How to Choose the Right Hydraulic Breaker for Your Excavator?

Focusing solely on the price tag when investing in a hydraulic breaker can cost your business thousands of dollars in the long run. Choosing the wrong breaker can crack your excavator's boom, burn out your hydraulic pump, or halt your operations on site.

At HKM, with our industry experience, we have prepared this technical guide to help you choose the right breaker that fits your excavator like a glove. Here are the 4 technical criteria you need to watch out for.

1. The Golden Rule: Carrier Weight Matching

Every hydraulic breaker has an optimal weight range in which it operates efficiently. This is not just a suggestion; it is a physical necessity. The Carrier Weight specification in our catalogs is vital.

• If the Breaker is Too Light: Your excavator will apply excessive downforce on the breaker. This can crush the breaker body, snap the side bolts, and damage the mounting bracket.
• If the Breaker is Too Heavy: It destabilizes the excavator (tipping risk). Worse, the excessive load on the boom pins can lead to cracks in the boom structure and severe safety hazards.

2. The Hidden Hero: Hydraulic Oil Flow & Pressure

Most users only ask, "How many tons is this breaker?" However, the heart of the breaker is the Oil Flow (Liters/Minute) and Operating Pressure (Bar).

• Flow: Determines the striking frequency (speed). If your machine cannot supply the oil required by the breaker, the tool will strike slowly, lose power, and overheat.
• Pressure: Determines the impact energy (Joule). Insufficient pressure makes it impossible to break hard rock.

Tip: For efficient operation, back pressure in the return line must be low, and filters must be clean. Clogged filters can reduce breaker performance by up to 50%.

3. Breaker Selection Table by Excavator Class

The table below shows which class of breaker you should focus on based on your machine's tonnage:

4. Tool Selection: The Part That Delivers the Power

You chose the right breaker, but what about the tool (chisel)? Selecting the wrong tool causes you to waste 30% of the breaker's energy. At HKM, we offer 4 main tool types:

• a. Moil Point Tool: The most common tool. Ideal for general use, concrete breaking, road construction, and soft rock. High penetration capability.
• b. Chisel Tool (Wedge): Flat-ended (wedge-shaped). Effective in sedimentary/veined rocks and trenching. It spreads energy along a line and splits the rock.
• c. Pyramid Tool: Has a four-sided point. Used for harder concrete and medium-hard rock compared to the moil point.
• d. Blunt Tool: Flat-ended, does not drill. Used for shattering large rock blocks (like marble, granite) and secondary breaking. It breaks by impact shockwave.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is my hydraulic breaker overheating?
A: It is usually caused by excessive oil flow (L/min) from the excavator or low nitrogen gas pressure. Also, clogged filters and an insufficient hydraulic oil cooler can cause overheating. Oil temperature should not exceed 80°C.

Q: If I mount a 30-ton breaker on a 20-ton machine, will it break better?
A: No. Since your machine's hydraulic pump cannot supply the oil flow required by the larger breaker, the tool will strike very slowly and inefficiently. It also creates a serious safety risk by destabilizing your machine.

Q: Is the installation kit included in the price?
A: Generally, the breaker comes with a standard tool and hoses. However, the mounting bracket (top cap) specific to your machine and the hydraulic piping kit on the excavator must be configured separately.