Atlas Copco’s Amanda Roets says features such as low noise and vibration levels enhance operator safety and comfort.

One of Atlas Copco Construction Technique’s mining customers recently ordered two HB 10 000 10t hydraulic breakers to increase productivity at their Northern Cape open-cast mining operation. According Atlas Copco Construction Technique area sales manager, Amanda Roets, the efficiency, performance and reliability of these heavy hydraulic breakers contribute to increased productivity and improved production on the mine. “In addition, features such as low noise and vibration levels which enhance operator safety and comfort, along with the fact that they have a low impact on the environment, played a fundamental role in the mine’s decision to order the two ten tonners,” states Roets. With these two heavy weights which are the first 10t hydraulic breakers Atlas Copco has supplied in South Africa, a total of nine hydraulic breakers are currently operating at the iron-ore mine.

The 10t breakers’ larger tool diameter creates a bigger footprint and the units have a larger handling capacity and deliver a more powerful hit rate, meeting the mine’s requirement for improved productivity.

The HB range has an operating pressure of between 160 and 180 and a maximum hydraulic input power of 159 kW. “Our HB range features an automatic start/stop function for convenience and safety,” explains Roets. The Breakers have an EnergyRecovery system automatically utilising the piston recoil energy to increase the performance without additional hydraulic input and to lower vibrations making the job easier and more efficient. The hydraulic breakers are suitable for a wide range of carriers including wheeled and crawler excavators; 120 ton excavators are recommended for the HB 10 000.