With the new car technology advancing at a rapid pace, it is crucial that your rescue tools are maintained for peak performance. Let's take a look at how to achieve that.
Tool Inspection
When it comes to the maintenance for your extrication tools the first step is to visually inspect the tools for leaks, abnormal wear or deformities in the cutting surfaces or the spreader arms and you want to make sure that all guards are in place and in good condition and the battery is fully charged.
Next is the function check, operate the tools ensuring smooth operation from the closed to the fully open position around 5 or 6 times while listening for any unusual noises and that the relief valves are operating and check the operation of the control valve that when released the control valve returns to the neutral position, once complete replace battery with a fully charged battery.
Service steps
Preventative maintenance should be performed annually by a Hurst Jaws of Life certified technician as referenced in the NFPA1937 standard. The Technician utilizes specialized diagnostic equipment to check the state of health of your eDRAULIC tools and make the necessary adjustments.
The annual maintenance includes the following.
- Cutters/Combi’s Remove blades clean and resurface blades apply the recommended grease and reinstall, tighten the pivot bolt nut to the proper specification.
- Spreader arms removed cleaned apply grease to the arms and reinstall.
- Inspect ram and check claws make sure they rotate.
- Force test all tools.
- Change oil in tools every 3 years.
Let's Talk Tool Maintenance: Essential Maintenance Tips for HURST Jaws of Life
With vehicle technology evolving faster than ever, stronger materials, new structural designs, and complex safety features, your rescue tools need to be ready to meet every challenge. Peak performance starts with proactive care. Here’s how to keep your extrication tools rescue ready when lives are on the line.
Step One: Visual Inspection
Before every shift or deployment, take a few minutes to visually inspect each tool. You’re looking for:
- Leaks around the case and front end of tool
- Signs of wear or damage on cutting surfaces and spreader arms
- Deformities or misalignments that could affect performance
- Guard integrity: Make sure all safety guards are in place and undamaged
- Battery Status: Always start with a fully charged battery
This simple visual check can help you catch small issues before they become mission- critical failures.
Step Two: Functional Check
Once your tools look good, it’s time to run them through a quick function test:
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Operate each tool 5-6 times from fully closed to fully open
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Listen closely: any unusual noises could signal internal issues
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Check relief valves: listen for the activation of the relief valves to ensure they are working properly
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Test control valves: when you release the control, it should return smoothly to the neutral position
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Swap in a fresh battery before heading out
These checks ensure your tools not only power up but perform exactly how you expect every time.
Step Three: Annual Preventative Maintenance
Even the best daily checks can’t replace a full annual service. Per NFPA 1937 standards, your HURST Jaws of Life tools should be serviced once a year by a HURST-certified technician. Why? Because these experts use specialized diagnostic equipment to assess your tool’s health and ensure every component is ready for real-world rescue scenarios.
What the Annual Service Includes:
- Cutters/Combi-tools: Blades are removed, cleaned, resurfaced, greased, reinstalled, and the pivot bolt nut is tightened to specification
- Spreader arms: Removed, cleaned, greased, and reinstalled for optimal movement
- Rams: Inspected thoroughly, especially the claws, checked for smooth rotation
- Force testing: Each tool is tested under load to ensure it’s performing to rated specs
- Hydraulic oil: Changed every 3 years to maintain internal performance and cooling
Why It Matters
You depend on their tools to cut through twisted metal; pry open crushed frames and save lives. There’s no room for malfunction, delay, or doubt. A well-maintained HURST Jaws of Life tool is a firefighter’s best partner when everything’s on the line.
Don’t wait for failure to find a fault, keep your gear in top shape and stay rescue-ready.
Need to schedule your annual service?
Reach out to your local authorized HURST Jaws of Life service provider and ensure your equipment is certified, tested, and ready to respond.
