When Gary Combs, owner of Basic Construction in Springdale, AR, had his 8,000 lb. Kent KF 45 QT hydraulic hammer break down, he was in a dilemma.
“We were in a real need of the Kent hammer to complete rock crushing on a utility job that was in progress,” said Combs.
The hammer is attached to a LBX 3400 excavator and used for instant recycling by crushing rock on site for base material, instead of hauling the rock away.
“I thought I would have to purchase a new hammer since most repair companies take more time than anyone states, and this job had to continue,” Combs said. “Before making the purchase of a new hammer, I remembered I had seen an ad for Midco Demolition Tool in ’Construction Equipment Guide’ where they promoted that they could rebuild a hydraulic hammer in a 24 hour turnaround time. I decided to call Midco in Dallas to see if they would live up to their advertising,” said Combs.
After the call to David Spainhour at Midco in Dallas, TX, the logistics were worked out and a date and time for the delivery was agreed upon.
Ralph Lofton of Basic Construction delivered the hammer to Midco on June 20 with plans to stay at least two days visiting with relatives while the hammer was rebuilt.
“I arrived in Dallas on Monday night and delivered the hammer at 6 a.m. on Tuesday with the intent of having all day and possibly the next day before I could pick up the Kent 45,” Lofton said. “When Midco called five hours later for me to come and get the finished hammer I could not believe it. When I arrived at Midco, I checked the hammer and, sure enough, it was ours, completely rebuilt, painted, decaled like a brand new Kent 45 and tested.
“Midco loaded the hammer for me and my trip to Dallas was cut short in order to get the hammer back to Springdale and back on the job.”
According to David Spainhour, manager of Midco Demolition Tool Co., when the hammer was delivered at 6 a.m., the housing was full of dirt and grease and had to be removed and cleaned before the actual rebuild could start.
“We logged the 45QT into the books, began cleaning the hammer and by 8:30 we were ready to start the complete teardown and rebuild,” stated Spainhour.
During the tear-down, Midco found that the seals were completely worn out, one side rod bolt was beyond repair and the lower bushing was basically gone.
Spainhour said that a Midco rebuild is complete with all new OEM parts including seals, bushing and hard parts such as the side bolts when they are beyond factory specifications.
The hammers are completely disassembled, inspected and steam cleaned in a Hotsy washer or hand cleaned if the parts are too large.
“In our rebuild process, the valve, accumulator and the cylinder assemblies are inspected and rebuilt,” Spainhour continued.
He said that the front and back heads are cleaned and inspected for damage, the cylinder is re-honed to factory specs and the piston is polished.
“After we have inspected all items and replaced the seals and bushings and all the parts are torqued, we charge the accumulator with gas and do final testing before the hammer is painted and factory approved decals are applied,” said Spainhour. “At Midco, we pride ourselves in doing what we say we will do and when Gary called needing the hammer quickly, we put it ahead of a few that were not on a hot schedule and finished the hammer in five hours,” said Spainhour.
“When I got the hammer back and it looked and worked like a new hammer, I was stunned to find a company that would go beyond the 100 percent line and do more than they said they would,” commented Combs. “I was extremely pleased with the rebuild being billed at exactly what was quoted and I would recommend highly that if anyone is having trouble with their hammer or in need of a rebuild, they should call Midco,” Combs concluded.
(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.cegltd.com.) CEG
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