If you’re using a rock drill with a down-the-hole (DTH) hammer, you know that the shock sub is a crucial component in your drilling setup. This small but mighty piece of equipment minimizes backforce while drilling, ensuring that your drill head operates efficiently and stays in good condition. However, like all equipment, shock subs require regular maintenance to continue performing at their best. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining your shock sub to maximize its effectiveness and lifespan.

When to Schedule Maintenance

The manufacturer’s recommendation encourages performing maintenance on your shock sub every 6 months or after 500 hours of use, whichever comes first. Due to the nature and function of the shock sub, there are no outward signs when the internal seals begin to wear out, however, sticking to this schedule ensures that your shock sub stays in top shape, effectively minimizing the shock and vibration transmitted to the drill head and other components during drilling operations.

Why Regular Maintenance is Crucial

Although there may be no outward signs indicating that maintenance is needed, the internal components of your shock sub, particularly the seals, are subject to wear and tear over time. As these seals wear down, the shock sub becomes less effective at absorbing vibrations and minimizing backforce. This can lead to:

Reduced Performance: A shock sub that isn’t functioning optimally can cause increased vibration and impact on the drill head, reducing drilling efficiency.
Potential Damage: Operating when your shock sub is not at peak performance increases wear on your drill head and other components, leading to costly repairs and downtime.

What Happens During Maintenance?

During the recommended maintenance, the focus is primarily on replacing the seals within the shock sub. These seals are critical in ensuring that the shock sub can perform its function of absorbing force during drilling. The maintenance process typically involves:

Disassembling the Shock Sub: This allows for a thorough inspection of all components, ensuring there is no hidden damage or wear.
Inspecting Seals and Components: The seals are checked for signs of wear, cracks, or damage. If necessary, they are replaced to restore the shock sub’s ability to minimize vibrations.
Reassembling and Testing: After the seals are replaced, the shock sub is reassembled and tested to ensure it functions correctly.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance

Extended Equipment Life: By regularly maintaining your shock sub, you ensure that your drill head and other components are protected from unnecessary wear and damage.
Reduced Downtime and Costs: Like an oil change in your car, preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns, helping you avoid more costly repairs and downtime.
Optimal Drilling Performance: A well-maintained shock sub ensures smooth and efficient drilling, improving productivity and reducing operator fatigue.

Conclusion

Maintaining your rock drill shock sub every 6 months or 500 hours is a small investment of time and resources that pay off in the long run. Not only does it help keep your drilling equipment in optimal condition, but it also protects your investment by preventing costly repairs and downtime. If it’s been a while since your last shock sub maintenance, now is the time to schedule it. Preserve the health of your shock sub and keep your drilling operations running smoothly!

For more information or to place an order for your sock sub maintenance kit, contact our sales team today! Your equipment deserves the best care—let us help you keep it in top shape.

4 Things for Construction Companies to Consider as the U.S. Makes its Way through the Re-Opening Phases

1. What will the New Normal Look Like

Like any major event, the “normal” we enter into as the U.S. moves through the re-opening phases will not be the same “normal” that we all knew before quarantine began a few months ago. The immense social and economic impact of the “stay-at-home” orders have undoubtedly triggered lasting impacts not only to the U.S. economy but the general state of mental health for U.S. citizens. Although the construction industry was deemed “essential” by many states, we all still felt the strain.

So, what will the new normal look like? Maybe the new normal will require consumers to wear their face masks when in public. Maybe the new normal will require us to find creative ways to maintain the 6 feet apart rule while on a job-site. Maybe the new normal will mean that many of our office staff will continue to work at home. No one really knows. We know that things are going to change, in one way or another, but we are all capable of continuing forward into the new normal and adapting.

2. Prioritize Health

As we return to work it is still important to maintain the safety guideline set by the CDC to help minimize potential exposure. Listed below are some of the CDC recommendations for construction workers:

Notify your supervisor and stay at home if you or anyone in your household is presenting symptoms.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as shared tools, machines, vehicles and other equipment, handrails, ladders, doorknobs, and portable toilets. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces periodically throughout the shift but also:
- At the beginning and end of every shift
- After anyone uses your vehicle, tools, or workstation
Limit Tool Sharing if Possible
Wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas where there is significant community-based transmission of COVID-19.

Read more of the CDC’s recommendations for construction workers HERE.

Additionally, OSHA has released recommendations for the construction industry to minimize worker exposure to COVID-19. Listed below are a few of the recommended actions:

Encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.
Promote personal hygiene. If workers do not have immediate access to soap and water for hand washing, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol.
Keep in-person meetings (including toolbox talks and safety meetings) as short as possible, limit the number of workers in attendance, and use social distancing practices.
Clean and disinfect portable job-site toilets regularly. Hand sanitizer dispensers should be filled regularly. Frequently-touched items (i.e., door pulls and toilet seats) should be disinfected.

The official OSHA document with further recommendations can be found HERE.

3. What’s the Budget?

With all of the postponed work and changes due to the COVID-19 shutdown, for many construction jobs the timeline and budget has changed. On top of changes to the parameters of the job, many vendors have been forces to adjust prices and production times in order to stay a-float as their margins were impacted over the last few months. As we get back up and running it’s important to communicate with your vendors if your timeline has changed so they can work the changes into any new production schedules. It is also important to reach out to make sure the funds you have budgeted for your project are still accurate post-COVID.

4. Check on Your Equipment

Before you get back to work it is important to check over your equipment and perform any maintenance. If your equipment has been sitting you may have a list of things that need to be done to get it back up and running well. WORD Rock Drills, for example, should be routinely greased and checked for wear in areas that see a lot of movement. Greasing the drill and checking the common wear parts ensures that your drill is at top performance when you start working. Looking for more drill maintenance tips? Click HERE

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/construction-workers.html

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA4000.pdf

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Essential Maintenance for Your Rock Drill Shock Sub