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Rock splitter hire solves pool problem |
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Tuesday, February 23 2010
A hand-held, hydraulic-powered rock splitter from Kennards Concrete Care proved the answer when larger equipment could not be used to excavate for a swimming pool on a prestigious harbour-side property.
Building contractor, I BLD, supervised the installation of the 21,500 litre concrete
pool after carrying out a major renovation and refurbishment of the house overlooking
Sydney Harbour.
George Akkary, of I BLD, said the pool was built in a very confined position between the high water mark of the harbour and an extensive sloping rock formation.
"We had to excavate about 30 cubic metres of very solid sandstone without damaging the
overhanging rock," he said.
"The rock splitter was great. We drilled holes in the sandstone with a 47mm bit core drill and
then inserted the splitter, which prised out large slabs of rock at a time."
Splitters, which can also be used on concrete, are ideal for areas where conventional demolition equipment is unsuitable because of access, dust, flying debris, vibrations, noise or exhaust fumes.
Hydraulic pressure provides 365 tonnes of effective splitting force in a process which is fast,
quiet, vibration-free and easy to control.
The splitting cylinder functions according to the proven wedge principle, and is extremely
effective because rock and concrete are much more susceptible to force applied internally
rather than externally.
Work starts with a hole of a precise diameter and depth being drilled into the concrete or rock.
The wedge set, consisting of one wedge and two counter wedges, is then inserted into the
drill-hole. Hydraulic pressure from a 240V power pack drives the centre wedge forward, forcing the counter wedges apart and resulting in the material splitting within seconds.
By enlarging counter wedges, the split can be expanded to a greater width.
Reinforcing rods break, or can be cut up, with a suitable power tool, such as combi shears, which can also be hired from Kennards Concrete Care.
The company has hire centres in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and a new outlet in Adelaide.
Equipment can be delivered Australia-wide.
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