Is Epiroc the same as Atlas Copco?

Epiroc was spun off from Atlas Copco in 2018. The hydraulic breaker business, including the HB series, moved to Epiroc. Atlas Copco retained its compressor and industrial tool businesses. Epiroc breakers are the direct successors to Atlas Copco hydraulic breakers — the technology, manufacturing, and dealer network are largely the same.

What is ContiLube and do I need it?

ContiLube II is Epiroc's automatic lubrication system that eliminates the need for manual greasing every 2 hours. It is a significant practical advantage for operators who work long shifts or in conditions where stopping to grease is inconvenient. The system requires periodic refilling of the grease reservoir (typically every 50–100 hours). For high-utilization operations, ContiLube pays for itself in extended bushing life and reduced downtime.

How does Epiroc compare to Rammer?

Both Epiroc and Rammer (now owned by Sandvik) are premium European brands with comparable performance levels. Epiroc has a broader product range and more advanced technology features (ContiLube, VibroSilenced). Rammer is known for particularly robust construction and is favored in some quarry applications. The choice between them often comes down to dealer support quality in the specific region.

Brand Profile Sweden Est. 1873 (as Atlas Copco); 2018 (as Epiroc)

Epiroc Hydraulic Breakers

Epiroc AB

Swedish engineering leader — formerly Atlas Copco hydraulic attachments

Overview

Epiroc AB is a Swedish industrial company that was spun off from Atlas Copco in 2018. The company's hydraulic breaker division traces its roots to Atlas Copco's hydraulic attachment business, which was one of the pioneers of hydraulic breaker technology in the 1960s and 1970s. Epiroc is widely regarded as the global technology leader in hydraulic breakers, with the broadest product range and the most advanced features in the industry.

History

The history of Epiroc hydraulic breakers begins with Atlas Copco, founded in Sweden in 1873. Atlas Copco developed its first hydraulic breaker in the late 1960s, building on its extensive experience with pneumatic rock drills and construction equipment.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Atlas Copco's hydraulic breaker division grew to become one of the largest in the world. The company developed several industry-first technologies during this period, including the ContiLube automatic lubrication system and the VibroSilenced mounting system.

In 2018, Atlas Copco spun off its mining and infrastructure businesses into a new company called Epiroc AB. The hydraulic breaker business, including the well-known HB series, became part of Epiroc's Tools & Attachments division.

Today, Epiroc manufactures hydraulic breakers at facilities in Sweden and other locations, and distributes globally through an extensive dealer network. The company's HB series covers excavators from 0.8 to 140 tons — the broadest range of any manufacturer.

Key Technologies

ContiLube II Automatic Lubrication

Epiroc's ContiLube II system automatically lubricates the chisel bushing at precisely controlled intervals during operation. The system uses a small integrated pump to deliver the correct amount of grease at the correct frequency, eliminating the need for manual greasing every 2 hours. ContiLube II significantly extends bushing life and reduces the risk of under-lubrication damage.

VibroSilenced Mounting

Epiroc's VibroSilenced mounting system uses specially designed vibration-damping elements between the breaker body and the mounting bracket. This reduces vibration transmission to the excavator arm by up to 50%, protecting the excavator's front linkage and reducing operator fatigue. The system also reduces operating noise.

StartSelect Technology

Epiroc's StartSelect system allows the operator to select between two operating modes — a high-frequency mode for soft materials and a high-energy mode for hard rock — from the excavator cab. This flexibility allows a single breaker to be optimized for different material conditions without manual adjustment.

PowerAdapt

PowerAdapt is Epiroc's automatic power management system that continuously monitors hydraulic flow and pressure from the excavator and adjusts the breaker's operating parameters to extract maximum performance from the available hydraulic power. This is particularly valuable when the breaker is used on excavators with varying hydraulic output.

Product Range

Model	Class	Excavator	Impact Energy	Oil Flow	Working Pressure	Notes
HB 2000	Mini	0.8–2 ton	80–150 J	12–22 L/min	80–120 bar	Micro excavator class
HB 3600	Mini	2–5 ton	200–380 J	28–50 L/min	105–150 bar	Mini class standard
HB 7000	Light	5–10 ton	450–700 J	55–85 L/min	125–165 bar	Light class workhorse
HB 10000	Medium	10–18 ton	800–1200 J	80–120 L/min	145–180 bar	Medium class standard
HB 20000	Medium	16–26 ton	1500–2200 J	130–175 L/min	155–190 bar	High-production medium
HB 40000	Heavy	30–50 ton	3500–5000 J	200–280 L/min	170–210 bar	Heavy quarry/mining
HB 70000	Extra Heavy	60–100 ton	7000–10000 J	350–500 L/min	200–250 bar	Mining/large demolition

* Specifications are approximate and vary by model year and configuration. Consult the manufacturer for exact data.

Recommended Models

SB-series breakers compatible with Epiroc specifications — click any model for full technical details.

SB30Light

Excavator

4–8 ton

Impact Energy

400–600 J

Weight

200–260 kg

Oil Flow

45–70 L/min

Full Specifications

SB40Medium

Excavator

6–12 ton

Impact Energy

600–900 J

Weight

320–400 kg

Oil Flow

60–90 L/min

Full Specifications

SB43Medium

Excavator

8–14 ton

Impact Energy

700–1000 J

Weight

380–460 kg

Oil Flow

70–100 L/min

Full Specifications

SB50Heavy

Excavator

12–20 ton

Impact Energy

1000–1500 J

Weight

550–700 kg

Oil Flow

90–130 L/min

Full Specifications

SB81Extra Heavy

Excavator

20–35 ton

Impact Energy

2000–3000 J

Weight

1100–1400 kg

Oil Flow

150–200 L/min

Full Specifications

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Broadest product range in the industry — 0.8 to 140 ton excavators
ContiLube II automatic lubrication eliminates manual greasing requirement
VibroSilenced mounting reduces excavator wear and operator fatigue
StartSelect and PowerAdapt technologies optimize performance automatically
Extensive global dealer and service network
Industry-leading technical documentation and support
Proven performance in the most demanding mining and quarry applications

Limitations

Highest price point in the market — typically 80–150% above Korean brands
Complex technology features require trained service technicians
ContiLube system adds a maintenance item (grease reservoir refill)
Heavier than some competitors at equivalent energy class due to robust construction

Market Position

Epiroc is the global market leader in hydraulic breakers by technology and brand recognition. The company competes at the premium end of the market and is the default choice for high-production quarry and mining operations where maximum performance, reliability, and support are the primary criteria.

In construction markets, Epiroc competes with Furukawa and Rammer for premium customers, and with Korean brands (Soosan, NPK) for price-sensitive customers. The ContiLube and VibroSilenced technologies are significant differentiators that justify the premium price for operators who value reduced maintenance and excavator protection.

Typical Applications

Hard rock quarrying and miningLarge-scale demolitionTunneling and underground constructionInfrastructure projects with high productivity requirementsApplications where excavator protection and operator comfort are priorities