Compact Equipment Feature Story One

Bent on Destruction
Compact Utility Loaders Excel at the Dirty Work of Demolition

By Mike Lumbers

t Whether you’re tearing down a building or tearing up a street, demolition work of any kind can also tear up your equipment if you’re not careful. Dust, falling debris, jagged scraps of metal, broken glass, nails and screws, chunks of concrete — all of the byproducts of demolition can take their toll on tires, tracks, engines and hydraulic systems.

This is true for both heavy-duty bulldozers and compact utility loaders (CULs) alike. The latter machines are being used more and more often these days for demolition,
particularly for indoor demolition, e.g., tearing out one floor of an office building for remodeling. Many CULs can be maneuvered in and out of elevators — platform and walk-behind CULs range from 35.5 to 48 in. wide — and shave hours off the time it takes to perform many demolition tasks by hand.

Because of their size, CULs would appear to be more susceptible to damage than the monster machines that traditionally perform demolition. But, you would be surprised by how durable and efficient these mighty mites can be when you equip them with the proper attachments and components for the job.

Choose Heavy-Duty Every Time
You’re a tough guy, but you wouldn’t go into a dangerous work environment without steel-toed boots, a hardhat, safety goggles and leather gloves. Likewise, even though your equipment is made mostly of iron, it pays to reinforce it with the toughest attachments and tracks or tires that you can find. It’s worth the extra cost to try to prevent on-the-job breakdowns, which are often more costly than the expense of upgrading your equipment.

Tires vs. Tracks
If you have a choice between a CUL with tires or tracks, choose tracks when it comes to demolition work. Tracks are going to hold up better on a demolition site. Rubber tracks will give your machine better stability during operation too and the longer the tracks, the better. If you go with rubber tracks, choose an aggressive type — i.e., a thicker track with a deeper tread, which is going to give you better traction when you’re navigating your machine through metal and concrete.

If your CUL has rubber tires, there are a few ways to guard against puncture. First, choose a tire with the thickest, deepest tread that meets your machine’s specifications. Second, use a “tire fill,” a type of synthetic material that can be injected in the tire instead of air, which protects the tire from deep punctures. Third, in lieu of tire fill, use an over-the-tire track system that essentially converts your wheeled unit into a tracked unit. Some manufacturers have over-the-tire systems designed specifically for their wheeled units in demolition environments.

Attachments
Popular CUL attachments for demolition include breakers (or jackhammers), grapple forks, brooms, earth saws, multipurpose buckets, rock buckets, chisels, backhoes, grabbing tools (with jaws or pinchers), shears, planers, scrapers and dozer blades. When renting or purchasing any of these attachments for demolition, be sure to let the salesperson know what they’re for so you can get the heaviest-duty attachment in stock.

In general, the type of attachment that is good for the demolition site has replaceable parts on the engaging points. For example, buckets should have a leading edge that is replaceable, jackhammers should have replaceable bits and earth saws should have replaceable bits. Keeping an eye on these replaceable parts and changing them when they are worn will keep both the attachment and the machine performing at their peak.

The Price of Success
You certainly want peak performance with the kind of investment necessary for premium demolition equipment. Attachments generally range from $500 to $5,000. Buckets are usually on the lower end of this scale, while attachments such as jackhammers and planers — attachments with multiple rotating wheels and carbide teeth — will be on the upper end. You can pay as much as $7,000 for certain jackhammers, depending on the size you need and the type of bit necessary for the job.

Tire-fill products cost in the neighborhood of $75 per wheel, while an over-the-tire track system will set you back about $2,500. And when you’re shopping for rubber tracks, it’s definitely worth the extra $100 to $200 to equip your CUL with the thicker, more aggressive type.

Matching Attachments with Machine
Not all attachments and components are perfectly interchangeable. Each CUL has specifications that are important to follow. For one thing, it is crucial to ensure that the hydraulic needs of the attachments are compatible with the hydraulic capabilities of the machine. For example, if you’re running a 250-lb jackhammer on a CUL that only provides 6 gpm of flow, the jackhammer will not receive the power it needs to do the job. It may operate, but not at sufficient capacity. On the other hand, if you have a machine with greater hydraulic flow than what the attachment needs, you can overheat the hydraulics and damage the attachment. Refer to your operator’s manuals to determine the proper direct-performance correlation between the machine and the attachment.

No Such Thing as Too Safe
A rule of thumb around any demolition site is to expect the unexpected. Every construction site offers varying degrees of hazard. Certain CUL models offer a variety of safety features, both standard and optional, that are worth investigating.

If your CUL does not come with a metal hood, a hood protector is a smart investment to protect your machine’s engine from falling objects. Make sure your CUL has self-centering controls, which automatically return the ground drive to neutral and disengage the attachments the moment you leave the machine’s controls. If you have a walk-behind unit, it should be equipped with a backup bar that will return the ground drive to neutral if the operator inadvertently backs himself into a corner or up against a post or other obstacle. With platform CULs, a foot-control device is recommended so that the attachments run only when the operator’s foot is on the controls.

Remember to choose a machine that provides good visibility. You should always be aware of everything going on around the perimeter of your machine while working. And last but certainly not least, know the limitations of your machine and its attachments. Take time to get familiar with your CUL before you take it out to the site. Operating limitations are clearly spelled out in your manual, which you should read and comprehend thoroughly. Make sure you understand your CUL’s capacities to perform on grades, slopes and level surfaces, and on different types of jobsites.

Preventive Maintenance Tips
Be sure to regularly check the tightness of the CUL’s tracks or the air pressure of its wheels. Also keep an eye on the track rollers and sprockets. Lifting and pushing heavy objects while maneuvering through debris all day makes it tough on tires and tracks.

Check the air cleaner often and replace as needed. Demolition sites are exceedingly dusty, and these abrasive materials will definitely put your CUL’s air-filtration system to the test. The same goes for your machine’s grease points and its exposed hydraulic hoses and fittings. Falling debris can cause the fittings to break down. Dust and heavy use require more frequent re-lubrication of your grease points.
And, as mentioned above, keep an eye on the replaceable parts of your attachments, including the leading edges of your buckets, your assorted teeth, bits and wear bars, and replace as soon as possible. Your equipment provider can offer you additional tips regarding safety and proper operating protocols at the demolition site.

It’s worth stating again: When buying or renting equipment and attachments, be sure to tell the salesperson that you’ve got demolition on your mind because you don’t want to go into any demolition environment without being fully prepared. If you prepare for the worst, you’re more likely to have a successful experience.

Mike Lumbers is senior compact utility product manager with Ditch Witch, Perry, Okla.