Buying a Jackhammer - Any Advice?

[Dave_S]

I need to dig some pretty big holes and trenches at my house to improve the drainage. The ground is a sort of broken rock, not so solid that it needs blasting but not loose enough for a pick and a shovel. I can't get a machine in for most of it and even the wheelbarrow has to go in sideways.

I have been looking at ads for jackhammers and it looks like I can go with electric, pneumatic or two/four stroke. I have never used one and have little to go on when making a choice.

Does anyone have any advice, recommendations or buying tips? Anything would be much appreciated.

[Tombie]

Are you sure you cant get a mini excavator in?

They fit in some real small spaces.

[big guy]

We have a Bosch (Blue) and a larger Makita model, both electric and both are fantastic.
If you are only using it for a day, I suggest you hire one.
The cheap ones we tried burn out, are noisy and just don't have the power to cut the mustard from what we have experienced.

Also use ear muffs, they are deafening and their frequency just seems to be at the point of headache material.

[rrturboD]

I have a large electric Makita, and a couple of picks, that I have managed to get through almost everything. My Ramset and Bosch are much smaller and really just scratch the surface compared to the Makita. (Ramset and Bosch, better inside!)
The larger units make digging MUCH easier, but are heavier to man handle etc. as you are always lifting it up to a new spot on the side of the hole.
Earmuffs and gel gloves very strongly recommended.

[Tombie]

There is nothing a bit of emulsion cannot overcome :cool:

But I'd go the baby excavator :)

[Dave_S]

But I'd go the baby excavator :)

Not at my place you wouldn't. Unless you can carry it over your head, offset to one side, up some narrow stairs and then use it on a steep slope :eek:

That said, I will be using a small machine (with 990mm track) at one side of the house, but even that will be tight.

[isuzurover]

Are you sure you cant get a mini excavator in?

They fit in some real small spaces.

Dave's backyard is practically a cliff and the only access would be through the house or a standard size door in the garage.

Sorry Dave, can't help with jackhammer choices - don't envy you doing all that with a jackhammer and wheelbarrow!

[Dave_S]

Dave's backyard is practically a cliff and the only access would be through the house or a standard size door in the garage.

Sorry Dave, can't help with jackhammer choices - don't envy you doing all that with a jackhammer and chainsaw!

Cheers Ben. The garage is out though, unless the machine can be driven under a certain less-than-mobile 110 :p

You could always help by flying over, roping up and letting fly with the jackhammer. Maybe it could be a new extreme sport, or at least provide some fodder for Funniest Home Videos :D

[Blknight.aus]

with jackhammers heavier is generally better. Buy yourself a damn good set of vibration dampening glove, ear and eye protection.

[isuzurover]

Cheers Ben. The garage is out though, unless the machine can be driven under a certain less-than-mobile 110 :p

You could always help by flying over, roping up and letting fly with the jackhammer. Maybe it could be a new extreme sport, or at least provide some fodder for Funniest Home Videos :D


Sorry - fixed my post - I think I was thinking (while typing something else) that you could rent one of those concrete saws powered by a chainsaw motor for any really rocky bits and for any mods to the concrete.

[justinc]

Oh, and i thought this was another thread about buying a 4BD1 to fit to a 110....:p


JC

[DeeJay]

I dug out about 10x 7Cubic metre skips of clay using a Hitachi jackhammer with both chisel & spade attachments, probably 120 hours hammer work, then sold it for more than an Ozito from Bunnings, then bought the Ozito, It uses the same attachments and has a 12 month warrantee, although most of the work is now done.

But for a single Job the Ozito would be fine. If it stuffs up, take it back & exchange. Thats what I do with angle grinders.

[uninformed]

there are pretty much only 2 brands you see on work sites: Hitachi and Hilti.

Hitachi: 80% of jack hammers on site are Hitachi, from concreters, floor removal to demo work. These are either owned or hired (nothing gets flogged harder tha hire tools)

Hilti: Like all their gear it is top notch, but is priced at a premium. That would be why it isnt seen as much, but to see them on site is saying something.

I have also seen hitachi's used out west for fencing. Small genset on rear of truck, little overhead arm with weight/pulley/balance, these are used to drive in star pickets for fence lines.....now there are many 1000's of km/s of fencing out west.....thats alot of star pickets!

[Trout]

I have an hitachi based on a recommendation from a builder mate. He reckons the cheapies are rubbish because they wear out quickly. He has had a hitachi for years. I live on steep rocky hill and and use it for landscaping. Planting trees too :eek: worth the money if you would otherwise have to hire.

[Don 130]

I have a Hitachi. For an electric macine it's about all you'd want. For solid stuff (which you don't have ) go with pneumatic.
I bought my Hitachi second hand from a reputable second hand tool store with a guarantee. I could probably sell it now and many many jobs later for similar money (about 1/2 new price). It's been totally reliable.
Don.

[Barney2803]

I've worked for years with jack hammers and my experience was:
1, hitachi for heavier and tougher work
2. Kango for trenching and more digging type work where you've got to throw it around lots.

We used a kango to dig 100m stormwater trench 1.5m deep, yep 1.5m deep by hand before laws on shoring came into effect.

Bottom line for versatility I'd go kango anyway.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[kenl]

I HATE jackhammers, but do own a couple of them, that I occasionally use. I have an Atlas Copco Cobra 2 stroke petrol one that also can be used as a drill for blast holes etc and would say it is not far off the pnuematic ones I have used in the past except it is much heavier. (weighs about 35kg) But it can break a 2 foot cube of footing (shed footing) in half in about 2 mins.

I also have a Ozito, that I bought when I did some work at my Mums 200km away and went to Bunnings to buy a crow bar and sledge hammmer, I walked out with a jackhammer instead, and to be honest it's not bad, and I would prefer to use it over the Cobra when I can.

The wind up is if you only need it for the one job go the Ozito for sure (it's covered warranty for 12 months) if not look at the other models listed above but they will cost 4 to 5 times the price and have the same warranty.

[amtravic1]

I have used lots but own a Makita. Only reason for the Makita was it was on sale at a very good price. All the name brands seem to work as well as each other as far as I can tell.

[Dave_S]

Oh, and i thought this was another thread about buying a 4BD1 to fit to a 110....:p


JC

Now that's just plain mean :D

[Mudnut]

I just purchased an Ozito brand one from Bunnings for $350. Figured it would get used 2 - 3 times a year, and couldn't justify the price of better named brands. Don't get me wrong, I rely on my tools for my trade, but if only used occasionally, I will rent, or purchase one that is in the cheap bracket. Used it to jackhammer up a large slate boulder, that fell in my yard, and also for digging holes for trees in our block (similar soil to your's). Can't fault it in the 6 hours of use it has had over the last 3 months. It is approximately 20kg, so good for working on rock, but not too heavy for my 50yo arms to lift.

Good luck in your search.

Ken