Massive FRD breaker speeds up installation of sewer pipework in Ireland
26/07/2002

A 6.8 tonne FRD-Furukawa F100LN hydraulic breaker recently purchased by Conway Bros. of Enniskillen and Sligo in Ireland is playing a key role in the installation of new sewage systems on behalf of Galway City Council.

Delivering an impressive 15690 joules of impact energy, the F100LN (low noise) is the largest breaker in the FRD range, suitable for base machines from 65 to 100 tonnes. Out of the breaker's total weight of a hefty 6.8 tonnes, the point alone weighs almost ½ tonne and has a diameter of 21cm. It is now one of the biggest operating in Ireland and was supplied by Marubeni-Komatsu's Northern Ireland dealer, T.B.F. Thompson of Garvagh.

Conway Bros has the contract to install 10 km of gravity foul and surface water sewers in Galway's Merlin Park area using pipes ranging in diameter from 280 mm to 1500 mm. The pipes require a trench to be excavated varying in width from 7.5 m at the top down to 4 m at the bottom with depths reaching 7.5 m.

Most of the pipe route is through solid rock, mainly limestone with some granite, and the F100LN breaker mounted on an 80 tonne excavator has been making such good progress that another truck has had to be called in to help keep pace with a pair of 40 tonne excavators removing the broken rock.

The F100LN comes with low noise as standard, but due to the nature of this job, additional sound proofing material was fitted. "We are very pleased with the breaker's performance" says director Pat Conway. "It is doing a great job and its sound proofing is extremely effective - in fact, we have had no complaints so far, even though we are currently working close to Galway Hospital. I certainly never thought I could stand near a breaker without ear muffs until I heard the FRD in action."

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