SEAL, CROSS

136 336 28A SEAL, CROSS Located deep inside the main body of the rock drifter, the crosshead acts as a guide for the piston assembly. Its primary job is to absorb side-loading forces and maintain straight-line movement as the piston cycles. This precise guidance is essential for directing the full impact energy squarely onto the shank adapter and down the drill string.

When a crosshead wears, it develops excessive play. This misalignment causes the piston to strike off-center, which significantly reduces drilling penetration rates and can lead to uneven wear on the drill bit. Continued operation with a worn crosshead will accelerate damage to the piston, cylinder, and front seals, risking a major drifter failure and unplanned downtime.

A drop in drilling performance or unusual mechanical noise from the drifter can point to a worn crosshead. During a standard drifter rebuild, always inspect this component for scoring, cracks, or excessive clearance. Replacing it as soon as wear is evident is a small investment to protect the entire impact mechanism from much more expensive damage.