Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer Preview

Bosch broke new naming records when it announced the RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer. I mean, it’s got to be good to be named Bulldog AND Xtreme AND Max. In actuality, we think it probably should have been named the Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Pitbull Super Xtreme Ultra Max Premium Vibration Control Rotary Hammer, but maybe we’re a bit more adventurous than the product managers over at Bosch (you know who you are!) We’re certainly more facetious. Bosch specifically designed the RH228VC to master both power and vibration control. As a result, the hammer – according to Bosch – delivers 40 percent more speed, 20 percent more power (2.4 ft lbs) and up to 30 percent less vibration (12 m/s2) than a majority of the other rotary hammers in its class.

Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer Preview

Bosch broke new naming records when it announced the RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer. I mean, it’s got to be good to be named Bulldog AND Xtreme AND Max. In actuality, we think it probably should have been named the Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Pitbull Super Xtreme Ultra Max 1-1/8″ SDS-Plus Premium Vibration Control Rotary Hammer, but maybe we’re a bit more adventurous than the product managers over at Bosch (you know who you are!) We’re certainly more facetious. Bosch specifically designed the RH228VC to master both power and vibration control. As a result, the hammer – according to Bosch – delivers 40 percent more speed, 20 percent more power (2.4 ft lbs) and up to 30 percent less vibration (12 m/s2) than a majority of the other rotary hammers in its class.


Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer Features

The Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer drills holes up to 1-1/8″ in diameter, which is very respectable. Bosch seems to have really rethought the design of this hammer to come out with something that excelled in a lot of areas. For one, they utilized a longer piston and impact bolt, and combined it with a precision-machined striker. This increased the hammer’s efficiency as measured by both power and speed. Since the drill does more with greater speed and less impacts, another fringe benefit is better durability. That’s less wear on the 8-amp motor.

The longer piston in the Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer also contributes to the better vibration control by creating a longer air cushion between the piston and the striker. Without going into the science too much, this softens the backstroke. Bosch then added internal counter-balance weights that throw in the reverse direction from the striker in order to offset vibration even further. The longer air cushion technology isn’t new, but it’s been proven to be effective. It was first used on the 1-5/8″ SDS-Max Combination Hammer which came out in Q1 of 2009. Overall this “active” vibration control is a far cry from simple handle cushion and isolation, which is what most of the competition uses.

Since this isn’t the first Bulldog Xtreme, the Bosch RH228VC continues to use familiar features like the unique HammerHooK system for innovative tool storage during the job. The Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer also offers variable speed operation (0-1,230 RPM under load) and three operating modes: hammer, drill + hammer, and drill only. The unique Vario-Lock SDS-plus chuck allows chisels to rotate to the optimum working angle. Additional features include Bosch’s patented rotating brush plate, for equal power in forward and reverse, patented 45° pivoting cord turret, integral clutch to minimize torque reaction and metal gear housing for ultimate jobsite durability.

The Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer can be purchased immediately through authorized tool distributors and home centers.

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