trying to accomplish, different tools deliver different modes of operation.

Rotary hammers are ideal for forming holes, while other power tools help you break up concrete by allowing you to switch between rotation and hammer functions. Make sure to move your jackhammer back about a few inches after forming each crack while someone else pries out the rubble. There are also various interface systems you can work with on your jackhammer tool.

Different types of bits will better serve situations where you want to demolish concrete as opposed to puncturing a hole — for example:. Construction Fasteners and Tools has the right concrete demolition equipment and tools for professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

We take care of our customers by ensuring you receive superior solutions for each project.