21/09/2026
Which Hydraulic Breaker for Your Excavator? A 2026 Sizing and Flow Guide
A hydraulic breaker is sized in three steps, in this order: match the model to the carrier's operating weight, confirm the carrier can supply the breaker's rated hydraulic flow, then confirm the operating pressure band. Get the order wrong — buying on tonnage alone — and you will fit a breaker your machine cannot feed. RAY Attachments builds the RHB series in 23 models covering carriers from 1.2 t to 140 t, with published flow ranges from 20–30 l/min up to 500–600 l/min, and operating pressure bands from 88–117 bar to 225–255 bar. Every figure in this guide is taken from RAY's published hydraulic breaker specification tables; nothing here is estimated or converted.
1. What actually determines the right hydraulic breaker?
Carrier operating weight sets the class; hydraulic flow and pressure decide whether that class will actually perform on your machine.
Three inputs matter, and they are not interchangeable:
Carrier operating weight (t) — decides which models are physically appropriate. This is the number that rules a breaker in or out.
Available hydraulic flow (l/min) — decides whether the carrier can drive that breaker at its rated output. Flow is the constraint most often missed.
Operating pressure (bar) — decides the force of each blow and must sit inside the breaker's rated band.
Two further variables separate models inside the same tonnage class: body weight and impact frequency (bpm). Section 6 explains why that matters more than it looks.
2. The full RHB range: 23 models from 1.2 t to 140 t
The RHB range is built in three series — Light, Medium and Heavy — and every model is rated for a specific carrier operating-weight range.
RHB series carrier operating weight by model — 23 models, 1.2 t to 140 t
Fig. 1 — Suitable carrier operating weight by model. Overlapping bars are deliberate; see Section 7.
Model Series Body weight (kg) Suitable carrier (t) Operating pressure (bar) Hydraulic flow (l/min) Impact frequency (bpm)
RHB45 Light 71 1.2–3.0 88–117 20–30 700–1200
RHB53 Light 89 2.5–4.5 88–117 25–50 600–1100
RHB68 Light 156 4–7 108–137 40–70 500–900
RHB75 Light 214 6–9 118–147 50–90 400–800
RHB85 Light 282 7–14 128–157 60–100 400–800
RHB100 Light 479 10–15 147–166 80–110 350–700
RHB125 Medium 620 15–18 147–166 90–120 350–650
RHB135 Medium 850 18–26 157–177 130–150 400–600
RHB140 Medium 920 18–26 157–177 120–180 350–550
RHB150 Medium 1092 27–35 157–177 150–190 350–700
RHB155 Medium 1313 28–35 157–177 180–240 300–450
RHB160 Medium 1400 30–40 157–177 200–250 250–380
RHB165 Medium 1590 30–40 177–196 200–250 250–380
RHB175 Heavy 1960 35–40 176–206 200–260 200–350
RHB185 Heavy 2375 40–50 176–235 240–300 180–250
RHB195 Heavy 2823 45–55 195–235 290–360 150–200
RHB200 Heavy 3077 50–60 196–235 300–370 150–200
RHB205 Heavy 3339 55–65 225–255 320–390 130–170
RHB210 Heavy 3400 55–65 225–255 340–420 130–170
RHB215 Heavy 3577 65–75 225–255 360–460 130–170
RHB220 Heavy 3939 65–80 225–255 400–500 130–170
RHB230 Heavy 4153 80–120 225–255 420–540 130–170
RHB258 Heavy 5994 90–140 225–255 500–600 110–140
Source: RAY Attachments hydraulic breaker specification tables (Light, Medium and Heavy series). Body weight in kg as published.
3. Which model for which excavator size?
Match the carrier's operating weight to the model's rated carrier range, then check flow. A 20-ton excavator sits in the RHB135 / RHB140 bracket; a 5-ton mini excavator sits in RHB53 or RHB68.
Carrier operating weight Recommended models
1.2–3.0 t RHB45
2.5–4.5 t RHB53
4–7 t RHB68
6–9 t RHB75
7–14 t RHB85
10–15 t RHB100
15–18 t RHB125
18–26 t RHB135 / RHB140
27–35 t RHB150 / RHB155
30–40 t RHB160 / RHB165
35–40 t RHB175
40–50 t RHB185
45–55 t RHB195
50–60 t RHB200
55–65 t RHB205 / RHB210
65–80 t RHB215 / RHB220
80–120 t RHB230
90–140 t RHB258
RAY states its breakers are compatible with most leading excavators and loaders, and publishes a Hitch Size Database covering excavator mounting dimensions for fitment checking.
4. Rule one: verify hydraulic flow before you commit
A breaker rated for the right tonnage but starved of flow will under-perform and wear faster. Always confirm the carrier can supply the model's rated l/min before ordering.
Hydraulic flow and operating pressure by model
Fig. 2 — Flow range and pressure band per model, read from the same specification tables.
The published flow ranges move in clear steps across the range:
Stage Models Flow range (l/min)
Small light RHB45 – RHB53 20–50
Upper light RHB68 – RHB100 40–110
Lower medium RHB125 – RHB150 90–190
Upper medium RHB155 – RHB165 180–250
Heavy RHB175 – RHB200 200–370
Large heavy RHB205 – RHB258 320–600
Note the width of some bands. RHB140 is rated 120–180 l/min while RHB135 — the same 18–26 t carrier bracket — is rated 130–150 l/min. If your machine sits at the high end of the flow range, that difference decides which model you can use.
5. Rule two: stay inside the pressure band
Operating pressure determines the force of each blow. Every RHB model has a published band, and the bands rise from 88–117 bar on the smallest light models to 225–255 bar on the largest heavy models.
Pressure band (bar) Models
88–117 RHB45, RHB53
108–137 RHB68
118–147 RHB75
128–157 RHB85
147–166 RHB100, RHB125
157–177 RHB135 – RHB160
177–196 RHB165
176–206 RHB175
176–235 RHB185
195–235 RHB195
196–235 RHB200
225–255 RHB205 – RHB258
Running a breaker below its rated pressure band costs breaking power. Running it above the band is worse: it accelerates wear on the piston, seals and tool.
6. Rule three: impact frequency is a trade-off, not a ranking
Smaller breakers cycle faster and larger breakers hit harder. RHB45 runs 700–1,200 bpm; RHB258 runs 110–140 bpm. Neither is better — they suit different ground.
Impact frequency falls as the breaker grows
Fig. 3 — Blows per minute across the range, mid-point of the rated band.
Read the pattern as a rule:
High bpm, lighter body — suits concrete, secondary breaking and thin slabs, where fast cycling clears material quickly.
Lower bpm, heavier body — delivers a harder single blow, which suits harder rock where each strike needs to start a fracture.
This is why a buyer who chooses strictly by tonnage can end up with the wrong machine for the ground in front of them.
7. Rule four: the overlaps are deliberate
Five model pairs are rated for the same carrier band. The difference between them is body weight, flow requirement and impact frequency — not tonnage.
Deliberate overlaps between models sharing a carrier range
Fig. 4 — The overlapping carrier bands, and what separates each pair.
Carrier band Pair What separates them
18–26 t RHB135 (850 kg, 130–150 l/min, 400–600 bpm) / RHB140 (920 kg, 120–180 l/min, 350–550 bpm) RHB140 has the wider flow window and the heavier blow
27–35 t RHB150 (1092 kg, 150–190 l/min) / RHB155 (1313 kg, 180–240 l/min) RHB155 requires a higher-flow carrier
30–40 t RHB160 (1400 kg, 157–177 bar) / RHB165 (1590 kg, 177–196 bar) RHB165 runs a higher pressure band
55–65 t RHB205 (3339 kg, 320–390 l/min) / RHB210 (3400 kg, 340–420 l/min) RHB210 takes the wider flow window
For a dealer, the practical consequence is that a single carrier bracket can serve two customer types: the one who wants faster cycling and less machine load, and the one who wants the hardest available blow.
8. Rule five: body type is a separate decision from size
The same breaker class is built in four configurations — box silence, top, backhoe loader and skid steer. Choose the body type by jobsite and machine, not by tonnage.
Four body and mounting types in the RHB range
Fig. 5 — The four configurations and what each is for.
Type Design intent Typical use
Box Silence Type Enclosed body reduces noise and protects internal components Urban demolition, noise-restricted sites
Top Type Open body, easier to locate and control; lighter for the same class, lowering chisel-break risk General excavation, quarrying, trenching
Backhoe Loader Type Purpose-built mount JCB 3CX / 4CX, Case 580, CAT 416D, John Deere 310J / 410J
Skid Steer Loader Type Compact mount Bobcat 185, CAT 216 / 226 / 262 and other brands
Box and top variants are offered across the tonnage range, so a dealer can cover urban and general-duty customers from one series without adding a second supplier.
9. The five most common breaker sizing mistakes
Most sizing errors come from matching one number instead of three. These are the five that recur.
Buying on tonnage alone. The carrier bracket is necessary but not sufficient. A model that fits the machine but cannot be fed by it will under-perform.
Ignoring the flow ceiling. If your carrier's pump output sits below the model's rated range, the breaker never reaches its rated output.
Assuming the two overlapping models are interchangeable. They are not — flow window, body weight and bpm differ.
Choosing the body type last. A box silence body and a top body are different geometries for different jobsites, even in the same class.
Specifying the mount from memory. MS and CW coupler standards define pin diameter and spacing, and they are not interchangeable. Specifying the wrong standard means the breaker needs workshop time before it earns.
10. Frequently asked questions
Which hydraulic breaker fits a 20-ton excavator?
A 20-ton carrier falls in the RHB135 or RHB140 bracket — both rated 18–26 t. RHB135 has a body weight of 850 kg with a rated flow of 130–150 l/min and 400–600 bpm. RHB140 is heavier at 920 kg with a wider flow range of 120–180 l/min and 350–550 bpm. Confirm your machine's available hydraulic flow before choosing between them.
How much hydraulic flow does a hydraulic breaker need?
It depends on the model. In the RHB range the requirement runs from 20–30 l/min on the smallest light model (RHB45) to 500–600 l/min on the largest heavy model (RHB258). The figure you need is the model's published flow range, checked against your carrier's actual pump output.
What operating pressure does a RAY hydraulic breaker run at?
RHB operating pressure bands run from 88–117 bar on the smallest light models to 225–255 bar on the largest heavy models. Intermediate bands step up through the range — for example 157–177 bar across RHB135 to RHB160, and 177–196 bar on RHB165.
What is the difference between box type and top type hydraulic breakers?
Box silence type breakers enclose the body, which reduces noise and shields internal components — the usual choice for urban demolition and noise-restricted sites. Top type breakers use an open body that is easier to position and control, and are lighter for the same class, which lowers the risk of chisel breakage.
How many models are in the RAY RHB series?
23 models, grouped into Light, Medium and Heavy series, covering carrier operating weights from 1.2 t to 140 t. The range starts at RHB45 (71 kg body, 1.2–3.0 t carriers) and ends at RHB258 (5,994 kg body, 90–140 t carriers).
Why do two RHB models cover the same carrier tonnage?
Because body weight and impact frequency can be traded against each other inside one class. A heavier model in the same bracket delivers a harder blow at lower frequency, which suits harder rock; a lighter one cycles faster, which suits concrete and secondary breaking. Five such pairs exist in the range.
Do RAY breakers fit European excavators and couplers?
RAY states its breakers are compatible with most leading excavators and loaders, and offers connector brackets built to MS and CW standard flanges, with Common style and Skid Steer style also available. A Hitch Size Database covering excavator mounting dimensions is published for fitment checking.
11. References
Epiroc — Hydraulic breakers for excavators: how to choose the right breaker for your carrier. https://www.epiroc.com/en-us/products/excavator-attachments/hydraulic-breaker
Epiroc — Premium hydraulic breaker product data (carrier weight class, oil flow, working tool diameter). https://www.epiroc.com/en-us/products/excavator-attachments/hydraulic-breaker/hydraulic-breakers
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2023 on machinery, repealing Directive 2006/42/EC. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1230/oj/eng
