How contractors can boost productivity by choosing the right excavator demolition attachment.

Sometimes, making the right choice is the differentiator between average and extraordinary. This can be said of many things: hiring an employee, buying a new car, ordering dinner at a restaurant—the list goes on. The same sentiment can also be said of choosing the right equipment for a demolition job. Many demolition attachments may work OK for a particular application, but selecting the perfect attachment for the task at hand has the potential to help contractors finish a project more efficiently and effectively than they otherwise could.

With hundreds of sizes and styles of demolition attachments on the market ranging from small grapples to massive pulverizers, contractors can’t expect to blindly pick an option, attach it to an excavator and get top production. Rather, today’s demolition professionals should refine their demolition attachment selection process in order to knock out jobs faster and easier. Considering the application, the carrier, the return on investment and other variables can help contractors better find the right tool for the job in question.

Before selecting a tool, it is important to first consider the type of work the attachment will perform. From primary to secondary demolition and from rebar-enforced concrete to wood and brick, the application should be the first factor to guide an attachment choice.

When starting to demolish a structure, multi-quick processors, shears, crushers, pulverizers and demolition grapples tend to be the top picks for primary demolition. The choice between them depends on the type of material being targeted and how it needs to be broken up.

Crusher and pulverizer attachments, for example, best tackle jobs made up of mostly concrete. Choose a crusher if the structure is composed of concrete with little or no rebar and if it’s necessary to break the concrete into chunks large enough for easy sorting and recycling. A pulverizer attachment better handles concrete that’s heavily reinforced with rebar. Unlike the crusher attachment, the pulverizer will break the concrete into small pieces and cut through the embedded rebar, allowing the concrete to fall to the ground rather than hang onto the metal reinforcements.

Pulverizers also can be used to break concrete into manageable sizes during secondary demolition. If the demolition involves both crushing concrete and cutting steel, contractors should consider combi-crushers that incorporate both cutting edges and teeth.

If concrete isn’t part of the demolition picture but steel is, a demolition processor with shear jaws or a mobile shear attachment will work best since they’re able to cut through steel better than a tool meant for multiple types of material.

When working jobs with light materials (such as wood and brick, which are commonly found in residential demolition applications), use a demolition grapple. Besides breaking apart materials, rotating grapples work well for sorting during secondary demolition and increase versatility and productivity by allowing a wide range of movement.

For versatility across different demolition jobs, a multi-quick processor often fits best. The attachment’s interchangeable jaws can handle a multitude of materials. The jaw types found on multi-quick processors include crushers, pulverizers, a combination of both and steel-cutters. Some manufacturers offer additional specialty options, such as jaws for cutting through timber for forest industry applications; jaws for cutting steel tanks, pipes and vessels; and highly powerful jaws for heavily reinforced concrete.

While multi-quick processors may cost more than other attachments (approximately 15 to 20 percent more than crushers, for example), they more than make up for that difference in price with their versatility afforded by their interchangeable jaw sets.

After determining the best type of attachment for the job, contractors should consider the technology powering the tool. Cylinders power demolition attachments, and typically, the larger the cylinder, the more powerful the tool. Because of this, contractors seeking more demolition power in the past had to buy or rent a larger excavator to handle the larger attachment. That’s no longer the case.

As manufacturers incorporate more technology into the attachments they build, some are able to achieve as much as 25 percent more power without increasing the cylinder size. To pull this off, manufacturers build additional chambers into the cylinder to allow for as much as 20 percent more surface area. Often, this results in an attachment with the same power as a tool two sizes larger. This means that a section of concrete that may take a competitive crusher attachment five or six “bites” to break through only takes the tool with the enhanced cylinder technology one or two.

This advancement in technology gives contractors access to amplified crushing and cutting forces they previously couldn’t have achieved without the expense of investing in a larger tool, as well as a bigger carrier to operate that tool. In addition to the cost of the tool itself, larger carriers also come with higher operating costs. The high power-to-weight ratio made possible by more efficient tools—higher on attachments with this technology than any other tool in its size class—also opens the door to more efficient high-reach demolition. This is both because contractors can use smaller carriers and because the attachment’s lightweight and superior cylinder technology improves tool performance and fuel efficiency.

Some attachments with innovative cylinder technology reduce carrier fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to other models. In some cases, the attachment’s efficient design allows it to function normally when the carrier is set in economy mode, achieving the same performance as competitive attachments on an excavator running at full throttle.

In addition, this advanced cylinder technology allows manufacturers to better design high-performing attachments. When combined with double-acting speed valves, the advanced attachment designs not only offer improved power and efficiency, but also improved productivity. Together, the enhanced cylinder design and double-acting speed valves deliver faster cycle times—from 3.8 seconds to 5 seconds on bigger tools—and as much as 20 percent more power than conventional cylinders.

Of course, the best attachment in the world still needs a suitable carrier to perform well. Contractors should be sure to match the attachment to the appropriate carrier size and weight. Heavier attachments, naturally, require larger, heavier carriers that cost more to operate. Using too heavy of an attachment can cause excessive wear to the excavator and will affect performance. In addition, tools that are too heavy for a machine present a safety risk for other workers near the carrier. Conversely, an attachment that is too small reduces productivity.

Professionals should also ensure the carrier has enough hydraulic capacity to feed the attachment when considering the right tool for the job. Inadequate flow or hydraulic pressure will slow the tool’s cycle times, reducing productivity. Too little pressure also results in less closing force or torque, depending on the attachment.

Another item to check is the attachment’s hydraulic circuit requirements. Is the excavator equipped with enough auxiliary hydraulic circuits for the attachment? For example, rotation shears and multi-quick processors require two double-acting hydraulic circuits—one circuit for opening and closing the jaw and one for 360-degree rotation. Attachments that don’t rotate, such as static pulverizers or shears, only require one double-acting circuit.

When determining the attachment best suited for the application and power rating, look for a product that is durable and easy to service. Some attachments may seem like a great investment at first but end up resulting in a nightmare of downtime and repair costs when put into operation.

One method for choosing a low-maintenance attachment is to find a tool with no (or very few) protruding parts, such as hydraulic hoses. These can be easily damaged during operation, particularly in harsh demolition environments. Instead, contractors should look for attachments that have components that are enclosed within the tool, yet are still easy to access through service openings.

Contractors will also be wise to keep wear part service life in mind when choosing a tool. For example, shear and crushing attachments’ cutting edges and teeth need to be replaced when worn. While exchangeable cutting edges are an industry standard, it’s still smart to ensure they are available.

When considering multi-quick processors, operators should pay attention to how quickly jaws can be switched out. Some manufacturers build multi-quick processors with jaws that operators can change within minutes on-site, compared to the hours needed to bring many other attachments back to the shop to exchange. Workers may only need to manually remove one pin from quick-exchange models during change-outs, compared to the three pins that need to be removed from many other manufacturers’ processors. The rest of the jaw exchange process is done hydraulically from the safety of the cab. This system not only removes the hassle of pounding out two or three pins, but also virtually eliminates the danger of the jaw falling and injuring a worker after the last pin is removed.

With most jobs, the best tool depends on the situation. Seasoned buyers and industry newbies alike can benefit from taking a careful look at their options and requirements while searching for a new attachment. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to get advice from the dealer and manufacturer.

Picking the best pairing of tool and carrier goes beyond the application and the power that can be achieved. Contractors should examine every aspect of the attachment and the subsequent carrier to form a pair that will boost productivity and ROI and, potentially, open up opportunities to work in new applications. While making a wise equipment choice might take a little foresight, selecting the right tools for the job can help demolition professionals take their job site performance to new heights.

Francois Martin is the general manager of Kinshofer North America. He can be contacted at f.martin@kinshofer.com.

The Stealth™ 500, specifically configured to help cost-conscious businesses enter the aggregate industry for an unexpectedly low initial investment price, also allows existing producers to economically add to their fleets.

The Stealth™ 500, specifically configured to help cost-conscious businesses enter the aggregate industry for an unexpectedly low initial investment price, also allows existing producers to economically add to their fleets. This all-electric plant provides high production crushing and screening on one chassis. Designed for smaller jobs requiring cubicle spec products from a highly portable crushing and screening plant, its two-deck inclined screen produces two cubical products, while top-deck retained material is returned to the crusher for further processing. Unique, two-step, 5-foot grizzly deck allows material passing through the grizzly deck to be blended back with crushed material, minimizing crusher wear.

Optimism spreads within a company like Crush-It Inc. of Osprey, Florida, when the president and other officers view industry changes as opportunities for growth.

Optimism spreads within a company like Crush-It Inc. of Osprey, Florida, when the president and other officers view industry changes as opportunities for growth. In the life cycle that Crush-It has experienced over the past 12 years, Dave Richardson has navigated the ups and downs of the construction marketplace by growing his recycling company and his team. The growth has come with new employees that he hires for the purpose of growing them up through the ranks.

Training is part of the program at Crush-It because the company builds safety into its culture from the moment an employee joins the team. Richardson explains that the simplest part of training is to hire laborers and train them up.

"Almost all of our foremen were laborers once," he says. "We go over safety, pinch points, PPE (personal protective equipment). They work on the ground. Later on, which can be 12 to 15 months, they can get on the crusher. Then they can get on the loader."

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data recently published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Year-over-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 3.1 percent, while average growth for 2018 was 2.9 percent.

“Today’s GDP report confirms continued strong investment in nonresidential structures in America,” says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Construction spending data show significant expenditures on the construction of data centers, hotel rooms, theme parks and fulfillment centers. Accordingly, investment in nonresidential structures expanded to a 6.2 percent annualized rate during the final quarter of 2018. Metrics such as the Architectural Billings Index indicate that investment in structures will remain robust during the early months of 2019 and likely beyond.  

“Undoubtedly, some attention will be given to the fact that the U.S. economy expanded by just shy of 3 percent in 2018,” Basu says. “Unless that figure is revised upward in subsequent releases, it will mean that America has failed to reach the 3-percent annual threshold since 2005. But while much attention will be given to a perceived shortfall in growth, the fourth quarter figure of 2.6 percent signifies that the U.S. economy entered this year with substantial momentum. Were it not for a weak residential construction sector, 3 percent growth would have been attained. Moreover, the data indicate strength in disposable income growth and in business investment.

“It is quite likely that the U.S. economy will expand at around 2 percent this year,” Basu says. “Though interest rates remain low and hiring is still brisk, a number of leading indicators suggest that the nation’s economy will soften somewhat during the quarters ahead, which can be partly attributed to a weakening global economy. This won’t unduly impact nonresidential construction activity, however, since the pace of activity in this segment tends to lag the overall economy, and strong nonresidential construction spending is expected in 2019. Finally, ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator continues to reflect strong demand for contractors, which have nearly nine months of work lined up.”

The photo slideshow showcases the demolition of the old Tappan Zee Bridge's east anchor span.

Removing the old Tappan Zee Bridge's main span has required several large-scale operations since 2018 with additional work scheduled this year, according to the new NY bridge website. 

More than 7,000 people have worked on the project so far and Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has utilized more than 847 New York companies to help build the new twin-span Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge.

January, TZC lowered section 3 of the bridge using explosive charges. The 6,500-ton section of steel is being removed from the water piece by piece. Watch the photo slideshow below to see each step of the demolition.