Pneumatic hammer ZČ 300

About the sound

Manufactured at the Prvomajska factory in Zagreb in 1956, it remained in use in the old locomotive workshops in Ljubljana until 1999. It is located in the former forge area of the old locomotive workshops in Ljubljana.
The hammer was used to forge larger and thicker parts for steam locomotives and wagons, such as driving motion parts, brake-rigging for steam locomotives, individual parts of buffers, various parts for couplings, etc.
Pneumatic hammers are actually spring hammers but with pneumatic shock absorption; the air column in the working cylinder takes the role of a steel spring.
The ZČ 300 is a two-cylinder pneumatic hammer with the following advantages: the intensity of blows can be controlled without changing the rotation speed of the drive engine and the control system allows both successive and single blows. The control system allows holding the hammer in the upper position, or continual pressure from the hammer on the anvil during the idling run.
Sound: By switching on the electric motor, the crank mechanism starts the compressor's piston. By moving the pedal or arm we open the directional control valve and the compressed air drives the hammer, which starts striking the anvil.


Sound level: 88,4 dB

Sound recordist: Dušan Oblak
Photographer: Neža Renko
Video recordist: Barbara Grilc