Hydraulic hammer (Hydraulic Hammer Breaker) is used to be mounted on excavators and skid steer loaders. It can extend the functionality of your machine and is mainly used to break concrete, rock, soil, and clay into smaller shapes. Compared with gasoline or pneumatic breakers, hydraulic hammers are more cost-effective, have a wider range of applications, and are also more convenient.
At MMS INDUSTRIAL, our Hydraulic Hammer Breaker is engineered to deliver exactly this kind of reliable, high-impact performance — built for skid steer loaders and designed for the demands of real job sites.
How Does a Hydraulic Hammer Work?
The hammer operates on the principle of Pascal's law, which states that applying a force to a confined fluid transmits uniformly in all directions throughout the fluid. Since hydraulic oil is incompressible, it delivers instant power transfer with minimal loss.
Hydraulic hammers work by converting hydraulic power into mechanical energy, which is then transferred to a chisel or tool bit attached to the end of the hammer. When the tool bit strikes the surface being demolished, the impact breaks up the material into smaller pieces.
Here's the cycle step by step:
- High-pressure hydraulic fluid is pumped into the hammer's cylinder
- A piston inside the cylinder moves back and forth
- The piston drives the chisel downward, delivering the impact stroke
- At the point of impact, the main valve shifts and the pressure from the upper chamber is released, enabling the upper stroke to take place
- The cycle repeats at rates ranging from 500 to 1,200 blows per minute
Most hydraulic hammers come with fully enclosed housing over their parts — not only to protect them from other materials but to ensure they last longer. To increase the safety of the equipment to which the hydraulic hammer is attached, the models include shock absorbers at the top that absorb all the impact and recoil energies.
Key Components of a Hydraulic Hammer
There are two primary types of hydraulic hammers, each with different valve designs — one uses an inner valve for movement, while the second uses an outer valve. The internal parts are mostly the same in both designs.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Control Valve & Piston | The only two moving parts. The valve rotates to control oil flow direction; the piston moves up and down to drive the chisel. |
| Head Cap | Contains nitrogen gas critical to the hammer's performance. Steady gas pressure in the accumulator absorbs system spikes and helps generate power. |
| Nitrogen Accumulator | Stores energy and cushions the hammer's recoil on the carrier. Optimum working pressure is typically around 1.4–1.6 MPa (approximately 14–16 bar). |
| Chisel | Connects to the hammer and performs the actual crushing or breaking of material. |
| Chisel Pin | Keeps the chisel in place during impact. |
| Front Cover | Secures the chisel and chisel pin. |
| Bush | Provides wear resistance and protects the frame connecting the chisel; prevents outside dirt and debris from entering the unit. |
| Through Bolts | Hold the head cap and cylinder together. |
| Shock Absorbers | Mounted at the top to absorb recoil energies and protect the carrier machine. |
Hydraulic hammer grease lubricates the chisel to keep the point in peak working order. Insufficient lubrication can shorten the life of the front cap, the chisel pins, and the chisel point — so greasing intervals should never be skipped.
Hydraulic Hammer Size Classes
Hydraulic hammer weights, sizes, and production speeds differ depending on the specific application. Using the optimal hammer type is crucial for achieving top efficiency for each job.
Mini Hammers
These small breaker designs work well for indoor renovation projects, minor patch jobs, and fence-post digging. Their low impact and compact size make them more efficient and much easier to handle than larger models. Working weights typically range from 400 to 1,200 lbs. Impact energy: up to 1,200 ft-lbs (1,627 Joules).
Medium Hammers
Medium-class designs are the most common hammer type and are ideal for jobs requiring frequent hits and high power — large concrete jobs, utility projects, and breaking down large boulders. Working weights on medium-class hammer attachments are generally between 1,900 and 3,700 lbs. Impact energy: 1,200–4,000 ft-lbs (1,627–5,423 Joules).
Large Hammers
Large-class hydraulic hammers deliver powerful hits with higher impact and less frequency than smaller models. These designs typically work better for large excavation, mining, and demolition projects. Working weights usually range from 5,000 to 7,500 lbs. Impact energy: exceeds 4,000 ft-lbs (5,423 Joules).
Critical sizing note: The breaker must be sized properly for both the work it will do and the carrier on which it will be mounted. This is the most critical factor in choosing the breaker size. If you choose the wrong hydraulic breaker for your machine, it can cause a loss of $5,000 to $20,000 per year — through reduced operating efficiency, increased equipment wear, and excessive fuel consumption.
Impact Energy: The Most Critical Specification
Impact energy is the most critical specification for hydraulic hammers, measured in joules (J) or foot-pounds (ft-lbs). Comparing breakers based on power ratings in product literature can be challenging — when specifications don't indicate an AEM-certified rating, the figures are essentially manufacturer estimates and lack a concrete basis for comparison.
Match the hammer's impact energy to the material hardness:
- Soft materials (asphalt, soft concrete): Lower energy, higher frequency
- Medium materials (standard concrete, limestone): Medium energy
- Hard materials (granite, basalt, reinforced concrete): Higher energy, lower frequency
Matching the right hydraulic breaker to a job is a balancing act of considerations, including the machine's operating weight, hydraulic flow characteristics (operating pressure, hydraulic flow rate, auxiliary flow rate), overall lift capacity, and boom design geometry.
Chisel Bit Types
Hydraulic breakers can use various chisel tools to perform different breaking actions. Because chisels make direct contact with the materials that need crushing, they wear out over time. Choosing the appropriate chisel type for your application can improve your hammer's overall lifespan.
Moil Points The most versatile tools to handle any general breaking application — and come standard with many hammers. Moil points are ideal for medium to hard rocks and work well for breaking up concrete with rebar.
Wedge Points Perfect for flat concrete breaking, bedrock excavation, ditch excavations, and operations on the face of a slope.
Blunt Chisel Excellent for demolishing oversized rocks, slabs, and heavy boulders. Among the most durable chisel types, standing up to the harshest conditions.
Conical Point Ideal for various multipurpose applications, including breaking up hard stone, extra-hard rock, or reinforced concrete.
Flat Chisel Suitable for precision and controlled breaking — perfect for cutting through concrete and rock where accuracy matters.
Primary Applications
The reliability and power of hydraulic hammers and breakers ensure that projects are completed efficiently and safely, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. Hydraulic hammers are most commonly used across:
Construction & Demolition In the construction industry, hydraulic hammers are indispensable for various phases, including demolition, site preparation, and road surface excavation. They have both increased safety and efficiency when breaking down large concrete structures, becoming an integral part of most demolition processes.
Mining & Quarrying These tools are vital in mining operations, where they help break rock and extract valuable materials. Whether you're working on a large-scale quarrying operation or a smaller demolition project, these tools offer the performance and durability needed to get the job done right.
Road Construction & Utility Work Hydraulic breakers play a crucial role in demolishing concrete, asphalt, or stone structures and are commonly used in road construction due to their high performance.
Recycling & Processing In recycling facilities, hydraulic hammers assist in processing concrete and asphalt for reuse — an increasingly important role as sustainability demands grow on job sites.
Landscaping Hydraulic hammers are among the most critical tools across demolition, mining, landscaping, and construction sites — including for breaking up terrain, removing rock outcroppings, and preparing ground for development.
Key Advantages Over Air- and Gas-Powered Models
Because hydraulic hammers are more cost-effective, versatile, and productive than gas- or air-powered models, they have become the dominant choice industry-wide. Here's why:
- Productivity: They can increase work site production with less manual labor
- Fewer parts: A hydraulic hammer eliminates the need for an air compressor and long hoses
- Efficiency: Hydraulic equipment has improved fuel efficiency over air-powered models
- Power: These hammers provide significantly more impact force over traditional designs
- Safety: Hydraulic hammers make less noise and cause fewer accidents than manually operated hammers
- Environmentally friendly: They produce less noise and fewer pollutants, and are preferred in places sensitive to vibration and noise where a vibratory hammer might damage existing structures
Hydraulic Compatibility Requirements
For the MMS INDUSTRIAL Hydraulic Hammer Breaker — or any hydraulic breaker — both flow rate and pressure must meet the breaker's specifications. The performance of a hydraulic hammer depends heavily on the hydraulic pressure and flow rate supplied by the carrier's system:
- Hydraulic Pressure: Higher pressure produces a more powerful impact force, allowing the hammer to break more rigid materials
- Flow Rate: The flow rate determines the piston cycle speed. A higher flow rate increases the number of impacts per minute, enhancing productivity. An insufficient flow rate leads to sluggish performance and reduced impact energy
Always verify your skid steer loader's auxiliary hydraulic output against the breaker's required operating pressure and flow range before mounting.
Maintenance: What You Need to Know
By selecting equipment that matches your application, maintaining it according to manufacturer guidelines, and operating it correctly, hydraulic hammers deliver reliable performance and long service life. The most important maintenance priorities are:
Nitrogen Pressure Checks — The accumulator's optimum working pressure varies according to the hydraulic breaker model and external conditions. Typically, pressure should be around 1.4–1.6 MPa (approximately 14–16 bar). Never operate with incorrect nitrogen charge.
Chisel Condition — Inspect the chisel point regularly for wear, cracking, or mushrooming. A worn chisel dramatically reduces breaking efficiency and can damage the front cap.
Greasing Intervals — Grease lubricates the chisel to keep the point in peak working order. Insufficient lubrication shortens the life of the front cap, chisel pins, and chisel point.
Hydraulic Oil & Filter — Change hydraulic oil and filters on schedule. Start by draining old oil, removing the filter, and replacing it with a new one. Fill the system with fresh hydraulic oil and check for leaks.
Enclosed Housing Inspection — Check that the fully enclosed housing remains undamaged. The housing protects internal parts from debris and ensures longer service life.
Summary: Choosing the Right Hydraulic Hammer
Success with these tools depends on understanding the key characteristics:
| Factor | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Impact Energy | Must match material hardness and project requirements |
| Weight Matching | Hammer weight should be properly proportioned to carrier capacity |
| Hydraulic Compatibility | Both flow rate and pressure must meet breaker specifications |
| Regular Maintenance | Particularly nitrogen pressure checks and chisel condition |
| Proper Operation | Correct technique prevents damage and maximizes productivity |
Hydraulic hammers combine power, versatility, and efficiency for breaking hard materials across construction, mining, demolition, and utility industries. For skid steer loader applications, the MMS INDUSTRIAL Hydraulic Hammer Breaker is built to deliver all of these characteristics on the job sites where it matters most.