What NOT to Do With Your Hydraulic Breaker (And How to Avoid Costly Mistakes)
Hydraulic breakers are powerful, versatile tools — but just like any piece of heavy equipment, they can only perform at their best when they’re operated correctly. A few bad habits can drastically shorten a breaker’s lifespan, increase downtime, and rack up costly repairs.
At TOKU America, we recently wrapped up a two-week campaign on LinkedIn dedicated to showing contractors, dealers, and operators the right way to run a breaker by first showing them what not to do. Here’s a recap of the top mistakes to avoid — and how to keep your breaker in peak condition for years to come.
1. Don’t Blank Fire
Blank firing happens when you activate the breaker without the tool bit making solid contact with the material. This causes unnecessary stress on internal components, leading to premature wear and potential damage.
How to Avoid It:
Train operators to ensure the bit is firmly against the material before firing.
Use proper positioning and avoid “feathering” the trigger in the air.
Dealers can help customers by including blank firing prevention tips in operator training.
2. Don’t Pry with the Tool
A hydraulic breaker is designed for vertical impact, not prying or levering material. Using it like a crowbar can snap the tool, damage bushings, and strain the breaker housing.
How to Avoid It:
Only apply straight-down force during operation.
Switch to a different attachment for lifting or prying tasks.
3. Don’t Run Without Grease
Lubrication is critical for reducing wear on bushings and tool steel. Skipping regular greasing leads to heat buildup, friction damage, and premature component failure.
How to Avoid It:
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended greasing schedule.
Use breaker-specific chisel paste or grease, not standard machine grease.
4. Don’t Use the Wrong Carrier
A breaker that’s too large or too small for your carrier won’t perform efficiently — and it can damage both the breaker and the machine.
How to Avoid It:
Match the breaker’s weight and oil flow requirements to your machine’s specs.
Use our Attachment Finder Tool to get the right match every time.
5. Don’t Let Untrained Operators Run the Attachment
Even the toughest breaker can be ruined in the hands of an inexperienced operator. Improper technique, excessive firing time, or ignoring maintenance checks all add up to costly downtime.
How to Avoid It:
Provide thorough training on breaker operation and maintenance.
Use dealer or manufacturer resources to supplement operator knowledge.
Why These Habits Matter
Every one of these mistakes increases stress on the breaker’s components, drives up maintenance costs, and pulls your equipment out of the field. By avoiding them, you extend the life of your breaker, keep your jobs on schedule, and get a better return on your investment.
Get the Full Cheat Sheet
We’ve taken all of these tips (plus a few extra) and put them into a free downloadable “Breaker Longevity Cheat Sheet” you can share with your operators or customers.
[Download the Cheat Sheet Here]
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