Johannesburg-based bulk materials handling and minerals processing specialist Osborn aims to improve market penetration with the BX and BXR hydraulic rock breaker range, having identified significant opportunities in the construction industry.

Osborn sells and markets the range in South Africa on behalf of Canada-based sister company BTI and intends to build on the success the robust range has enjoyed in the mining industry for more than a decade.

“The next step in our strategy for these exceptional machines is to capitalise on opportunities in the construction and demolition markets, where there is potential for high-quality hydraulic rock breakers,” says Osborn product sales manager Casper Booyse.

“Since 2001, Osborn has supplied hydraulic rock breakers from BTI – which is also a member of the Astec Industries Group of companies – into the African mining, construction and aggregates industries. BTI’s business has grown substantially in Africa and demand in underground and other mining applications is continuing to grow,” he highlights.

For construction and demolition applications, Booyse says, the BTI breaker can be fitted as an attachment onto a suitable hydraulic carrier, which includes excavators and mini excavators, tractor-loader-backhoes, skid steers and loaders. There are two ranges of BTI breakers, each offering different energy ratings and designed for use on different size carriers. The BX hydraulic breaker series includes eight models, which range from an energy rating of 550 J for the BX4 to 5 400 J for the BX40. They can be fitted onto smaller equipment – carriers range up to 20 t.

The larger BXR Series includes six models, which range from an energy class of 6 800 J for the BXR50 to 21 500 J for the BXR160. This series is suitable for 20 t to 100 t carriers.

The machines boast a host of features that enhance speed and efficiency for construc- tion site applications such as foundations, trenching and demolition.

The BTI hydraulic breakers have a narrow nose design, which enhances visibility and enables minimal over-breaking in trenching applications. “The oversized, full length, oval retainer pins on the BX10 to BXR160 models have excellent resistance to blank fires and expansive load transfer area to front head. The large tool diameters deliver longer life and superior transmission of impact energy,” adds Booyse.

All the BTI hydraulic breakers feature a high-strength alloy plate steel construction with abrasion-resistant plating which allows for continuous duty in harsh environments, while the noise dampening material used throughout the breaker eliminates metal-to-metal contact, reducing wear and noise.

Every BTI breaker is also fitted with top and bottom isolators to absorb recoil energy. The cryogenically enhanced heat-treated alloy pistons and precise tolerances deliver high breaker efficiencies, while the short-length, large-diameter tie rods with integral vibration dampeners provide an exceptionally strong structure, says Osborn.

The remote air breather is positioned above the main control valve on the BX10 to BXR160 models and Booyse explains that this provides easy access and clean air intake and a connection for underwater operation, when required.

These models are also equipped with a remote grease line connection and hydraulic porting on the power cells, allowing easy accessibility for use with carrier- or breaker-mounted greasing systems.

Looking specifically at the BX Series, Booyse notes that all models (BX8 to BX40) have a breaker-mounted manual high/low stroke selector, which improves production capability, with the long-stroke piston design providing high levels of constant blow energy.

The pressure-balanced piston improves blows per minute and blow energy, while the antiblank fire on/off selector on the BX8 to BX40 models alternates modes when operating in varying rock conditions.

On the BX6 and larger models, BTI offers optional sound dampening to further reduce noise levels, which is especially pertinent in high-density population areas.

The BXR Series models are equipped with a two-speed hydraulic pilot power control, which controls blow energy in varying material conditions.

The BRX oil regeneration system increases the blows per minute without decreasing energy in harder material applications and the high-volume nitrogen-charged accumulator provides constant blow energy and recoil absorption.

The button-nose piston design increases energy transfer to the tool and the antiblank fire interlock protects front head and retainer pins.

The BXR Series uses recoil sensing technology with operator-actuated two-speed control and an oversized piston. “This combination increases blow energy and blows per minute under varying rock conditions. For example, in hard-rock conditions, blows per minute are increased, providing up to 80% operating efficiency, compared with the 50% efficiency of a conventional breaker. This translates into maximum production and minimal costs,” Booyse stresses.

Local customers that buy BTI equipment through Osborn have peace of mind knowing that it comes with Osborn’s 24/7 after-sales service, backup and spares, he notes.

“As BTI’s official sub-Saharan Africa distributor, we have engineers dedicated to the BTI range. They will assemble and commission a customer’s machine and offer operator training, service and backup. We also hold spares to reduce downtime and ensure that our customers are back in business as quickly as possible. In addition, Osborn engineers are able to undertake on-site repairs,” he concludes.