Excavator Breakers

Excavator breakers, also called hydraulic hammers or peckers, break concrete, rock and hard ground that a bucket can't dig. Our range covers 0.8 to 35 tonne excavators in two ranges: Economy breakers for occasional work, and Professional breakers, with a silenced box-type housing and auto-lube, for continuous heavy rock work.

Breaker Excavator size Oil flow Chisel Impact energy (Economy / Professional)
0.8–2.5 tonne breaker 0.8–2.5 tonnes 15–25 l/min 40mm 203 / 203 joules
1.2–2 tonne breaker 1.2–2 tonnes 20–30 l/min 45mm 290 / 290 joules
2.5–4.5 tonne breaker 2.5–4.5 tonnes 25–50 l/min 53mm 320 / 320 joules
4–7 tonne breaker 4–7 tonnes 40–70 l/min 68mm 509 / 690 joules
6–9 tonne breaker 6–9 tonnes 50–90 l/min 75mm 664 / 900 joules
11–16 tonne breaker 11–16 tonnes 80–110 l/min 100mm 1,549 / 2,100 joules
18–26 tonne breaker 18–26 tonnes 120–180 l/min 140mm 3,098 / 4,200 joules
28–35 tonne breaker 28–35 tonnes 180–240 l/min 155mm 4,794 joules (Economy only)

Breakers for machines up to 4.5 tonnes are also grouped as mini digger breakers. Not sure which size you need? Our guide on what size breaker you need explains how to match a breaker to your excavator's weight and oil flow, or send us your machine details and we'll recommend one.

Ground hard but not solid rock? On compacted ground, hardcore and frozen ground, an excavator ripper loosens it for your bucket with no hydraulics needed.

Clearing up after you've broken it out? An excavator selector grab sorts and loads concrete, rubble and rock. Or browse all our excavator attachments.
Skip to results list
8 items

How a Hydraulic Breaker Works

A hydraulic breaker uses oil from your excavator's hammer circuit to drive a piston inside the breaker body. The piston strikes the top of the chisel hundreds of times a minute, and each blow drives the chisel into the material and cracks it. You hold the chisel on the work with steady pressure from the boom, and the breaker does the hitting.

Economy or Professional?

  • Economy: for occasional or lower-volume work, plant hire and non-professional users. It keeps the cost down without giving up essential breaking performance. 12-month warranty. Sizes from 0.8 to 35 tonnes in our range.
  • Professional: for continuous heavy rock work. A box-type housing silences the breaker and protects it from the elements, auto-lube keeps it greased, and adjustable flow lets you tune impact frequency and hit energy. 2-year warranty. Sizes from 0.8 to 26 tonnes in our range.

From the 4–7 tonne size upwards, the Professional model also hits harder: 690 joules against 509 on the 4–7 tonne size, 900 joules against 664 on the 6–9 tonne size, 2,100 joules against 1,549 on the 11–16 tonne size, and 4,200 joules against 3,098 on the 18–26 tonne size.

Choosing the Right Size

Start with your excavator's operating weight, then check its hammer circuit can supply the breaker's oil flow:

If your machine sits where two sizes overlap, choose by oil flow and how hard the material is. Our guide on what size breaker you need covers it in detail.

Hydraulics and Fitment

Every breaker runs off a hammer circuit, the auxiliary hydraulic service used for breakers. Running a breaker outside its oil flow range hurts performance and can damage it, so check your machine's flow and pressure first. To confirm fitment, send us:

  • Your excavator make, model and operating weight
  • Your quick hitch make and model, if fitted
  • Pin diameter, pin centres and dipper width
  • Your hammer circuit flow and pressure, or photos of the connections

Our guide on how to measure an excavator for a new bucket shows how to take the pin measurements.

Using a Breaker Safely

  • Keep people well clear of the working area, as chips and debris can fly.
  • Hold the chisel square to the surface with steady down-pressure before you start breaking.
  • Don't fire the breaker unless the chisel is pressed against the material, and never use it to lever or lift.
  • Damp down concrete and stone as you work. Breaking creates silica dust, so follow HSE guidance on construction silica.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size breaker do I need for a 3 tonne digger?

The 2.5–4.5 tonne breaker, which needs 25–50 l/min of oil flow at 90–120 bar and drives a 53mm chisel.

What size breaker do I need for a 13 tonne excavator?

The 11–16 tonne breaker, which needs 80–110 l/min at 150–170 bar and drives a 100mm chisel.

What's the difference between a breaker and a hydraulic hammer?

Nothing. They're two names for the same attachment, and you'll also hear them called peckers or rock breakers.

Can I fit a breaker to my mini digger?

Yes, if it has a hammer circuit with enough oil flow. See our mini digger breakers for 0.8 to 4.5 tonne machines.

How long does delivery take?

Usually 7 to 10 working days, as each breaker is confirmed to suit your machine. Ask us if you need one sooner.