Breaking Ledge Rock Case History

The Surestrike model 4000 is successfully used to break limestone ledge rock at a landfill site in Kansas City Kansas.

In this particular application, 6’ thick ledge rock is broken by the model 4000 mounted to a CAT 345B. Two different types of ledge rock exist in this site, a porous soft limestone which can be ripped using the 345 bucket and a harder, dense limestone which must be broken. The soft limestone can be ripped and dug at a rate of approximately 100 yards/hour with the CAT 345.

Prior to using the Surestrike, a hydraulic hammer with a chisel bit/pin was used to break the hard limestone at a rate of 100 – 125 yards/hour. The Surestrike hammer with a blunt bit/pin broke the hard limestone at a rate in excess of 150 yards per hour. If a chisel bit/pin had been used, the operator estimates the production with the Surestrike would have increased to 180 – 200 yards/hour.

In addition to increased production over the hydraulic hammer, the Surestrike hammer is quieter, easier on equipment and the operator and has fewer maintenance requirements.