In a nearby Cleveland construction site, I found the opportunity to snap the following picture that shows fluid power being used in demolition...

...why not just use a wrecking ball??

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tlazar,

Also, what types of differences in the equipment are there in Demolition applications vs. Construction ones? ...more "heavy duty"?

Here is another image:

This machine appears to use shears where as it can cut into the side of buildings shear through rheo bar and structural steal more manouvreable cost effective and also has the ability to confine the demolition work to a more structured approach when its time to pick up what has been pulled away

Yes, you are right about the use of the shears...the operator seems to have more/a greater deal of "control" of where the debris is falling.

Is there any special "heavy duty"-type of rating or special equipment that makes this seemingly normal-looking front-end loader more equipped to participate in this activity?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tlazar,

...of course, the term "control" about the debris is a very loose term as the image below shows!

Youch!!! the operator isnt very good with the machine.There is no special rating that I am aware of for this tool.Simply one attachment has been replaced with another,very common in construction/demolition and also mining.

I stopped to take some videos today of this great demolition scene that Tom has been talking about. They really do show the amazing power of hydraulics!

You can see them on our Fluid Power & Engineering Blog:

http://fluidpowertalk.blogspot.com/2008/04/talk-about-power-of-hydraulics.html

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paul J. Heney,

And some more pictures, just for fun ...

Photo 2.

Photo 3.

Photo 4.

Photo 5.

Photo 6.

Photo 7.

Photo 8. Great view of the telescopic cylinders.