Silent Hydraulic Breaker: Noise Figures and 17 LICH Models
Why does one silent hydraulic breaker list 75 dB and another 119 dB? How to read noise figures, what the box really changes, and 17 LICH models by size.
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A silent hydraulic breaker puts the power cell inside a closed steel box, so less noise and dust escape on site. The difficult part is comparing noise claims: for machines of about the same size, one maker lists 75.6 dB and another lists 119 dB. This guide explains why those figures cannot be compared, shows what the box changes using one maker’s published pairs, and lists the LICH silent hydraulic breaker models by excavator class.
Why one silent hydraulic breaker says 75 dB and another 119 dB
We read the noise figures two makers publish for their silent models:
| Model | Carrier | Tool | Published noise | How the page labels it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takeuchi TKB-52S | 0.8–1.8 t | 36 mm | 119 dB | Guaranteed sound power level (LWA) |
| Beilite BLT-45C | 0.8–1.5 t | 45 mm | 75.6 dB | Noise level |
| Takeuchi TKB-302S | 3.4–8.0 t | 72 mm | 122 dB | Guaranteed sound power level (LWA) |
| Takeuchi TKB-802S | 7.0–12.5 t | 90 mm | 127 dB | Guaranteed sound power level (LWA) |
Sources: Takeuchi UK breaker specifications and the Beilite BLT-45C product page, read on 6 November 2026.
The first two rows are close in size but 43 dB apart. That gap equals more than 20,000 times the sound energy, which no housing could explain. The two numbers are most likely different measurements. Sound power (LWA) describes all the noise the machine emits, whatever the distance. A sound level meter reading describes one position, so it falls as you walk away; Beilite’s noise article describes readings of that kind, taken at operator level and around the work zone. Our guide to how loud a hydraulic breaker is sets out the three measures. When a silent hydraulic breaker datasheet shows a noise figure, ask which one it is.
Our estimate: 122 dB of sound power at a distance
On open ground, sound pressure can be estimated from sound power: subtract 8 dB, then subtract 20 times the base-10 logarithm of the distance in metres. For the 122 dB TKB-302S that gives:
| Distance | Estimated level |
|---|---|
| 10 m | 94 dB |
| 20 m | 88 dB |
| 40 m | 82 dB |
| 80 m | 76 dB |
Walls and buildings reflect sound, so a street can read higher than this open-ground estimate. Measure on your own site when a permit depends on the number.
What the box changes: one maker’s published pairs
Takeuchi lists two sizes both as a standard model and as a silenced model with the same tool, oil flow and carrier range. That makes a direct comparison possible:
| Pair | Sound power | Change | Body weight | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TKB-52 / TKB-52S | 121 / 119 dB | −2 dB | 53 / 74 kg | +40% |
| TKB-72 / TKB-72S | 127 / 123 dB | −4 dB | 81 / 112 kg | +38% |
Source: Takeuchi UK breaker specifications, read on 6 November 2026; changes calculated by us.
A cut of 2–4 dB removes 37–60% of the sound energy. That is a real gain, though on these figures the box does not turn a breaker into a quiet machine. Plan a silent hydraulic breaker as one part of noise control, together with working hours, distance and barriers. Takeuchi also notes that the casing seals against dust and debris, a benefit you get on every site.
LICH silent hydraulic breaker models by size
LICH builds 17 of its 18 models with a silent box body:
| Model | Excavator class | Breaker weight | Chisel diameter | Oil flow | Impact energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC-35 | 1–1.5 t | On request | 35 mm | On request | On request |
| LC-40 | 1–1.5 t | 79 kg | 40 mm | 15–30 L/min | 204 J |
| LC-45 | 1.5–2 t | 105 kg | 45 mm | 20–40 L/min | 280 J |
| LC-53 | 3–5 t | 166 kg | 53 mm | 20–50 L/min | 406 J |
| LC-68 | 6 t | 289 kg | 68 mm | 40–60 L/min | 1,016 J |
| LC-75 | 7 t | 410 kg | 75 mm | 50–90 L/min | 1,835 J |
| LC-100 | 12 t | 841 kg | 100 mm | 80–110 L/min | 3,102 J |
| LC-135 | 20–25 t | 1,671 kg | 135 mm | 100–150 L/min | 6,190 J |
| LC-140 | 20–25 t | 1,977 kg | 140 mm | 120–180 L/min | 6,485 J |
| LC-150 | 25–30 t | 2,448 kg | 150 mm | 130–190 L/min | 9,380 J |
| LC-155 | 25–30 t | 2,739 kg | 155 mm | 180–240 L/min | 10,930 J |
| LC-165 | 30–36 t | 3,217 kg | 165 mm | 190–260 L/min | 13,200 J |
| LC-175 | 36–40 t | 3,757 kg | 175 mm | 200–250 L/min | 15,500 J |
| LC-180 | On request | On request | 180 mm | On request | On request |
| LC-195 | 42–55 t | 5,400 kg | 195 mm | 250–320 L/min | 25,490 J |
| LC-200 | 45–55 t | 6,388 kg | 200 mm | 260–340 L/min | 29,700 J |
| LC-230 | 60–80 t | On request | 230 mm | On request | On request |
Figures from the LICH model specifications, read on 6 November 2026. LICH lists the same operating weight for the silent, side and top body of each model; the quotation confirms the working weight with your bracket. The body comparison shows how the four bodies differ.
Where a silent hydraulic breaker earns its place
- City demolition and road repair: work close to homes, shops and traffic. See breakers for demolition.
- Night work near hospitals and schools: the LC-180 is built only as a silent model for this kind of noise-restricted city site.
- Dusty or abrasive sites: the closed box shields the cylinder from knocks and keeps dust out.
Five questions for any supplier
- Is the noise figure sound power or a meter reading at a stated distance?
- Which test standard, carrier, tool and material were used?
- What is the working weight with the bracket, compared with the open body?
- Which damping parts sit inside the box, and how are they replaced?
- How is the box opened for routine service and seal changes?
Our supplier guide covers the wider checks.
Questions about silent hydraulic breakers
Is a silent hydraulic breaker really silent?
No breaker is silent. It reduces the noise that escapes: 2–4 dB of sound power in the Takeuchi pairs above.
Does a silent hydraulic breaker hit less hard?
The box surrounds the same type of power cell, so it does not set the energy. On LICH models the impact energy is listed per model, for example 6,485 J on the LC-140.
What is a box type hydraulic breaker?
It is another name for the same thing: the power cell sits inside a closed steel box.
Which size do I need?
Start from the excavator class in the table above, then check the circuit in the flow rate and pressure chart.
Working near homes or at night? Send us your excavator model, circuit flow and pressure, and the site limits you have to meet. We will match a silent hydraulic breaker from the LICH range and quote it with the bracket, hoses and spare parts.
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