Maintenance kits are a central building block for safe, economical, and predictable maintenance of hydraulic demolition and splitting equipment. Especially in concrete- and rock-processing environments—such as in concrete demolition and special deconstruction, strip-out and cutting, rock excavation and tunnel construction, as well as natural stone extraction—high pressures, abrasive dusts, and fluctuating temperatures act on tools and hydraulic power units. With precisely matched maintenance kits, preventive service tasks can be carried out in a bundled manner, downtime reduced, and the performance of concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, hydraulic power packs, combination shears, Multi Cutters, steel shears, tank cutters, and rock split cylinders kept reliably at the intended level.
Definition: What is meant by maintenance kits
Maintenance kits are preconfigured sets of wear and sealing components required for scheduled service intervals and condition-based inspections of a specific product or product family. A maintenance kit typically includes seals, O-rings, wipers, dust caps, retaining rings, bolt sets, and, where applicable, filter elements and other small parts that must be regularly renewed on hydraulic construction and demolition equipment. The goal is to maintain the functionality, leak-tightness, and safety of the machine in accordance with the technical specifications and to avoid downtime caused by unplanned leaks or pressure losses.
Structure and typical components of maintenance kits
Maintenance kits are compiled so that all parts required for a defined service scope are available in the correct quantities and appropriate versions. Typical contents:
- Sealing elements: O-rings, rod seals, piston seals, flat gaskets
- Protection and guidance elements: wipers, dust caps, guide rings
- Wear and fastening parts: retaining rings, keys, bolts and nuts with specified strength ratings
- Hydraulic service: filter elements (e.g., pressure, return, or suction filters in the hydraulic power pack), screens
- Accessories depending on the assembly: venting elements, sealing washers, adapters, caps
The specific compilation depends on the design, nominal size, pressure rating, and year of manufacture of the tool or power pack. In cross-assembly maintenance kits, partial packages are often grouped by component (e.g., cylinder seal kit, valve seal kit, filter package).
Relevance in concrete demolition, rock excavation, and tunnel construction
Demolition and splitting processes generate dust, moisture, and vibrations. Porous concrete, contact with reinforcement, and sharp-edged rock fragments put stress on wipers and seals. In natural stone extraction and tunnel construction, temperature fluctuations, water, and fine sediments add further load. Maintenance kits enable condition-based and time-based maintenance to keep concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, and hydraulic power packs reliably leak-tight, responsive, and pressure-stable.
Maintenance kits for concrete pulverizers: functional reliability in deconstruction
Concrete pulverizers operate with high compressive forces and recurring load cycles. Typical service scopes cover the cylinder seals, wipers, and sealing rings on hydraulic drives as well as seals on control valves. Pin joints and retaining rings can also be included as a defined part of a maintenance kit to keep joint clearances within the target range. Regular renewal of these components minimizes drift, reduces oil loss, and maintains closing and opening speeds at the required pace—an essential factor for predictable workflows in strip-out and cutting as well as in special deconstruction.
Maintenance kits for rock and concrete splitters and rock split cylinders
Hydraulic splitting relies on precise pressure transmission. Maintenance kits focus on sealing the pressure chambers (piston and rod seals), on wipers to prevent ingress of contaminants, and on O-rings in valve blocks and coupling interfaces. For rock split cylinders, a properly functioning wiper is crucial to keep fine particles away from the rod chamber. Depending on condition, small parts such as retaining rings and bolts can also be replaced. In practice, a comprehensive maintenance kit improves the repeatability of the splitting process and reduces pressure drop, especially with longer hydraulic hoses and fluctuating temperatures in rock excavation and tunnel construction.
Hydraulic power packs: filter and sealing packages
Hydraulic power packs supply tools with pressure and flow. A maintenance kit often includes return and pressure filter elements, seals on fittings, O-rings in valve assemblies, as well as seals on tank lids and service openings. Clean filtration is a key factor for the service life of downstream components. Timely replacement based on operating hours or the differential pressure indicator reduces cavitation, protects cylinder and valve seals, and keeps oil temperatures within the target range.
Service intervals and trigger criteria
Service intervals can be time-based (e.g., annually), usage-based (operating hours/cycles), or condition-based. Trigger criteria for using a maintenance kit include:
- visible oil film, leakage at sealing points, recurring pressure drop
- unusual temperature rise in the hydraulic system, reduced working speed
- increased particle load in the oil according to filter analysis
- hardened or brittle sealing elements after long storage or extreme temperature cycles
In dust- or sludge-intensive applications (e.g., concrete demolition, natural stone extraction), shorter intervals are advisable. For concrete pulverizers and rock and concrete splitters, regular visual checks for contamination at wipers and seal lips are also recommended.
Procedure: cleanliness, depressurization, inspection
When applying maintenance kits, a systematic procedure is important:
- Clean the work area, depressurize the tool and hydraulics, and secure energy sources.
- Mark components, carefully clean sealing surfaces, and check for damage.
- Remove old seals and wipers without stress, and inspect the seats.
- Check new elements from the maintenance kit, lightly wet them, and install without stress.
- Assemble bolted joints using the specified tightening torques, and correctly install locking elements.
- Commission with a functional test: observe leak-tightness, end positions, pressure behavior, and temperature.
A clean work environment is as crucial as following the prescribed sequence. This helps prevent consequential damage caused by particle ingress.
Quality and fit
Hydraulic seals and wipers must be matched in material, geometry, and hardness. Deviations can lead to increased wear, friction, temperature rise, or leakage. Maintenance kits tailored to the respective concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, hydraulic power packs, and other tools from Darda GmbH ensure tolerances and materials designed for the intended operating pressures and media temperatures.
Documentation and traceability
Complete documentation of the maintenance kits used improves the planning of future services. Recommended:
- Record the date, operating hours, and installed partial packages
- Assign entries to the serial numbers of the tool and hydraulic power pack
- Note observed findings (e.g., condition of old seals, particles in filter bags)
These data support condition-based maintenance and help select more precise intervals for concrete pulverizers or rock split cylinders.
Failure patterns indicating due maintenance kits
Typical signs pointing to upcoming service with a maintenance kit include:
- gradual pressure loss, frequent readjustment
- delayed response or jerky movements
- oil leakage at cylinder rods, valve blocks, or couplings
- unusual noises (cavitation, pulsation), elevated oil temperature
For concrete pulverizers, this often becomes apparent through decreasing closing speed; for rock and concrete splitters, splitting cycles may become inconsistent.
Environmental and occupational safety
Hydraulic oil, filters, and worn seals must be handled properly and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. Leak-tightness after service protects the environment and the workplace. Clean assembly and adherence to the specified tightening torques contribute to operational safety. Observe general safety requirements; individual demands may vary by application (e.g., tunnel construction, special operations).
Storage and shelf life of maintenance kits
Sealing elements must be protected from climate exposure. For long storage life:
- store dry, dark, cool, and protected from UV
- open original packaging only immediately before installation
- avoid contact with plasticizers or solvents
After longer storage, a visual and tactile check (embrittlement, cracks) is recommended. This verifies the quality of the maintenance kit prior to installation.
Cost efficiency and spare parts strategy
Maintenance kits bundle components, reduce procurement effort, and prevent part shortages during service. Especially on job sites with tight time windows—such as in special deconstruction or strip-out—this increases availability. A coordinated spare parts strategy combines baseline intervals (time- or hours-based) with findings from oil and filter condition to utilize maintenance windows in a targeted manner.
Planning in the application areas
Concrete demolition and special deconstruction
Here, cycle times, dust exposure, and changing materials are paramount. Maintenance kits for concrete pulverizers and hydraulic power packs should be available before intensive deconstruction phases begin to use planned windows effectively.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
Fine particles and moisture stress wipers and seals; maintenance kits for rock split cylinders and splitters help ensure pressure stability over long hose runs and fluctuating temperatures.
Natural stone extraction
Consistent repeatability and clean splitting operations are crucial. Leak-tightness and filtration have a direct impact on process quality.
Strip-out and cutting as well as special operations
For small-scale, cycle-driven tasks, short service windows are typical. Preconfigured maintenance kits reduce assembly time and the risk of errors.
Selection and identification of the appropriate maintenance kit
Product designation, year of manufacture, serial number, and configuration (e.g., pressure rating, valve configuration) are decisive for selection. It is sensible to plan maintenance kits by assembly—e.g., separately for the concrete pulverizer, hydraulic power pack, and coupling/valve technology—to act as needed. The documentation from Darda GmbH provides the required specifications for assignment.
Practical recommendations for workshop and job site
- Keep maintenance kits on hand for specific projects, especially for high-utilization operations.
- Define cleanliness requirements (workbench areas, covers, cleaning levels).
- Provide test equipment: torque wrenches, gauges for seal seats, pressure test ports.
- Perform a post-service functional test including temperature and leak checks.
This makes maintenance plannable, and the performance of concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, and hydraulic power packs remains reliably available.