Leading specialist Jet Demolition is the first demolition contractor in Africa to implement the OilQuick automatic quick coupler system for its fleet. It allows hydraulic work tools to be connected and disconnected effortlessly from the driver’s cab. In addition, the operator can change seamlessly between various work tools within seconds, from a hydraulic hammer to steel or concrete shears, sorting grapple, hydraulic magnet, bucket or even a machine-mounted crusher.
Bradley Slooten, who has a BSc (Hons) in Construction Management, is Equipment Asset Manager at Jet Demolition and dealt directly with the OilQuick factory in Sweden. “They were very surprised to hear that a demolition contractor in South Africa has the fleet capacity to adopt their system.” While there are various quick coupler systems available locally, this is a first for the South African industry in terms of automation.
A factor that influences any successful demolition job is the versatility of the equipment on-site, explains Bradley. Generally, an excavator on a civils or earthmoving site has a specific attachment, either a hydraulic hammer or bucket, for its entire lifespan. However, a demolition site often sees a machine carry multiple attachments within a working day. The time it takes to change an attachment with a conventional pin system generally is two to three hours.
Jet Demolition discarded this outdated technology about 15 years ago, developing its own in-house mechanical coupler system that reduced the time to change attachments to about 45 minutes. However, with demolition projects becoming increasingly fast-track and cost-driven, Bradley embarked on the next step to improve fleet efficiency.
Developed and manufactured in Sweden, the OilQuick fully automated hydraulic coupler system allows the operator to change between various demolition attachments in a matter of seconds. The system makes use of the excavator’s own hydraulic system, which moves the lock pins to couple and uncouple, while simultaneously connecting the hydraulic hose couplings. This is all done with the flip of a switch in the cab in a single motion.
“Anyone who works with plant and equipment understands a machine standing still is a machine costing money,” points out Bradley. OilQuick has eliminated the standing time of machines due to the automated attachment changeover. “The machines equipped with the system have seen an increase in hours worked and greater productivity. We can now use less machines on-site to do more.”
For example, Jet Demolition has undertaken multiple rapid shutdown bridge demolition projects. These jobs generally require six to eight 50 t excavators for 24 to 36 hours consecutively. The OilQuick system has seen an increase of 26% hours worked within that short duration, with multiple attachments compared to a machine with Jet’s own standard attachment system.
A key consideration is safety, with the OilQuick system not requiring any external interaction, as everything is controlled from the cab. “This means we have completely eliminated human interaction when changing attachments and, along with that, the risk of injuries. This is a massive positive in terms of our exemplary health and safety record,” adds Bradley.
Jet Demolition owns a range of excavators, allowing it to look critically at which class of machines are requested most often by the operations team. “We also look at which class machines are using the biggest variety of attachments on a demolition site.” At present, the OilQuick system is being installed on its 20 t, 40 t, and 50 t Hitachi machines, the OEM brand that the company has standardised on since 2022.
In addition to importing the latest technology, Bradley’s team is also currently designing and fabricating various bespoke demolition tools to keep Jet Demolition at the cutting-edge of innovation in the industry. These include boom extension arms of various lengths with specialised tools that extend a machine’s reach and ability to undertake heavy demolition work.
The company, which had previously implemented a 6 000-hour trade-in arrangement, has systematically been extending its running hours. Bradley says this has been possible due to a strict maintenance programme and meticulous attention to detail. For example, when a machine is brought back from site, substantial time is spent examining the machine for any faults or evidence of wear and tear that may need rectifying.
“This approach has been successful, and we have seen great results, with older machines hitting the 10 000-hour mark with improved performance,” says Bradley. This is in addition to a full preventative programme that Bradley recently introduced, whereby periodically a machine is completely disassembled and rebuilt to factory standard. “A strict maintenance programme coupled with using good quality parts and lubricants is the secret to prolonging the life of our equipment,” he highlights.
In terms of the latest additions to the Jet Demolition fleet, 2024 saw it procure the next-generation Montabert V4700 hydraulic hammers. It replaces the V4500 range, which has proven efficient and powerful thus far. The number of hydraulic magnets has also been increased, as these have proven particularly efficient when dealing with redundant scrap metal and site cleanups.
Bradley proudly points to the latest generation 35 t excavator launched earlier this year by Hitachi, quickly snapped up by Jet Demolition in its ongoing quest for the optimal fleet. “It looks promising, with an advertised fuel saving of around 15%. We look forward to putting it through its paces on a demolition site.”
However, the most exciting addition to the fleet to date is Jet Demolition’s second high-reach machine. “We are the first in Africa to purchase a high-reach demolition excavator directly from the factory in Japan,” reveals Bradley. This Hitachi ZX350LCK-6 model has a reach of 23 m and a staggering 2 600 kg tool capacity at that height. The machine comes with multiple booms, making it equally versatile as a high-reach machine or as a standard configured excavator.
Jet Demolition’s drive for innovation and operational efficiency furthers its reputation for excellence. By embracing cutting-edge technology like the OilQuick system and continuously upgrading its fleet with advanced machinery, the company ensures that it remains at the forefront of modern demolition practices.
This commitment extends beyond equipment to rigorous maintenance programmes and in-house engineering solutions, showcasing a holistic approach to operational excellence. As Jet Demolition pioneers these advancements, it not only sets a benchmark for efficiency and safety, but also redefines the possibilities of what can be achieved in challenging and fast-paced demolition environments.
Ends
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Notes to the Editor
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About Jet Demolition
Jet Demolition has been undertaking industrial demolition works since 1994, and is the leading, largest, and most technically advanced demolition company in Africa. It offers in-house, full-range demolition services, including advanced mechanical solutions and controlled implosions. It actively pursues ongoing development of skills and equipment suited to the changing needs of the industry.
Jet Demolition is a technically based company, with various staff members holding MSc, BSc, and BTech Degrees, as well as National Diplomas, in various engineering fields. This expertise gives it the technical foundation to successfully engineer solutions for large and complex demolition projects, and furthermore fuels its drive to deliver quality projects safely. Jet Demolition strives to offer its clients innovative and technical solutions to demanding demolition challenges.
Jet Demolition Contact
Kate Bester (NDip Civil Engineering – PMP)
Contracts and Project Manager
Phone: (011) 495 3800
Email: kate@jetdemolition.co.za
Web: www.jetdemolition.co.za
Media Contact
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NGAGE Public Relations
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Cell: 074 212 1422
Email: rachel@ngage.co.za
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FILES: Latest additions to the most advanced demolition equipment fleet in Africa_approved
Title: Latest additions to the most advanced demolition equipment fleet in Africa_approved
IMAGES: A Hitachi 240-5G demolition excavator with the OilQuick system
Title: A Hitachi 240-5G demolition excavator with the OilQuick systemA Hitachi 470LCR-5G with the OilQuick system demolishing a bridge structure under shutdown conditions_1
Title: A Hitachi 470LCR-5G with the OilQuick system demolishing a bridge structure under shutdown conditions_1A Hitachi 470LCR-5G with the OilQuick system demolishing a bridge structure under shutdown conditions_2
Title: A Hitachi 470LCR-5G with the OilQuick system demolishing a bridge structure under shutdown conditions_2A variety of attachments is used on the Hitachi 240-5G demolition excavator
Title: A variety of attachments is used on the Hitachi 240-5G demolition excavatorBradley Slooten, Equipment Asset Manager at Jet Demolition
Title: Bradley Slooten, Equipment Asset Manager at Jet Demolition
