Multi-tasking: multi-processors are showing up more often on demolition sites thanks to the versatility they offer.

Attachments offer unprecedented versatility on a demolition job site. They allow one operator to perform a variety of tasks using a single carrier, from primary demolition to shearing through steel beams to size reduction of concrete.

"Attachments allow a customer to turn a single base machine into a specialized tool for that particular function he is trying to accomplish." Uwe Kaush, product line manager for Stanley LaBounty, Two Harbor, Minn., says. "They also make the job much safer in that you have one operator working in a protected excavator cab vs. manual labor running all over the job site."

The versatility these tools offer also translates into cost savings to the contractor. "The advantage to the contractor of having attachments available on the job site is that he needs fewer pieces of equipment on the job." Al Springer, manager of Allied Construction Products LLC, Cleveland, says. "This relates to a cost savings to the contractor because he has fewer major pieces of equipment to transport to the job site, fewer operators, less fuel consumption, etc."

Mike Ramun of Youngstown, Ohio-based Allied-Gator notes similar benefits. "The right attachment will increase a contractor's work capacity, increase job safety, maximize overall profit and minimize downtime and labor costs."

One attachment among the variety of tools available promises increased-versatility because it claims to do it all--shear, pulverize and crush--with only a few adjustments. That attachment is the universal or multiprocessor.

"Multi-processors have revolutionized the demolition industry," says Jim MacDougall, regional sales manager for Atlas Copco Construction Tools Inc., which is based in Stockholm, Sweden, with a U.S. office in Springfield, Mass. "They can be precise in the removal of certain materials and can process materials on site, like concrete and steel. This reduces trucking costs," he says. "Recycling certainly has played a major role in the development of multi-processors."

VERSATILITY

Thanks to their ability to handle a variety of primary demolition tasks with a simple change of their jaws, multi-processors can offer value, as well as versatility, to a demolition contractor.

"Most demo contractors look to acquire attachments that provide the best overall value for their particular needs," MacDougall says. "In many cases, this results in the purchase of a 'multi/universal' type attachment."

Kausch agrees that universal processors can be a valuable investment for demolition contractors of all sizes. "The advantage of buying a universal processor is that you are making only a one-time investment in the attachment 'body,' which consists of the rotation components, stick or body of the attachments and its cylinders," he says. "Therefore, by investing only in the various jaw sets, the contractor can save money vs. buying specialist attachments."

Neil LeBlanc, senior marketing consultant for Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, ILL, also notes the growing of popularity of multi-processors. "Given the versatility of multi-processors, contractors are now buying these types of tools on a regular basis," LeBlanc says. "One MP tool can perform multiple functions (cut, crush, pulverize, etc.) and generally will displace several specialized, single-purpose tools."

Versatility is often an advantage on a demolition site, but so is speed. "Today's demolition contractors are seeking tool versatility now more than ever," Mike Ramun says, adding that Allied-Gator's multi-processor allows operators to quickly change jaws in a matter of minutes by removing and re-inserting a few pins.

But such quick jaw changes weren't always the case with multi-processors. "The one advantage in buying specialist attachments was in changing them out," Kausch says. "If a customer has a quick coupler, he can change them out fairly fast."

Kausch says LaBounty has quickened the pace of change outs on its line of universal processors by incorporating a slot where the jaw set locks into place on the body.

TRADEOFFS

Some demolition contractors may question whether they will sacrifice power or performance for the versatility that universal processors offer.

"Contractors know that in situations where the performance of the attachment is critical, specialized tools work better," says Mark Ramun, demolition division director for Genesis Attachments, which is based in Superior, Wis.

He continues, "The whole concept of a multi-processor is to be the 'Swiss Army knife' attachment. However, in almost every case, the attachment's performance suffers for interchangeability." However, he says that Genesis will attempt to address this issue with its new line of Logix multi-processing tools that will be introduced later this summer.

LeBlanc also notes a "slight reduction" in a multi-processor's overall processing capacity in relation to a specialized attachment used for its primary application.

However, Mike Ramun contends that Allied-Gator's multi-processor offers higher production and performance for most demolition tasks and requires less maintenance and downtime than specialized attachments.

Sharon Johnson, marketing manager for Breaker Technology Inc. (BTI), based in Thornbury, Ontario, also says that multi-processors, such as BTI's MS Series, offer "full production capability without the need for a dedicated tool for every demolition job."

Relying on a single attachment on the job site has another potential drawback in the form of possible downtime should a contractor encounter problems with the multi-processor's base unit. "Having one machine to perform many tasks is risky," MacDougall says.

Despite this concern, the multi-processor is becoming a common sight on demolition jobs. "We have found the UP to be a mainstay product for the demolition market," Kausch says. However, he adds that LaBounty does not recommend its universal processors to C&D recyclers because the tool rotates, which is not necessary in pure recycling environments. Another feature of multi-processors that makes them less desirable for pure recycling applications is that they have their own cylinders, which provide the power needed when demolishing buildings and bridges, but is overkill in recycling operations, Kausch says.

Because they are most often used in primary demolition situations, multi-processors are most often paired with excavators.

CARRIERS

Springer of Allied Construction Products says that excavators are the best match for multi-processors. "Excavators have the required oil flow and high oil pressure to operate the multi-processor," he says. "They also have enough weight to position the multi-processor to do the work."

Compact excavators also are a nice fit with multi-processors. "Multi-processors are best suited to work with hydraulic excavators (both tracked and wheeled undercarriages)," LeBlanc says. "These excavators can be compact, small or large in size (with both standard and long-reach booms/sticks.)

Some manufacturers, such as Allied-Gator, also make universal processors that can be paired with smaller carriers, such as skid steers.

"There are plenty of good base carriers on the market that make for wise investments when used with a multi-processor," Mark Ramun of Genesis says, "but you can get much more out of today's machines through the utilization of custom boom configurations, high-reach demolition fronts and custom cab risers."

But the carrier is just one issue that contractor's need to consider when selecting a multi-processor attachment.

CRITICAL QUESTIONS

"Make sure the attachment is properly sized for the carrier as well as the application," Mark Ramun says. He also suggests that contractors should not buy for their immediate needs, but with growth in mind.

"Before you buy, you should try to figure out what the total cost of ownership of this investment will be and compare it in its total earning potential--you may be surprised by both numbers," he says.

Mark Ramun also suggests that demolition contractors consider the company that they are investing in when purchasing a multi-processor. "Service and support after the sale is extremely important," he says.

Kausch says that demolition contractors should do their homework prior to meeting with attachment manufacturers. "Provide the attachment manufacturer as much information about the type of work being performed so the correct tool can be recommended," he says. "You also need to provide the type of excavator that will be used along with its boom/arm configuration, counterweight/track option to ensure that the attachment is a good fit for the excavator. Also, make sure that you get the attachment's hydraulic requirement so the excavator can be plumbed properly," Kausch adds.

Along with the tool's weight and hydraulic system requirements, LeBlanc suggests that the attachment's hourly processing capacity should be a primary consideration.

"When shopping for attachments, the contractor needs to understand that production for a multi-processor is all about speed and power," or the opening and closing speed of the jaws as well as their crushing and cutting power, Springer says. "This is why Allied uses a high-speed valve in our cylinders on our RD 32," he continues. "This increases the dosing of the jaw by diverting return oil right back to the piston. The RD 32 crushing and cutting force comes from a large trunion-mounted cylinder."

Allied-Gator's Mike Ramun suggests that contractors ask attachment makers whether the attachment will require hub adjustments or shaft removal, whether maintenance can be performed easily by the operator in the field and how often wear parts will need to be replaced and what the contractor can expect to spend.

MAINTENANCE

"The majority of demolition attachment maintenance is done in the field," Mike Ramun says. He adds that Allied-Gator's Multi-Tool attachments are designed to run for months with little maintenance-related downtime because of its adjustment-free hub design and bolt-on disposable blade, top and teeth components.

Johnston says that BTI's MS Series multi-processor features replaceable cutting blades that can be rotated to achieve maximum life. "The crusher, demolition and pulverizer jaw sets are equipped with replaceable teeth that eliminate the need to build up and hardface and are fast and easy to change in the field, resulting in 10-15 percent more production time," she says. "The rate of wear on each tooth is different depending on its location within the jaw. By rotating the teeth, you can ensure the teeth wear evenly, providing maximum service life."

The attachment's hydraulic hoses will also need attention, and typical maintenance consists of repairing or replacing leaky hoses and fittings, LeBlanc says.

Kausch says attachments typically require two to four hours of maintenance per each 40 hours of use. "If well cared for, the attachment should last 5-7 years before a major rebuild is required," he says.

However, with so many variables influencing an attachment's lifespan, it's difficult to provide generalizations. "The useful life of a demolition attachment varies quite dramatically from company to company but tends to be largely determined by the amount of the tool's utilization and quality of its maintenance," Mark Ramun says.

The one sure thing, however, is that multi-processors, in light of their versatility and affordability, will continue to be a predominant presence on demolition jobsites well into the future.

The author is associate editor of Construction & Demolition Recycling and can be reached at [e-mail].