Hydraulic Breaker for Demolition: Sizes, Bodies and Setup
Choose a hydraulic breaker for demolition by structure and carrier: 204 J to 29,700 J models for 1–55 t excavators, silent bodies for city sites, chisels and setup.
All buyer guides
A hydraulic breaker for demolition turns an excavator into a concrete-breaking tool: it cracks slabs, walls, columns and foundations so the debris can be loaded and the rebar cut out. The right size depends on two things, the thickness of the concrete and the excavator that will carry it. This guide matches each kind of demolition work to a LICH hydraulic breaker class, with published weights and impact energy, and covers body type, chisel choice and site setup.
Match the hydraulic breaker for demolition to the structure
| Demolition job | Excavator class | LICH models | Breaker weight | Impact energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior strip-out, floors, small slabs, footpaths | 1–5 t | LC-40, LC-45, LC-53 | 79–166 kg | 204–406 J |
| House slabs, walls, footings, light reinforced concrete | 6–12 t | LC-68, LC-75, LC-100 | 289–841 kg | 1,016–3,102 J |
| Commercial buildings, thick foundations, columns | 20–30 t | LC-140 and the 25–30 t models | 1,977 kg and up | 6,485 J and up |
| Heavy reinforced concrete, bridge piers, basements | 36–55 t | LC-175, LC-200 | 3,757–6,388 kg | 15,500–29,700 J |
Figures from the LICH model specifications, read on 22 October 2026. Every model is in the hydraulic breaker specifications chart.
Why size matters more in demolition
Concrete breaks best with a steady series of strong blows at the edge of the slab or wall. Too small a breaker skates across the surface and wastes time; too large a breaker overloads the carrier and can bring down more of the structure than planned. Pick a hydraulic breaker for demolition that sits inside your excavator’s weight class and circuit, then choose the heaviest blow that fits. Our guide to matching a hydraulic breaker to an excavator covers flow, pressure and bracket.
Choose the body of a hydraulic breaker for demolition
- Silent box-type: the housing encloses the breaker and dampens noise. It is the usual choice for urban demolition near homes, schools and hospitals. See how loud is a hydraulic breaker.
- Tower (top-mounted): a straight line from the arm to the chisel, useful for breaking down into floors and footings.
- Triangular side-mounted: short and light, easy to service, and good for reaching wall faces.
- Concentric: offered on seven models, including the LC-45 to LC-100 range used on smaller demolition jobs.
Chisel choice for a hydraulic breaker for demolition
A moil point concentrates the blow and starts cracks in thick concrete; a chisel (wedge) splits along a line and works well on slabs and walls. Our moil point guide and chisel and bit sizes list the tool for each model.
Site setup for a hydraulic breaker for demolition
- Plan the order. Break from the top down and from free edges inward.
- Work at the edge. Place the chisel a short distance in from the free edge of a slab, break, and step back along the line.
- Keep the tool square. Hold the chisel at right angles to the surface and keep down pressure on it; never use the breaker to pry or sweep.
- Cut the rebar. A breaker cracks the concrete; cut the exposed steel with shears or a torch before loading.
- Control dust and noise. Use water spray and the silent body where neighbours are close.
The hydraulic concrete breaker guide covers slab breaking in more detail, and how to use a hydraulic breaker covers operating habits.
Questions buyers ask
What size hydraulic breaker for demolition of a house?
Most house slabs, walls and footings are broken with a 6–12 t excavator, so the LC-68, LC-75 or LC-100 class, chosen by your excavator’s circuit.
Can a mini excavator breaker break concrete?
Yes, for thin slabs, paths and interior floors. The LC-40 to LC-53 deliver up to 1,100 blows per minute on 1–5 t machines.
Is a silent hydraulic breaker for demolition weaker?
No. The box housing reduces noise; impact energy is set by the breaker inside it.
Send us your excavator model, breaker-circuit flow and pressure, and the thickness of the concrete. We will recommend the LICH hydraulic breaker for demolition on your site and quote it with hoses and spare chisels.
Related reading: carrier-specific guides for a 1 ton, 3 ton and 40 ton excavator.
Keep Comparing
Compare more breaker models and buyer guides related to this topic.
