Cutting edge: new cutting, breaking and sawing tools

Hilti hits

New additions to the Hilti drilling and cutting products of interest to rental companies include the new TE 3000-AVR electric breaker and the DSH 700 and DSH 900 petrol saws.

The TE 3000-AVR, which is the largest of the three model range launched over the last year, is described as providing "all the power of an air tool but without need for a compressor."

Weighing 29.9 kg and with a rated power of 2070 W, the TE 3000-AVR has a hammering power of 68 joules, making it suitable for heavy concrete demolition at floor level and breaking up asphalt in road building and pile laying jobs. Hilti says the tool will break up to 6 t of concrete an hour.

The AVR vibration reduction system keeps tri-axial vibration to 7 m/s2 allowing for up to four hours ‘trigger time' based on European Union regulations.

For applications like heavy demolition and rebar work on foundations, users should turn to the mid-range 14.2 kg TE 1500-AVR, says Hilti, while the smaller TE 1000-AVR - launched late in 2009 - is described as "a versatile all-rounder that's ideal for a variety of applications on floors and walls at below hip level."

The new DSH 700 and DHS 900 petrol saws offer "exceptionally fast cutting" in concrete, steel and various stones thanks to "pressure wave tuning" of the 2-stroke engine exhaust that allows the saws to develop "maximum power at low revs".

There are two versions of each model: the DSH 700 30 has a cutting depth of 100 mm and the DSH 700 34 a depth of 125 mm. The DSH 900 35 and 40 have cutting depths of 125 mm and 150 mm, respectively. The DHS 700 saws use 3.7 kW engines while the DSH 900 units have 4.5 power units.

Hand arm vibration figures vary from a low of 3.2 m/s2 on the DSH 700 30 up to 6.3 m/s2 on the DSH 900 35.

BOX STORY
Fleet management progress

Gerhard Gasser, recently appointed global rental manager at Hilti's drilling and demolition business unit, tells IRN that the company's is currently talking to rental companies in the UK and Poland about Hilti's fleet management (FM) offering.

The company is already operating FM contracts with big rental companies in Sweden and France.

Under the FM concept, Hilti offers a maintenance and repair contract over the typical 3 to 5 year lifetime of most tools; "FM attracts mainly large and mid-sized customers", says Mr Gasser, "as they own a larger number of power tools of different types.

"Hilti slightly adjusts the FM programme to local requirements if needed - for example, theft coverage is not applicable in some countries - but the core concept is the same across the world."

DeWalt
A new chain drive mechanism that reduces the number of parts, increases efficiency and helps reduce vibration is one of the new features on DEWALT's latest range of 6-7 kg, 40-45 mm hammers, the SDS Max Hammer range. DEWALT has also switched from grease to oil lubrication, which means less wear on parts and faster heat dissipation.

More powerful motors - output on the four hammers range from 500 to 615 kW - means more consistent drilling speeds (up to 415 rpm) and harder breaking energy (maximum 12 joules). DEWALT says it is also using its CTC (Complete Torque Control) system into a 45 mm hammer for the first time - CTC is a two-step clutch that defaults to the low setting (40Nm) every time the tool is unplugged. The operator can set it to 80 Nm for heavier applications.

Makita
Makita's range of AVT (Anti Vibration Technology) demolition hammers has been expanded with the introduction of a new 7 kg machine. The HM1111C AVT hammer provides 17.4 joules of impact energy with up to 2660 blows per minute available.

The unit, which is available as the non-AVT HM1101C model, is powered by a 1300 watt motor available in either 110v or 240v versions.

Other features include an SDS-MAX one-touch sliding chuck that allows up to twelve alternative steel positions, allowing a chisel steel to be fitted at the most convenient angle for operations. An LED power light is fitted as well as a service light that shows when brush replacement is required. The vibration rating is 9.2m/s2 with the forward D handle in operation and that reduces to 7.1m/s2 using the straight grip.

Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco latest generation of vibro-reduced handheld hydraulic breakers incorporate the same spring-mounted handle design used on the company's pneumatic breakers, reducing vibration and increasing operator comfort.

"On the spring-mounted handles we have improved the vibration characteristics by suspending the heavyweight handle in a dampened pivot pin, decreasing the vibration emissions," says Jan Byrresen, Atlas Copco's product line manager handheld hydraulic products.

The LH range comprises four models weighing from 23 to 37 kg - pictured is the mid-range LH 230 E weighing 26.5 kg - and with impact rates from 1100 blows per minute to 1950. They can be run from Atlas Copco's portable power packs or the hydraulic power take off of an excavator or backhoe loader.

New powercutters
from Husqvarna

Husqvarna demonstrated at Bauma that it was continuing to invest in new products, and we can expect more innovation in the coming 24 months from the Swedish company.

We have already reported on the DM 220 drill, but also this year the company has added two power cutters that will be of particular interest to rental companies.

The larger of the new models is the K 970, a 4.8 kW, 10-12 kg class saw that is a replacement for the K 960 model. The saw can take 300, 350 or 400 mm blades and Is described as being well suited "for cutting concrete and stone in reconstruction, renovation and new construction jobs, for cutting curbstones and pavers, pipe cutting in installation work, as well as asphalt and metal cutting."

The K 970It is equipped with Husqvarna's X-torq engine "that gives a higher output while reducing emissions by up to 75% and fuel consumption by 20%." Vibration levels on the front and rear handlers are up to 4.3 m/s2 and 4.8 m/s2, respectively.

The saw has Husqvarna's New Active Air Filtration system, one of the most efficient air filtration systems on the market. It also has a dust-sealed starter unit for greater reliability and a longer operating life.

The smaller of the two new cutters is the K 760, which is the next generation of the K 750, and is a very popular size cutter with rental companies in Europe, ideal for cutting concrete and stone in alterations, renovations and new construction and for cutting smaller holes and adjusting window and door openings.

Weighing 9.7 to 9.9 kg, depending on whether a 300 or 350 mm blade is used, the K 760 has a 3.7 kW X-Torq low emission engine.

Related versions of the K 760 include the K 760 Oilguard, which is designed to prevent engine damage resulting from an incorrect oil-fuel mix, and the K 760 Cut-n-Break. The Cut-n-Break replaces the K650 Cut-n-Break - Husqvarna's first such model - and employs a staged cutting method that allows cutting depths of up to 400 mm.

First, a 60 mm cut is made by two 230 mm blades; the remaining central core is removed using the accompanying breaking tool, and successive cuts are made to the maximum 400 mm depth.

The tool offers a lower cost way to make deep cuts in concrete and application areas include window, door, and ventilation openings where overcutting has to be avoided, and for making grooves for cabling.

Meanwhile, Husqvarna says that coming up soon will be a vacuum-equipped electric K 3000 Wet. This cutter can be used dry and wet, and the K 3000 Wet with Vac will give the user "the possibility of wet-cutting with a minimum of water, or to dry-cut with a minimum of dust created, with the same machine".

ICS
ICS has introduced a new diamond chain concrete saw, the 695GC, offering cutting depths of up to 40 cm and weighing only 9.4 kg. With a 4.8 kW petrol engine it has the power "to tackle the toughest concrete, stone, masonry, and even ductile iron pipe", says ICS, which is a division of Blount International Inc.

ICS says that "product enhancements dramatically improve the user experience by dampening vibration and sound without sacrificing power and performance." Vibration levels are 3.9/4.1 m/s2 (front/rear handle). The saw can also be fitted with ICS's FORCE4 diamond chain technology to create the 695F4 version to cut ductile iron, PVC, insituform, cast iron and HDPE pipe.

Hycon
Pictured is the still busy production facility of Hycon, the Danish hydraulic breaker and power pack manufacturer. Hycon's sales director, Ole Hejgendorf, tells IRN that the company has benefitted from increased sales outside of Europe following the financial downturn, and he says that the company's hydraulic power packs and breakers are proving a cost effective solution against pneumatic breakers powered by larger, costly compressors.

"Customers do accept that that there is a lower cost for hydraulics than with pneumatic", says Mr Hejgendorf. He says the company has aggressively targeted export markets since the slowdown, "Through the crisis we have focused on our core business, which I think any company should do. We did not cut down on sales and R&D, but decided to be proactive...you have to fight the problem by taking care of your business, focus and expand."

Sandvik
Sandvik's new Compact range of breakers are designed to be used with carriers in the 0.8 to 4.0 t sizes such as mini-excavators, skid-steers and other compact machines. Available in three sizes - BR111, BR222 and BR333 - the breakers have a lightweight design "to produce a cost effective hydraulic breaker that is designed to set new standards in low weight and high power breaker products", says Sandvik. The manufacturer says the breakers have no tie rods and comprise just two moving parts; "These are designed to minimize maintenance, together with owning and operating costs", says the company.

Stanley Hydraulic Tools
Stanley Hydraulic Tools says it is the world's "largest hydraulic tool manufacturer and worldwide market leader".

Among its range of 150 handheld hydraulic tools and 30 carrier mounted breakers, the company makes the BR range of handheld hydraulic breakers. The BR45 (pictured) is in the 15 - 30 kg class, designed for light to medium duty demolition in concrete or asphalt and on both floors and walls.

The BR67 line are medium duty units in the 30-40 kg class, and are for utility construction, street maintenance, repair of water and gas mains and general contracting. Stanley says they "can be powered from a wide range of Stanley hydraulic power units that are less than one third the weight, size, and cost of a comparable air compressor".

Wacker Neuson
Wacker says its new EH 25 electric breaker - seen first at Bauma earlier this year -
Has been developed for intensive use over long periods of time. The breaker's hand-arm-vibration value is below 5 m/s2, meaning, says Wacker, that "the device can be deployed for an entire eight-hour working day by the same operator." The EH 25 uses the same hood spring mounting concept as used on existing Wacker breakers such as the BH 24.

Stone Construction
Stone Construction Equipment's Saw Devil range of concrete and pavement saws are designed for concrete and asphalt flat sawing of depths up to20 cm. The line comprises two manual models, the CS1 and CS2, and one self-propelled, the pictured CSP3. Features include right/left cut versatility; dual spray water system; vibration reducing steel box frame construction; and adjustable handles with padded handgrips.

EDT Eurodima
EDT Eurodima's braxx concrete sawing tools can now be operated remotely using a wireless control box. The wireless control system is also available for the older BC braxx models, which require a simple software update. Eurodima says that in addition to the benefits of working remotely, the system provides the user with a vibration alarm at the remote control.