Using the BMS Micro-Blaster for Trail Work
Beckley, Bob . 2005. Using the BMS Micro-Blaster for Trail Work. 0567 2338. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 6 p.
Describes the use of a low-energy demolition device, the BMS Micro-Blaster, to break rocks weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Because the Micro-Blaster does not use high explosives, it can be operated by persons who are not licensed or certified blasters. A hole 5/16 of an inch in diameter needs to be drilled just 9 inches deep into the rock, allowing portable rotary hammer drills to do the job. During trail construction or maintenance, this device can be used to shape rock walls or steps or to split rocks to a size that can be handled more easily.
Keywords: rock breaking, rock drilling, rocks, trail tools
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