You’re on Machinery Trader, We Get It.
You’ve got a rock job coming up, and you’re doing the smart thing: scrolling through Machinery Trader, looking for a deal on a used hydraulic breaker. You’re a contractor, a purchasing manager, someone who knows that the right tool can make or break a project. You’re looking for a workhorse, something that gets the job done without blowing your budget.
But what if the “right tool” isn’t the one you’re searching for? What if that used hydraulic breaker you’re eyeing is actually a money pit in disguise?
We’ve been in the trenches—literally. At Rock Hard Solutions, we’re not just equipment dealers; we’re contractors who’ve dealt with the same headaches you have. We know the frustration of a breaker that spends more time in the shop than on the job. We know the sting of buying a “deal” that ends up costing a fortune in repairs and downtime.
That’s why we’re here to tell you: before you click “buy” on that used hydraulic breaker, you need to know about a better way. A way to cut rock faster, cleaner, and more profitably.
It’s time to talk about KEMROC drum cutters.
The Hard Truth About That Used Hydraulic Breaker
That used hydraulic breaker on Machinery Trader might look like a bargain, but it’s often a Pandora’s box of problems. Here’s what you’re really looking at:
- High Maintenance, Low ROI: Let’s be honest, hydraulic breakers are notorious for beating themselves to death. Internal wear and tear, constant seal replacements, and the ever-present risk of a catastrophic failure mean you’re not just buying a tool; you’re buying a new hobby in equipment repair. As one of our customers put it, “Anyone who owns a breaker and has seen it opened on the shop floor knows how expensive they are to repair.”
- Low Productivity: A breaker’s job is to smash rock into submission. But all that violent hammering is inefficient. It creates oversized, unusable debris that you have to pay to haul away. It’s slow, it’s messy, and it’s costing you time and money on every single truckload.
- Hidden Costs: The sticker price on that used breaker is just the beginning. You’ve got to factor in the cost of downtime, the cost of replacement parts, the cost of hauling away waste material, and the cost of your crew standing around waiting for a repair. Suddenly, that “deal” isn’t looking so great.
Your Excavation Equipment Evaluation Checklist
Before you pull the trigger on any piece of excavation equipment, ask yourself these questions:
- What’s the real cost of ownership? (Think beyond the purchase price. Factor in maintenance, downtime, and consumables.)
- How will this impact my productivity? (Will it speed up my workflow or slow it down?)
- What’s the quality of the end product? (Does it create reusable material or just more waste?)
- What’s the impact on my job site? (Is it noisy, dusty, and a safety hazard?)
- What’s the support like? (Is there a team of experts I can call when I need help?)
Now, let’s see how a KEMROC drum cutter answers those questions.
The KEMROC Difference: Cut Smarter, Not Harder
Imagine a tool that doesn’t just smash rock but cuts it with the precision of a surgeon. A tool that turns solid rock into perfectly sized, reusable backfill. A tool that’s three to five times more productive than a hydraulic breaker.
That’s a KEMROC drum cutter.
KEMROC drum cutters are a game-changer for any contractor who deals with rock. Here’s why:
Unmatched Productivity: 3-5x Faster Than Breakers
Our customers report a 3-5x increase in productivity compared to hydraulic breakers. That’s not an exaggeration; that’s a fact. You’ll get more done in less time, with less wear and tear on your excavator.
Take the EKT 220, our flagship model designed for 50-70 ton excavators. This beast delivers 220 kW (295 hp) of rated power with a maximum cutting force of 38,170 lbf. Compare that to a hydraulic breaker of similar size, and you’ll see why contractors are making the switch.
Reusable Spoil: Turn Waste Into Profit
Stop paying to haul away rock debris. KEMROC drum cutters produce a granular, reusable byproduct that’s perfect for backfill. As Todd McDaniel from Buffalo Construction told us, “The cutters turned out to be a solution for multiple issues. Not only did they extract the stone in a fraction of the time that horamming takes, but the extracted stone was perfect size for back fill with no further processing.”
This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about your bottom line. When you can reuse excavated material as backfill, you’re saving on:
- Material costs (no need to buy new aggregate)
- Transportation costs (no hauling waste away, no bringing new material in)
- Disposal fees (landfill costs add up fast)
- Time (less coordination, faster project completion)
Low Maintenance, High Uptime
KEMROC drum cutters are built to last. With consumable wear items that take the brunt of the abuse, you’re not facing the same kind of catastrophic repair bills that come with a hydraulic breaker. The picks are designed to be field-replaceable, and we see an average cost of just $1 to $3 per cubic yard for pick replacement.
Real-World Results: The Bourbon Distillery Project
Let’s talk numbers. T&C Contracting used KEMROC equipment on a massive bourbon distillery project in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The results speak for themselves:
- Over 60,000 cubic yards of rock excavated
- Material reused on-site for backfill (massive cost savings)
- Zero blasting permits required (no delays, no liability)
- Cleaner cuts, fewer crews, faster completion
As Scott Thornberry noted, “The EKT 220 has reduced the unit cost of mechanical rock removal to a point where it is now competitive with blasting.”
Still Thinking About That Breaker? What to Look for When Buying a Hydraulic Breaker
We get it. Old habits die hard. If you’re still convinced that a used hydraulic breaker is the right choice for you, here’s a quick guide on what to look for. This is what the pros check to avoid buying a lemon:
- The Obvious Stuff: Look for cracks, welds, and any signs of abuse. If it looks like it’s been through a war, it probably has.
- The Not-So-Obvious Stuff: Check the hoses, fittings, and seals. Any leaks or damage here are a red flag. Ask to see the tool’s maintenance records. No records? No deal.
- The Test Drive: Never, ever buy a used breaker without seeing it in action. If the seller won’t let you test it, walk away. You’re looking for consistent power, no strange noises, and no excessive vibration.
But here’s the thing: even if you find a “good” used breaker, you’re still buying outdated technology. You’re still signing up for a future of expensive repairs, low productivity, and wasted material.
Ready to Ditch the Breaker and Crush Your Next Job?
There are a lot of things for sale on Machinery Trader. But, before you buy anything it’s worth knowing about KEMROC drum cutters.
At Rock Hard Solutions, we’re not just here to sell you a piece of equipment. We’re here to help you find the right tool for the job, a tool that will make you more profitable and more productive. We’ve been in your boots—we know what it’s like to deal with tight deadlines, tighter budgets, and equipment that lets you down when you need it most.
That’s why we don’t just sell KEMROC equipment; we use it ourselves. Scott Thornberry, our president, runs T&C Contracting, and every piece of equipment we recommend has been tested in the real world, on real jobs, by real contractors.
What You Get When You Choose Rock Hard Solutions:
- Expert Consultation: We’ll help you choose the right KEMROC model for your specific needs
- Live Demonstrations: See the equipment in action before you buy
- Complete Installation Support: We’ll make sure your attachment is properly configured for your excavator
- Ongoing Support: Field-serviceable equipment backed by a team that knows the business
- Flexible Options: Purchase, lease, or rental options to fit your budget
Don’t Take Our Word for It
“The Kemroc EKT 220 drum cutter has produced precision cuts with high quality material that is usable, and a major time savings compared to blasting.” – Jerry Hack, Project Manager, Abel Construction
“Our decision for EZ Construction to purchase our Kemroc 150 rock cutter was an easy choice, once we saw it in action in a live demonstration. The cutting action was astounding.” – Ed Davis, President, E-Z Construction
Ready to see the difference for yourself?
Call us at (502) 305-8480, email scott@rockhardsolutions.com, or request a demo online. Let’s rock your next project.
Serving contractors nationwide with prompt delivery and expert support. No stone left uncovered.
Sources:
- What to Look for When Buying a Used Hydraulic Breaker
- Choosing the Right Demolition Tool
- Compare Drum Cutter to Rock Breaker
The KEMROC Lineup: The Right Tool for Every Job
Not all excavators are the same, and not all rock jobs are the same. That’s why KEMROC offers a complete range of drum cutters and chain cutters to match your specific needs.
EKT Series: Convertible Powerhouses
The EKT series represents the pinnacle of versatility. These drum cutters can be converted to chain cutters, giving you two tools in one:
EKT 150: Perfect for 35-50 ton excavators, delivering 150 kW of power EKT 160: Designed for 35-50 ton excavators with enhanced cutting capabilitiesEKT 220: Our flagship model for 50-70 ton excavators with maximum 220 kW power
EK Chain Cutters: Precision Trenching Champions
When you need the narrowest possible trench with maximum precision, the EK chain cutters deliver 40% energy savings compared to conventional drum cutters, minimal trench width, and underwater capability without modifications.
Why Size Matters: Matching Your Machine
One of the biggest mistakes contractors make when shopping for excavator attachments for sale is buying the wrong size. Here’s our quick sizing guide:
| Excavator Weight | Recommended Model | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 2-6 tons | EK 20 / EKT 20 | Perfect for utility work |
| 7-17 tons | EK 40-60 / EKT 40-60 | Versatile workhorses |
| 18-50 tons | EK 100-160 / EKT 100-160 | High performance |
| 50-70 tons | EK 220 / EKT 220 | Ultimate power |
The Real Cost Comparison: Breakers vs. KEMROC Cutters
Let’s talk dollars and cents. When you’re browsing construction equipment for sale, the sticker price is just the beginning.
ROI Reality Check
Let’s say you’re working on a project that requires excavating 10,000 cubic yards of rock:
With a Hydraulic Breaker:
- Time required: 50-100 days
- Disposal costs: $50,000 – $100,000
- Backfill material costs: $75,000 – $150,000
- Maintenance/downtime: $10,000 – $20,000
- Total project cost: $135,000 – $270,000
** You still have to factor in the cost of the excavator/hammer combination. Horam rock is worth about $150 per cubic yard, or $1,500,000 in this case. So realistically the total project cost here is $1.5M plus the $135k to $270k.
With a KEMROC Drum Cutter:
- Time required: 10-33 days
- Disposal costs: $0 (material reused)
- Backfill material costs: $0 (use excavated material)
- Maintenance: $1,000 – $3,000
- Total project cost: $1,000 – $3,000
*Of course, you need to factor in the actual cost of cutting. On the distillery project, we cut 60,000CY for just under $20/CY or $1.2M (compared to the $1.5M for hammers) so the actual cost here is $1.2M plus the $1000 to $3000 you calculated earlier. – Scott Thornberry, T&C Contracting and Rock Hard Solutions.
The math is simple: a KEMROC drum cutter can pay for itself on a single large project.
