What Is a Bobcat Breaker and When Should You Use One?
Breaker attachment rental

Breaking concrete by hand? That’s a good way to waste an entire day.

Let’s look at what it does, what it fits, and why it’s one of the most rented attachments for jobsite demolition.


What Is a Bobcat Breaker?

  • Concrete slabs
  • Asphalt driveways or roads
  • Brick or stone walls
  • Rock or frozen ground

It works by driving a piston into a steel tool (chisel, moil, or blunt) at high frequency. Depending on the size of the breaker, it can deliver hundreds to thousands of foot-pounds of impact energy per blow.


What Equipment Can It Attach To?

Most Bobcat breakers connect to:

  • Skid steers
  • Compact track loaders
  • Mini excavators

Each breaker is sized based on hydraulic flow and machine weight class. For example:

  • A small breaker (~150–300 ft-lbs impact energy) fits mini excavators or smaller skid steers
  • A mid-size breaker (~500–1,000 ft-lbs) works well with standard Bobcat machines
  • Larger breakers (~1,500–2,000+ ft-lbs) are for full-size units or heavy demolition jobs

Make sure your carrier machine has the right hydraulic specs — we’ll confirm compatibility before delivery.


Typical Use Cases for a Bobcat Breaker

This attachment is made for jobs where power and speed matter. Common uses include:

  • Concrete demolition – break up driveways, sidewalks, or slabs
  • Asphalt removal – for resurfacing or trenching
  • Utility trenching in rocky soil – punch through hard surfaces before excavation
  • Foundation work – remove footings, piers, or retaining walls
  • Frozen ground – break hard winter surfaces during cold-weather construction

Whether you're prepping for excavation or doing site demo, the breaker makes the first phase a lot faster.


Key Features to Look For

When renting, here’s what to ask:

  1. Impact energy rating – Measured in ft-lbs
  2. Tool type included – Chisel, moil, or blunt point
  3. Carrier machine compatibility
  4. Noise-reduction housing – Especially important for urban or residential areas
  5. Tool diameter and working frequency – Higher frequency = smoother breaking

Also, confirm maintenance: breakers need tool lubrication during use. We supply all rentals with proper grease and instructions.


Bobcat Breaker vs Jackhammer: Why It’s Faster

FeatureBobcat BreakerManual Jackhammer
Impact Force10x–30x higherLimited
SpeedBreaks larger areas fasterSlower, more labor
Operator FatigueLow (machine does the work)High
Surface Area CoveredLargerSmall/spot only

If you're doing more than a small repair, the Bobcat breaker is the faster, safer option.


Need a Bobcat Breaker for Your Next Demolition Job?


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