Big Reputation, Big Hammer
In the relatively close-knit world of the demolition industry, AF Decom has something of a reputation. The company, part of AF Groepen which is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, is known for using big machines equipped with big attachments to tackle big projects. Those projects include the decommissioning and demolition of offshore oil platforms, the ship wrecking and salvage on the 210 metre Russian military ship – The Murmansk - and, more recently, the demolition of the Nylandsveien Bridge in the company’s native Norway.
The company, the largest demolition contractor in Scandinavia, operates some truly impressive mobile equipment including a 200 tonne modified Hitachi EX1200 excavator known as The Hulk, and a scrap shear weighing in at a massive 25 tonnes. AF Decom is also known to be highly demanding in its selection of equipment that will be required to operate in some of the most arduous and exacting environments. So that fact that the company operates a fleet of more than a dozen Rammer hydraulic hammers speaks volumes for the power and reliability of the brand.
And that fleet has recently swelled still further with the delivery of a new Rammer 7013. Weighing in at 6,200 kg and suitable for carriers in the 60 to 100 tonne operating weight range, the 7013 is the largest model in the Rammer product line and is the figurehead of the Large Range.
The Rammer 7013, which has gone straight to work on the demolition of the Nylandsvein Bridge, joins an AF Decom fleet already expanded by a Rammer 3288 and five Rammer 4099 units delivered since December 2011.
“We have run a Rammer G130 for the past 10 years so we know just how powerful a big Rammer hammer can be,” says site manager Erik Skogheim. “And the fact that the G130 is still in use proves just how durable Rammer breakers are. So when we needed an additional big breaker for the fleet, the Rammer 7013 was the obvious choice.”
Skogheim reports that the Rammer 7013 is an ideal match for his company’s Caterpillar excavator fleet and is already proving its worth on the Nylandsvein Bridge contract where it is breaking out heavily reinforced foundations.
Although it is still early days for the new addition to the AF Decom equipment fleet, Skogheim is already enjoying significant benefits.
“The Rammer 7013 is extremely powerful and the central lubrication system ensures that the upper and lower bushings are kept well lubricated for a longer breaker and tool life,” he concludes.
“We have a total of 13 Rammer hammers now, all purchased through local dealer SMC Norge AS and we know that the parts and aftersales service is every bit as reliable as the breakers themselves.”
