A Guide To Excavator Breaker Rental For Professional Operators.

Excavator breakers are among the most sought-after attachments for professional operators in the modern construction industry. Their power and robustness provide ample demolition force, making them a highly efficient addition to any ground works, landscaping, or utilities organisation. Whether you are tackling reinforced concrete, rock or any other dense material, excavator breaker rental can allow you to boost the productivity of your entire operation.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about excavator breaker rental. This will include rental options and sizes, compatibility considerations, costs and payments, as well as, highlighting some common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you and your operation will have everything you need to make the best choice for your circumstances and requirements.

Can You Rent An Excavator With Breaker Attachment?

Yes, you can rent an excavator with a breaker attachment from most reputable hire companies, including WHC Hire Services. Breaker attachments are considered as an optional extra with every excavator hire. However, this option is particularly useful for operators who require both pieces of equipment with a specialised task at hand.

Advantages of Renting An Excavator With A Breaker

Guaranteed Compatibility- The breaker will already be set up for work on the excavator you hire, providing seamless operation.
Efficiency- Properly paired excavator and breaker optimise your performance and boosts productivity.
Cost Effective- Renting an excavator with a breaker can avoid a large capital outlay on machinery required for specific tasks.

Can You Rent A Breaker Attachment Without An Excavator?

Indeed, you can rent a breaker attachment without an excavator. Many businesses opt to use this method of equipment acquisition to avoid further investment. Especially when these attachments are not required on the daily. This provides a huge amount of flexibility and control when managing large construction projects. However, if you intend to hire a hydraulic breaker, have the following to hand:

Ensuring Compatibility

Excavators Make and Model- This will ensure complete compatibility with headstocks available on hydraulic breakers.
Excavator Auxiliary Min and Max Flow Rates- It is essential that your excavator can power the attachment.
Coupler Diameters- Each excavator manufacturer will have different coupler diameters which can affect the coupling procedure. We highly recommend speaking directly to your supplier to ensure compatibility.

What Size Excavator Breakers Are Available?

When it comes to choosing a hydraulic breaker, size does matter. The larger the breaker, the more power and strength it will provide. However, the correct breaker size is governed by the size of machine you are using. Most rental companies will be able to provide a range of breakers to support their own equipment.

Common Hydraulic Breaker Categories

Light Duty Breakers – Commonly paired with micro or mini diggers, suitable for jobs such as removing asphalt or light concrete. These are commonly used by landscapers and utility workers.
Medium Duty Breakers- These hydraulic attachments are paired with midi-sized diggers up to 10 tonne in weight. A firm favourite for many construction and ground work companies.
Heavy Duty Breakers-For the toughest of demolition, heavy-duty hydraulic breakers are operated on excavators 10 tonne plus. These attachments provide the required flow rates to break through reinforced concrete and rock.

What Is The Minimum Hire Term For A Hydraulic Breaker

Commonly, hydraulic breakers are not always required for the same period of time as an excavator. Hence why most professional services like WHC Hire Services offer flexible terms to meet operators’ requirements. While the minimum hire term may vary between providers, you should expect a typical minimum hire term to be around 24hrs. Alternatively, long-term options can be negotiated directly with your supplier.

Key Considerations For Rental Duration

Method Statement- Plan for when you require the hydraulic breaker, estimating the time of usage.
Arrange In Plenty Of Time– Don’t get held up waiting for an attachment at last minute, always book your equipment in plenty of time.
Unexpected Delays- Remember that delays can happen, so allow enough time.

How Do You Pay For Hydraulic Breaker Hire?

Just like other rental equipment, you can pay for a hydraulic breaker on a cash or trade account basis. All plant and tool hire companies in the UK will usually operate using one of these methods. But, if you are still not quite sure about the procedure, then here is an overview:

Payment Options For Hydraulic Breaker

Cash Basis- Requires a security deposit which is refunded after the equipment is returned. Best suitable for Pay-As-You-Go clients.
Trade Account- Suitable for regular hirers, trade account payments are made monthly after invoices are received. To many, this provides far easier cost management.

How Are Hydraulic Breaker Costs Calculated?

The cost of hydraulic breaker rental is determined by several factors. Bear these in mind when budgeting for this attachment:

Factors Influencing Cost

Breaker Size- Breakers with higher impact rates and energy are often more expensive to rent. The bigger you go, the more expensive the rates.
Rental Supplier- Supplier’s costs vary depending on the manufacturers and age of their equipment. Always evaluate the service before choosing the cheapest option.
Delivery Charges- Needing a breaker delivered? This additional service will also impact the overall hire cost.

Important Information For Compatibility

If you are considering renting an excavator breaker for your own machine, you’ll need to make sure it will work. Incorrect coupling ultimately will lead to unnecessary delays, additional costs and unwanted damages. Before ordering your hydraulic breaker rental:

1. Understand Hydraulic Flow Rates

Knowing your excavator’s minimum and maximum hydraulic flow rates is essential to couple with a suitable breaker. Most modern excavators allow you to adjust your settings to accommodate most attachments. Using a breaker that exceeds your excavator’s flow rate can cause damage and overheating.

We highly recommend that you have this information to hand, which will be highlighted in your operator’s manual.

2. Mounting & Coupling

Most rental hydraulic breakers will already be set up to support a wide range of excavator manufacturers. You should always liaise with your supplier to ensure perfect compatibility prior to ordering this attachment. Additionally, you should be aware of your own machine’s auxiliary outlet diameters, which also require pairing. Reputable suppliers should be able to accommodate providing they are informed in advance.

Common Mistakes When Renting a Hydraulic Breaker

After nearly 30 years of supplying excavator breaker rental to outfits across the UK, we have seen many mistakes. Therefore, to avoid any unnecessary problems when opting to hire a hydraulic breaker, avoid these pitfalls to ensure a smooth rental experience:

Common Errors

Choosing The Wrong Breaker – Using the incorrect type of breaker will affect the performance of the attachment. If you are ever unsure, always ask your provider for help.

Ignoring Flow Rates- Knowing your machine’s flow rates can optimise the use of the attachment to achieve the best results.

Coupling Issues- Knowing the correct coupling procedure can simplify the connection process and avoid any issues when wishing to detach the breaker. (See video below)

Where To Hire An Excavator With A Breaker Attachment?

If you are considering renting an excavator with a breaker attachment, look for providers that:

Service Considerations

Reputable Suppliers- Do your due diligence on each supplier. Evaluate the service and quality of equipment you are getting for your money.
Range Of Sizes- Choose a supplier that caters for multiple sizes for various applications.
Clear Pricing & Terms- Choose a supplier that provides transparency with its pricing so you can budget more effectively.

At WHC Hire Services, we provide professional operators with state-of-the-art excavator breaker rental to tackle any task. Our expert team and digital resources ensure compatibility and effectiveness every time you hire.

Contact your local WHC Hire Services depot today if you have any questions about compatibility, or wish to arrange to hire. Alternatively, browse through our range of high-performance attachments and excavators on our website.