When to use handheld pneumatic tools?

Handheld pneumatic tools provide a versatile option for various construction, demolition, and utilities jobs. The wide range of tools, including breakers, drivers, hammers, and drills, helps ensure you can find a tool that is the perfect match for whatever material you work with, from concrete to clay or metal. Here we look at some of the benefits pneumatic tools offer and discuss some typical applications where they can deliver the best results.

Choose a pneumatic tool if you want:

Productivity: Pneumatic tools have a high power-to-weight ratio. They are light in weight and compact to enable easy manoeuvrability yet deliver high performance in demanding applications. They can be safely used for up to eight hours, with lower exposure to vibration, helping operators achieve more with one tool. The simple design also contributes to ease of use and quick serviceability.

Ease of use: One of the most significant advantages of pneumatic tools is that you can use them at almost any site, under any conditions, all you need is a compressor. Mobile compressors come in a variety of sizes, are easy to transport between sites either by lifting or towing, and can power multiple tools at once for optimal efficiency.

Safety: Unlike many other handheld tools, pneumatic tools don’t need electricity, which makes them safer to operate over long periods, enhancing productivity. The risk of the tool malfunctioning due to overheating or short-circuiting is also minimal, and the possibility of electric shocks is eliminated as the tools are air-powered. Chicago Pneumatic’s range of tools has been developed with optimal safety and operator comfort in mind. The pneumatic breakers, for example, feature a Vibration Reduction System to make operating the tool more comfortable and an ergonomic palm shape to provide a more pleasant grip. Some models also feature a muffler to reduce the noise the operator is subjected to, with all S and SVR models complying with the European Union Noise Directive (2000/14/EC).

Weather resistance: The tools are designed to withstand the elements, such as dust, heat, cold and water, making them ideal for use even in the most demanding conditions. Compressed air is a versatile power source as it can be stored in cylinders and carried to the site, making it easy to access power under any conditions. Mobile compressors can also operate reliably in different harsh environments, including cold and damp sites. Pneumatic tools come with different accessories, such as a water separator and lubricators, to ensure optimal performance.

Choose the right tool for your application

To help ensure you can access the above benefits, you need to select the correct tool for each application. Tool choice will depend on the job at hand and the material you are working on. Different materials require different levels of performance: for example, a breaker that is ideal for working on asphalt will not be able to deliver good results when working on the hard concrete of an airport runway.

Demolition: For brick and concrete masonry or horizontal applications, it is best to choose a pneumatic chipping hammer. You can choose from a wide range of breakers, based on flexible pavements, highway rigid pavements or extra rigid pavement.