The Many Faces of Brokk Operators: Felix

The Many Faces of Brokk Operators: Felix

Ever heard of the saying ‘’when one door closes, another one opens’’? For Felix Harling, that is exactly what happened, and in short, how his career as a Brokk Operator started. In 2020, right at the start of the pandemic, he, like many others, was laid off from his job as an Industrial Worker.

With little experience but an undeniable interest in machines, Harling was offered an opportunity to work as a Demolition Worker, following in his brother’s footsteps.

Initially, Harling’s day-to-day included more ‘’light’’ demolition work, focusing on learning the basics and getting hands-on experience. But after just one and a half years, Harling was given an opportunity to become a Brokk Operator and perform more heavy demolition jobs, and that’s exactly what he’s been doing since.

• Name:  Felix Harling
• Location:  Arvika, Sweden
• Age:  27 years old
• Profession: Demolition Worker/Rock Drilling
• Years of experience:  4
• Company:  BMJ Betonghåltagning & Entreprenad

Flexibility impacts efficiency

Harling says the list of benefits of using Brokk demolition robots is long, but that if he had to choose one main advantage that impacts his workday it would be the flexible nature of Brokk robots. ‘’Thanks to the big variety of attachments, the Brokk robots are very flexible, and it becomes possible to adapt to different types of demolition work,’’ said Harling.

Harling highlights how Brokk robots facilitate flexibility in the type of work he can do. ‘’Everything from lighter demolition like plaster walls to heavier demolition like fracturing of rock and concrete crushing is possible.’’

Rock drilling in confined spaces

Harling recounts a memorable experience in the beginning of his career as a Brokk Operator. The Brokk robot was placed on a platform that was lifted with a crane to drill hundreds of holes in a concrete wall. Certainly a challenging task in many ways.

Harling describes a few of these challenges: The platform is moving. You need to plan the work to place the platform strategically in order to reach in such a way that you can drill as many holes as possible. The lifting chains were in the way, and the environment was far from ideal.

‘’I’ve used the Brokk robot for drilling holes for hydraulic fracturing, pretensions, grouting. I have been in tunnels, hydropower plants, under bridges and so on,’’ said Harling. ‘’The Brokk robot is perfect to use when there is no room for traditional rock drilling equipment.’’

Safety even in tough environments

‘’It is possible to make your way forward even in tough environments, like in steep hills since you’re not bound to the machine,’’ said Harling.

You can operate the robot from a safe distance which gives you access to areas that can otherwise be hard to reach or even hazardous.

 

When comparing Brokk robots to traditional demolition equipment, he says that there simply is no comparison to be drawn. “It is better from an ergonomic perspective as well as eliminating your exposure to vibrations.” Operators know this to be an unfortunate risk when operating handheld equipment.

Time-saving and cost-effective

Harling recalls an experience that confirmed what he already knew: that Brokk robots stand out from other demolition equipment.

He describes a demolition project that took place at a hydropower plant where there was a change in the scope of the project. One of the existing concrete pillars that was supposed to be reinforced was in worse condition than expected and a quick decision was made; it was to be demolished.

‘’Instead of waiting for a high reach excavator to be established at site, we decided to use the BROKK 500,’’ recalls Harling. ‘’The Brokk was lifted to the top of the pillar (15 meters high) and then I hammered myself down. The work took approximately 100 hours (800 m3 of concrete) and saved the project significant downtime and costs.’’

A truly consistent robot

It feels like you are united with the Brokk. It’s like it’s an extension of myself, said Harling. He describes a sense of confidence and control that comes with operating Brokk remote-controlled robots. Operating the Brokk robot comes as natural as if it was a part of myself, continues Harling.

‘’You know where all the functions are and how it will behave when operating it.’’ Operators like Harling find it reassuring to know exactly how the robot will perform on any job. Since safety, flexibility and consistency become synonymous with Brokk remote-controlled robots, Harling says that the only thing that becomes a challenge in his day-to-day is to remain eager to demolish and eager to learn on the job.