Hammer protection system and method

A hydraulic hammer is provided. The hydraulic hammer includes a fluid inlet configured to receive a pressurized fluid for running the hydraulic hammer and a fluid outlet for discharging hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic hammer. A bypass passage fluidly connects the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the bypass passage has a bypass inlet fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and a bypass outlet fluidly connected to the fluid outlet. An automatic shut-off valve is disposed in the bypass passage between the bypass inlet and the bypass outlet and is configured to open or close the bypass passage. The automatic shut-off valve is configured to open the bypass passage under pressure of the pressurized fluid on continuous running of the hydraulic hammer for a set time to stop the hammer.