Is Montabert part of Volvo?

Yes. Montabert is part of the Volvo Construction Equipment group, which provides global distribution and service support while Montabert maintains its engineering identity in France.

What makes Montabert special?

Montabert is one of the oldest hydraulic breaker manufacturers in the world, with over 100 years of percussion engineering expertise. The company was a pioneer in hydraulic rock breaking technology and holds foundational patents in the field.

Brand Profile France Est. 1921

Montabert Hydraulic Breakers

Montabert SAS (Volvo CE Group)

Century-old French engineering — pioneers of hydraulic rock breaking

Overview

Montabert is one of the oldest and most technically distinguished hydraulic breaker manufacturers in the world, founded in France in 1921. The company is credited with developing some of the earliest hydraulic rock breaking technology and holds numerous patents in percussion tool design. Montabert is now part of the Volvo Construction Equipment group and is particularly strong in European and mining markets.

History

Montabert was founded in Lyon, France in 1921 by Joseph Montabert, initially manufacturing pneumatic rock drills for the mining industry. The company was a pioneer in transitioning from pneumatic to hydraulic percussion technology in the 1960s and 1970s, developing some of the first commercially viable hydraulic breakers.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Montabert established itself as a premium European brand, particularly in France, Southern Europe, and mining applications worldwide. The company's deep expertise in rock mechanics and percussion engineering gave it a strong position in demanding quarry and underground mining applications.

Montabert was acquired by Volvo Construction Equipment, providing access to Volvo's global distribution network while maintaining its independent engineering identity.

Key Technologies

Hydraulic Percussion Pioneering

Montabert holds foundational patents in hydraulic percussion technology developed over decades of research. The company's deep understanding of percussion mechanics informs the design of its current product range, particularly in optimizing the relationship between piston mass, stroke length, and blow frequency for different rock types.

SB (Silent Block) Mounting System

Montabert's SB mounting system uses a series of rubber-metal silent blocks to isolate the breaker body from the mounting bracket. This reduces vibration transmission to the excavator arm and boom, protecting the carrier machine from fatigue damage and extending service life.

Automatic Greasing (AG) System

Montabert's AG system provides continuous automatic lubrication to the tool bushing. The system is integrated into the breaker body and uses a grease cartridge that can be replaced without removing the breaker from the excavator. This simplifies maintenance and ensures consistent lubrication.

Product Range

Model	Class	Excavator	Impact Energy	Oil Flow	Working Pressure	Notes
V 55	Mini	1–5 ton	150–320 J	22–45 L/min	100–145 bar	Compact mini/light
V 1500	Light	4–10 ton	400–700 J	48–80 L/min	120–165 bar	Light construction standard
V 3000	Medium	9–18 ton	750–1200 J	78–120 L/min	140–180 bar	Medium class standard
V 4500	Medium	15–26 ton	1200–2000 J	115–165 L/min	155–195 bar	High-production medium
V 6000	Heavy	24–42 ton	2200–3500 J	175–240 L/min	168–208 bar	Heavy quarry model
V 9000	Heavy	35–60 ton	3800–5500 J	240–330 L/min	182–222 bar	Extra heavy mining
V 17000	Extra Heavy	55–100 ton	7000–12000 J	360–520 L/min	200–250 bar	Large mining/tunneling

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

Recommended Models

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

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

Over 100 years of percussion engineering expertise
Pioneer of hydraulic rock breaking technology
Strong in European and mining markets
Volvo CE distribution network
Excellent performance in hard rock applications

Limitations

Premium pricing
Less common in Asian and emerging markets
Smaller product range at the mini/light end

Market Position

Montabert occupies a premium position in the European and global mining markets. The brand's century-long heritage and technical depth give it credibility in demanding applications where performance and reliability are paramount. Montabert competes directly with Epiroc and Rammer at the high end of the European market.