Hydraulic Breakers

A hydraulic breaker, also called a hydraulic hammer, rock breaker or, informally, a “hoe ram” or “pecker”, is a percussion tool mounted on an excavator, backhoe loader, skid steer, demolition robot or fixed boom. It uses hydraulic oil from the carrier to drive a heavy piston that strikes a steel tool, called the chisel or moil, hundreds or thousands of times per minute. Each blow transmits energy into the material, breaking concrete, rock, asphalt and masonry.

Hydraulic breakers are among the most widely used excavator attachments. They are found in demolition, road work, trenching in rock, quarries and mines, foundations, and the maintenance of industrial plants. Sizes range from small hammers for mini excavators and robots, weighing less than 100 kilograms, to very heavy units for large excavators used in quarries and mass excavation.

Brief History of Hydraulic Breakers

Before hydraulic breakers, rock and concrete were broken with hand tools, pneumatic jackhammers, drop balls and explosives. Pneumatic breakers mounted on machines were used, but they needed a separate compressor and were limited in power.

The hydraulic breaker for carriers was developed in Germany in the 1960s. Krupp, in Essen, patented a rig-mounted hydraulic breaker in 1963 and presented its first model, the HM 400, at the Hannover fair in 1967. That business is today part of Epiroc. Other European manufacturers, including companies in Finland, France and Italy, soon developed their own designs, and the hydraulic breaker became a standard excavator attachment during the 1970s and 1980s. Later developments included silenced housings, automatic lubrication, energy recovery systems, protection against blank firing and electronic monitoring.

How a Hydraulic Breaker Works

Hydraulic supply. The breaker is connected to an auxiliary circuit on the carrier, usually controlled by a foot pedal or a button on the joystick. Oil flow and pressure determine the breaker’s power.
Piston and valve. A control valve directs oil to move the piston up and down. On the downstroke the piston strikes the top of the tool.
Accumulator and gas chamber. Many breakers use a nitrogen gas chamber or accumulator to store energy and smooth the hydraulic flow, adding force to each blow.
Tool. The chisel, moil point or blunt tool transmits the impact into the material. It is held in the lower part of the breaker by retaining pins and bushings.
Housing. The power cell sits inside a housing or bracket that protects it and connects it to the carrier. Closed housings reduce noise and protect the mechanism from dust and debris.
Lubrication. The tool and bushings need regular greasing. Many breakers have automatic lubrication systems mounted on the breaker or the carrier.

Types of Hydraulic Breakers

Side-Plate Breakers

The power cell is held between two steel plates bolted together. This is a simple, robust design often used on smaller and mid-sized carriers and in markets where cost is important.

Top-Type Breakers

The power cell is mounted in line with the arm, with a bracket on top. This design gives good control when breaking downwards and is common in rock and quarry work.

Box-Type (Silenced) Breakers

The power cell is fully enclosed in a housing with dampening elements. Box-type breakers are quieter, better protected and widely used in urban and demolition work.

Breakers for Compact Carriers

Light breakers for mini excavators, skid steers, backhoe loaders and demolition robots, used in building work, landscaping and interior demolition.

Breaker Booms

Fixed or pedestal-mounted booms with a breaker, used at crushers and grizzly screens in quarries and mines to break oversized rocks.

Size Classes

Class	Typical carrier weight	Typical use
Light	up to about 6 t	Interior demolition, small trenches, landscaping
Medium	about 6 to 20 t	Road work, trenching, general demolition
Heavy	about 20 to 50 t	Rock breaking, foundations, heavy demolition
Very heavy	above about 50 t	Quarries, mines, mass excavation in rock

Figures are indicative. Breakers are usually specified by carrier weight range, operating weight and impact energy class.

Tools and Accessories

The main working tools are the chisel for trenching and splitting, the moil point for concrete and hard rock, the blunt tool for breaking oversized boulders, and wide spade or asphalt cutters for road work. Accessories include automatic lubrication units, quick-change tool pins, dust protection, water spray kits for dust suppression and underwater kits that supply compressed air to the lower part of the breaker.

Breaker or Other Methods?

Blasting. In large rock excavations and quarries, blasting is usually cheaper per cubic metre. Breakers are used where vibration, noise, flyrock or permits make blasting impractical.
Crushers and pulverisers. For reinforced concrete demolition in cities, crushers are quieter and separate the steel, while breakers are better for thick unreinforced concrete and rock.
Drum cutters and rock saws. Where precise profiles or low vibration are needed, for example near existing structures, drum cutters can replace or complement a breaker.
Hydraulic splitters and expansive agents. These are used for very sensitive locations where impact must be avoided entirely.

Main Manufacturers

Epiroc, which continues the Krupp breaker line and also owns Stanley Infrastructure since 2024.
Rammer, the Finnish breaker brand of Sandvik.
Montabert, a French manufacturer of hydraulic breakers.
Indeco, an Italian specialist in breakers and demolition tools.
Furukawa and NPK, Japanese manufacturers with a strong presence worldwide.
Soosan and Everdigm, Korean breaker manufacturers.
Caterpillar, Komatsu and other excavator makers, which offer breakers under their own brands.

Main Uses of Hydraulic Breakers

Demolition of concrete structures, foundations and slabs.
Road work, including breaking asphalt and concrete pavements.
Trenching and excavation in rock for utilities and foundations.
Secondary breaking of oversized rock in quarries and mines.
Primary breaking in quarries where blasting is not allowed.
Scaling and trimming in tunnels.
Cleaning of furnaces, ladles and kilns in industrial plants.

Buying and Operating Tips

Match the carrier. Check the breaker’s recommended carrier weight, oil flow and pressure. An oversized breaker reduces stability and damages the carrier, while an undersized one works slowly and wears quickly.
Set the hydraulics correctly. Flow, pressure and back pressure must be within the breaker’s specifications. A dedicated breaker circuit with a return line to the tank is recommended.
Avoid blank firing. Striking without the tool in contact with the material damages the breaker. Many modern breakers have anti-blank firing systems.
Keep the tool at the right angle. Work with the tool perpendicular to the surface and do not use the breaker as a lever or for moving material.
Grease often. Tool lubrication is essential. Automatic systems reduce wear and downtime.
Break from the edge. Working near an edge and in short bursts is more productive than hammering in the middle of a large block.

Safety

Breakers generate noise, vibration, dust and flying fragments. Operators need hearing protection, dust control and a cab with suitable guarding, including a front screen. People must stay outside the working area. Before breaking, the location of buried utilities must be known, and the structure must be assessed for collapse risks. Hydraulic hoses, couplings and retaining pins must be inspected regularly, and the tool must never be changed while the system is under pressure. Underwater work requires special kits to protect the breaker. Vibration exposure for operators of small machines should be managed under local regulations.

Trends and Technology

Breakers are becoming quieter and more efficient, with improved housings, energy recovery and automatic adjustment of impact frequency to the material. Sensors and telematics record hours of use, working pressure and lubrication, allowing preventive maintenance and more accurate rental billing. Automatic lubrication and remote monitoring are common on large units. Demand for low-noise breakers is rising in cities, while quarries use large breakers and remote-controlled breaker booms to reduce blasting and improve safety.

Key Terms

Impact energy: the energy delivered by each blow of the piston.
Blows per minute: the frequency at which the piston strikes.
Chisel: a flat-tipped tool used for trenching and splitting.
Moil point: a pointed tool used on concrete and hard rock.
Blank firing: striking without the tool pressed against the material.
Breaker boom: a fixed boom with a breaker used at crushers and screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size breaker does my excavator need? Follow the breaker manufacturer’s recommended carrier weight range and check that the excavator’s oil flow and pressure match. The carrier dealer can confirm hydraulic settings.

What is the difference between a breaker and a jackhammer? A jackhammer is a hand-held tool, usually pneumatic, electric or hydraulic. A hydraulic breaker is much larger and is mounted on a machine.

Why do breakers need so much grease? The tool moves continuously in its bushings under high loads. Grease reduces wear and protects against dust and heat.

Can a hydraulic breaker work underwater? Yes, but only with an underwater kit that supplies compressed air to prevent water from entering the breaker.

Is a crusher better than a breaker for demolition? Crushers are quieter and produce less vibration, while breakers are more effective on rock and very hard or thick concrete.