Side Type Hydraulic Breaker: Design Features and Performance Benefits

When selecting a hydraulic hammer for your excavator, the mounting configuration is one of the most critical decisions you will make. It directly impacts performance, maintenance accessibility, and operational versatility. The side type hydraulic breaker, also known as an open-type or triangular breaker, is one of the most widely adopted designs in the industry for good reason. It offers a powerful combination of efficiency, durability, and straightforward serviceability that makes it a workhorse on countless job sites.

At BEILITE Machinery, we have engineered our side-type hydraulic hammers to provide reliable breaking power across a spectrum of demanding tasks. This specialized configuration offers distinct advantages in specific working conditions, making it an essential tool for many construction and demolition applications.

What is a Side Type Hydraulic Breaker?

A side type hydraulic breaker is characterized by its distinctive mounting method and structural design. The installation pins are located on the side of the breaker's main body, allowing the hammer to be mounted directly to the excavator's dipper arm. This design is often referred to as an "open-type" because the core components—the cylinder body assembly and front head—are not fully enclosed in a sound-dampening box.

The side bracket hydraulic breaker structure is fundamental to its functionality. The breaker is protected and held together by two robust steel plates on either side, with two large through-bolts (shell bolts) running through these plates and the main body to provide the structural integrity needed to withstand intense operational forces. This design simplifies the overall construction, resulting in a lighter and more accessible attachment compared to fully-enclosed models.

Unlike traditional top-mounted breakers where the mounting bracket is positioned on top of the rear head, the side-mount configuration provides a more compact profile and focuses on direct performance and ease of field maintenance. This makes it a preferred choice for operators who value practicality and quick turnaround times.

Why Choose a Side Type Hydraulic Hammer for Your Excavator?

Opting for a side type breaker design brings several distinct operational and financial benefits. We build our breakers to capitalize on these inherent advantages, ensuring you get a tool that is not only powerful but also practical for day-to-day operations.

Unmatched Versatility: The side-mount configuration provides excellent maneuverability, allowing the operator to easily position the breaker for a wide range of tasks, from vertical demolition to horizontal trenching. This adaptability makes it a true multi-purpose tool, capable of handling different jobs on a single site without needing specialized attachments.

Simplified Maintenance Access: With the open-frame design, key components like the working tool, bushings, and grease points are immediately accessible. Technicians don't need to disassemble a heavy outer casing to perform routine checks or replace wear parts. This direct access translates to less downtime and lower labor costs over the life of the attachment.

Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Side type hydraulic breakers often present a more accessible initial purchase price due to the simpler manufacturing process. Furthermore, the ease of maintenance and the durability of the design, which promotes good heat dissipation through superior air circulation, contribute to reduced long-term operating costs.

Reduced Excavator Stress: The compact profile and lower center of gravity reduce stress on the excavator's boom and arm, particularly during horizontal or angled breaking. This configuration improves the operator's visibility and control while extending the carrier's service life.

Internal Link: How to Choose the Right Hydraulic Breaker for Your Medium or Large Excavator

Side Type vs Top Mount vs Box Type Breaker Comparison

Understanding the differences between breaker configurations helps determine the optimal choice for your specific applications. Each design serves different operational priorities and working conditions.

Side Type vs Top Mount Breaker: A top-mount breaker connects to the excavator arm via a mounting bracket on top of the breaker's rear head, resulting in a longer overall length. This can be an advantage for tasks requiring extended reach, such as tunneling or breaking at the bottom of a deep trench, where maximizing downward force is the main goal.

Side Type vs Box Type Breaker: The box-type (silenced) breaker encases the entire cylinder body assembly within a fully enclosed, sound-dampened housing. This design's primary purpose is to significantly reduce operating noise levels, making it a requirement for projects in urban areas, near hospitals, or in other noise-sensitive environments.

Feature	Side Type Hydraulic Breaker	Top Mount Breaker	Box Type Breaker
Mounting Point	On the side of main body	On top of rear head	Varies by design
Overall Length	Shorter, more compact	Longer, greater reach	Compact profile
Noise Level	Moderate with dampening pads	Higher noise output	Significantly reduced
Weight	Lighter construction	Moderate weight	Heaviest due to housing
Maintenance Access	Excellent, direct access	May require removal	Limited by enclosure
Heat Dissipation	Superior air circulation	Good ventilation	Limited airflow
Primary Applications	General demolition, quarrying	Vertical breaking, tunneling	Urban/noise-sensitive work
Cost	Most economical	Moderate pricing	Highest initial cost

The side type breaker offers the best balance of power, control, and versatility for general-purpose demolition, quarry work, and trenching applications.

Key Applications for Side Type Rock Breakers

The robust and versatile design of the side type hydraulic breaker makes it suitable for a wide array of breaking and demolition tasks. Its ability to deliver powerful impact energy combined with excellent maneuverability makes it a primary tool in several key sectors.

Primary Demolition: Whether breaking reinforced concrete on building demolition sites or clearing rock for new construction, the side-type breaker provides the power needed for efficient primary breaking. Its maneuverability allows operators to tackle structures from various angles, making it ideal for complex demolition projects.

Secondary Breaking in Quarries: In quarries and large-scale civil projects, oversized boulders often need to be broken down into manageable sizes for crushers. The side type breaker is ideal for this secondary breaking application, easily repositioned by the excavator to handle multiple rocks in quick succession.

Trenching and Excavation: For utility installation or pipeline work, creating trenches in hard, rocky ground is a common challenge. A side-type hammer can make short work of this, fracturing rock along a designated path and significantly speeding up the excavation process.

Roadwork and Infrastructure: From breaking up old asphalt and concrete roadways to preparing foundations for bridges and overpasses, the side-type breaker is an indispensable tool for road construction and repair crews.

Urban Demolition Projects: In dense urban environments where maneuverability is crucial, side mounted breakers provide the compact profile and excellent visibility needed for working around utilities and adjacent structures.

Slope Stabilization: The lower center of gravity and improved stability make side type breakers excellent choices for slope stabilization work where the excavator operates on uneven terrain.

Internal Link: An Ultimate Guide for Hydraulic Hammer Repair

Proper Installation of Side Type Hydraulic Breakers

Correctly installing your hydraulic breaker is the first step toward safe and productive operation. An improper connection can lead to poor performance and create a serious safety hazard. We always recommend following the specific instructions in your operator's manual, but here is the general procedure for mounting a side-type breaker.

Step 1: Position the Breaker: Lay the side-type breaker flat on stable, level ground. Use wooden blocks to provide clearance and stability for safe working conditions.

Step 2: Prepare the Excavator: Remove any existing attachment, such as the bucket. Clean the mounting bosses on the excavator's dipper arm and the pin bores on the breaker to remove any dirt or debris that could affect proper alignment.

Step 3: Align and Pin the Arm: Carefully maneuver the excavator to align the dipper arm's pinhole with the corresponding pin bore on the breaker. Securely insert the first mounting pin and ensure proper seating.

Step 4: Connect the Linkage: Adjust the bucket cylinder to align the linkage pinhole with the second pin bore on the breaker. Insert the second mounting pin and secure both pins with their respective retainers and bolts according to manufacturer specifications.

Step 5: Connect Hydraulic Hoses: Before connecting, ensure the excavator engine is off and any residual pressure in the hydraulic system has been released. Clean the hose fittings and the breaker's inlet/outlet ports. Connect the high-pressure and low-pressure hoses to the correct ports on the breaker, ensuring connections are tight to prevent leaks.

Step 6: Pre-Operation Check: Start the excavator and let it warm up. Slowly raise the breaker and operate the attachment circuit at low power to check for any hydraulic leaks and ensure the breaker is responding correctly.

Essential Side Type Hydraulic Breaker Maintenance

The simple design of a side-type breaker makes maintenance straightforward, but it must not be neglected. Consistent care is the key to a long and productive life for your hydraulic hammer.

Daily Greasing Protocol: This is the single most important maintenance task. The area between the working tool and the bushings is under immense pressure and friction. Apply a high-quality, high-temperature chisel paste through the grease nipple before each use and every few hours during operation. This prevents metal-on-metal contact and costly damage to wear parts.

Pre-Shift Visual Inspections: At the start of each shift, walk around the breaker and check that all shell bolts and mounting pin retainers are tight. Look for any signs of hydraulic leaks from hoses or fittings. Inspect the working tool for excessive wear or cracks that could lead to failure.

Accumulator Pressure Monitoring: The accumulator's nitrogen gas charge is vital for absorbing pressure spikes and maximizing impact power. Check the pressure periodically according to manufacturer specifications (typically weekly or monthly) using a proper charging kit. A low charge will result in reduced performance and can damage internal seals.

Wear Parts Management: The working tool, tool pins, and inner and outer bushings are designed to wear and be replaced. Regularly inspect the bushings for excessive play. If the gap between the tool and the front bush becomes too large, it can cause piston misalignment and lead to catastrophic failure.

Heat Dissipation Advantage: The open-frame design of side type breakers allows for superior air circulation, which helps dissipate heat more effectively during continuous operation. This can be a crucial factor in hot climates or demanding applications that push the breaker to its limits.

Internal Link: How Often Should a Hydraulic Breaker Be Greased?

Selecting the Right Working Tool for Your Side Type Breaker

The versatility of your side-type breaker is enhanced by using the correct working tool for the job. Using the wrong tool can reduce efficiency and cause unnecessary wear on the breaker. Understanding the different tool options ensures optimal performance across various applications.

Moil Point (Cone Tool): This is the all-purpose standard working tool. Its pointed tip is excellent for penetrating and fracturing most types of concrete and sedimentary rock. The moil point provides the best balance of penetration and breaking efficiency, making it the go-to choice for general demolition and quarry applications.

Narrow Chisel (Wedge Tool): This tool features a flat, blade-like edge designed for more precise cutting actions. It excels in trenching operations, shaping rock walls, or controlled demolition where you need to create a specific fracture line. The narrow chisel is particularly effective for creating clean breaks in concrete structures.

Blunt Tool (Flat Tool): With its flat, wide impact surface, the blunt tool is not designed for penetration. Instead, it distributes the impact force over a larger area, making it perfect for secondary breaking of large, oversized boulders and for compacting soil or crushing already fractured material.

Asphalt Cutter: A specialized wide-bladed tool designed specifically for cutting asphalt or frozen ground. This tool provides the broad contact surface needed for efficient asphalt removal while minimizing damage to underlying surfaces.

Proper tool selection directly impacts both productivity and the longevity of your breaker. We recommend maintaining multiple tool types to optimize performance across different job requirements.

Internal Link: How to choose a high-quality hydraulic breaker from among numerous manufacturers: Buyer's guide

Beilite Hydraulic Breaker Manufacturer

Side type hydraulic breakers represent a specialized solution for specific operational challenges rather than a universal upgrade from top mounted designs. The key to success lies in matching the breaker configuration to your actual working conditions and space limitations.

The side mounting configuration offers genuine advantages in confined spaces, but these benefits come with trade-offs in maintenance accessibility and potentially higher initial costs. We recommend side type breakers primarily for operations where the space savings and visibility improvements directly translate to increased productivity or enhanced safety.

When considering a side type breaker, factor in the total cost of ownership, including any additional maintenance requirements and the availability of service support for the specialized mounting system. The right choice depends on your specific application profile and operational priorities.

Contact us!

If you want to consult questions about hydraulic breaker, welcome to contact us anytime.

40008-40008

info@beilite.com