Anyone who works in the steel industry, in tunnel construction or in cement production knows the challenge: heat, dust, confined spaces and hard materials place equal demands on machines and operators. Standard solutions quickly reach their limits.
That's why TML doesn't just develop machines - it develops sophisticated system solutions. At the center is the UNIDACHS - a compact and telescopic working machine. What makes it really special, however, is its versatility: with the right attachments, the UNIDACHS can be transformed into a precise crusher, a robust drill or a sensitive gripper.
And in the middle of it all: a tool that symbolizes TML's philosophy - the ripper hook.
With a heat resistance of up to 1,400 °C, it can be used wherever other tools have long since given up. In casting ladles, converters or electric furnaces, it proves its worth every day when loosening and removing refractory material. The decisive factor here is that it works without the sensitive hydraulics at its tip. This means that it is fully operational even in extreme temperature ranges.
It should also be emphasized that the slag and skulls can be gently removed without damaging the brick lining.
The mechanical mode of operation applies targeted force to the material - without unnecessarily stressing the surrounding structure. In contrast to percussion tools, there is no hammering, but pressing, pushing and levering. The force is therefore mainly applied away from the material that is to be protected. The absence of vibrations helps maintain the permanent lining and prevent secondary damage.
The ripper hook is available in different versions - from the single tooth with replaceable tip to the double-armored model with additional ripper tooth. An optional quick-change system allows other tools, such as hammers, cutters or drills, to be fitted directly - with just two bolts.
Hydraulic breakers are used when it comes to crushing hard material quickly and efficiently. The models from TML cover a wide range of applications. With impact energies ranging from several hundred to over 3,000 joules, they reliably process slag residues, concrete, refractory excavated material and sprayed-on linings. The devices are designed to withstand the dusty and rough environment of steelworks, tunnels and mines for a long time. In most applications, the prevailing heat is not a problem.
At very high temperatures, however, pneumatic hammers are more likely to be used. These do not work hydraulically, but with compressed air - and can withstand extreme temperatures. This is a great advantage, especially in converters or electric furnaces. The hot furnaces do not have to cool down first, waiting times are eliminated. The result is significant time savings.
The disadvantage is that a powerful external compressed air system is required.
It's not always about rough work. Material often needs to be removed in a controlled manner or surfaces need to be profiled. This is where hydraulic drum-cutters come into play. The cutter-heads are fitted with wear-resistant teeth and are available as transverse or longitudinal drum-cutters, depending on the application.
Whether in blast furnace channels, tundishes or tunnel construction: with torques of up to 5,200 Nm and cutting forces of over 25,000 N, they remove even stubborn material residues quickly and precisely. Different sizes allow them to be used on both smaller and larger machines.
Powerful shredding is one of the key tasks in harsh environments, such as mines, tunnels, or demolition projects. Scrap is also cut up for melting in steelworks. TML offers various specialized attachments for this purpose - such as hydraulic shears or demolition grapples that can work their way through reinforced concrete with ease.
Hydraulic shears are designed to cut reinforcing steel or, for example, steel profiles and pipes with a diameter of up to 70 mm precisely and repeatedly. They have high cutting forces of over 1,000 kN in some cases and have robust cutting edges that can be replaced quickly.
Demolition grapples are primarily used in primary and secondary demolition - for example when breaking up reinforced concrete or preparing recyclable material. Thanks to their solid construction and high jaw closing force, they are also suitable for particularly stubborn applications.
Sorting grapples are also used where necessary, for example to pick up broken-out material. The role of this grapple provides functional support.
Classic buckets also have their place in the tool portfolio. There are numerous variants of backhoe buckets for the UNIDACHS - with and without teeth, for example, in sizes from 0.175 to 0.8 cubic meters. Special trench clearing buckets with a width of up to 2 meters are ideal for large-area applications, such as removing slag or levelling the ground.
A special highlight is the ripper bucket - a clever combination of bucket and tooth. It can both break out and pick up the loosened material without the need to change tools. This is a great advantage, especially in tight time slots or hard-to-reach areas.
![[Translate to English:] Abstichlochbohrkopf Closeup](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/9/csm_abstichlochbohrkopf_9231c73c3d.webp)
Some tools are so specialized that they are only used in very specific processes - but they are indispensable in those applications.
These include the various drilling systems:
For example, the tapping hole drill is mounted directly onto the ripper hook and drills precise holes in converter walls, using the arm´s rotary movement. The EBT drill for electric arc furnaces is self-driven, as it does not work in the rotation axis of the arm. It is designed for drilling the tap hole from below. Both systems work powerfully and safely and are adapted to the conditions in the customer's plant - depending on the application.
Another example: the porous plug pusher. It is used to remove porous plugs from casting ladles. TML offers different variants for this - clamped, bolted, or even self-locking. The latter stands on a tripod and locks into position hydraulically on the ripper hook while the operator controls it from a safe distance.
What all tools have in common: They can be mounted in just a few simple steps - often with a robust two-bolt system. This saves time, reduces downtime and makes the UNIDACHS extremely flexible in daily use.
Alternatively with a quick coupler, tools can be changed semi-automatically. To release the tool, the locking mechanism is released with a lever. When the new tool is picked up, it locks automatically by gravity. Each tool can be fitted with an adapter plate for this quick coupler.
This is an enormous advantage, especially in companies with several work cycles per shift.
The UNIDACHS is a powerful machine. But its true strength comes from the right combination of tool and application. TML not only supplies a simple product range - but a system: modular, powerful and made for extreme conditions. Whether for debricking a converter, profiling a tunnel, or removing cuttings: TML's attachment tools are developed precisely for these tasks - and can be individually adapted. This is how simple, reliable solutions are developed from complex requirements.
Are you planning a project with extreme conditions?
Then contact us - we will be happy to advise you on the optimum tool configuration for your UNIDACHS.