ROCK EXCAVATION BY HYDRAULIC SPLITTER

WHEN BLASTING IS NOT FEASIBLE, A HYDRAULIC SPLITTER CAN BE USED IN A PREDRILLED HOLE. ONE TYPE OF SPLITTER IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL; IT UTILIZES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE EXERTED ON A PISTON TO WHICH IS ATTACHED A TAPERED PLUG. THE PLUG IS FORCED BETWEEN TWO SPECIAL HARDENED FEATHERS AND THE RESULTING SIDEWARD FRACTURES THE ROCK. WHEN THE CONTROL VALVE IS REVERSED, THE PLUG IS WITHDRAWN OUT OF THE HOLE AND INTO THE TOOL BODY READY FOR ANOTHER BREAK. HOWEVER, THERE ARE THREE SIZES OF SPLITTERS AVAILABLE---THE LARGEST IN EXCESS OF 5 IN. DIAMETER.