Are Soosan breakers good quality?

Soosan breakers offer acceptable quality for general construction applications at a competitive price point. They are not in the same performance tier as premium European brands (Epiroc, Furukawa, Rammer), but they are reliable for standard construction work when properly maintained. The key is ensuring parts availability from a reputable local distributor.

How do Soosan breakers compare to Epiroc?

Epiroc (formerly Atlas Copco) breakers generally offer higher impact energy, better seal life, and more advanced technology features than Soosan at equivalent weight classes. Epiroc breakers typically cost 40–80% more than comparable Soosan models. For high-production quarry or mining applications, the performance difference justifies the premium. For general construction, Soosan is a viable alternative.

Where are Soosan breakers manufactured?

Soosan breakers are manufactured at facilities in both South Korea (Incheon) and China. The dual manufacturing base allows the company to serve regional markets efficiently while maintaining consistent quality standards across both locations.

Brand Profile South Korea / China Est. 1981

Soosan Hydraulic Breakers

Soosan Heavy Industries

Volume manufacturer with facilities in South Korea and China — broad SB-series range

Overview

Soosan Heavy Industries is one of the largest hydraulic breaker manufacturers in the world and among the highest-volume producers globally. The company operates manufacturing facilities in both South Korea and China. The SB series covers excavators from 1 to 50+ tons and is widely distributed across Asia, the Middle East, and emerging markets. Soosan breakers are known for competitive pricing and broad availability.

History

Soosan was founded in 1981 in Incheon, South Korea, initially as a manufacturer of construction attachments. The company expanded into hydraulic breakers in the 1980s as demand from South Korea's rapidly growing construction sector increased.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, Soosan built an extensive distribution network across Asia and the Middle East, establishing itself as a volume manufacturer serving price-sensitive markets. The company invested in manufacturing automation and quality control systems to support high-volume production while maintaining competitive pricing.

Today, Soosan operates manufacturing facilities in both South Korea and China, exporting to over 80 countries. The SB series remains the company's core product line, with models ranging from the compact SB10 for mini excavators to the SB series for large mining machines.

Key Technologies

Gas-Hydraulic Percussion System

Soosan breakers use a conventional gas-hydraulic percussion system where nitrogen gas in the accumulator works in conjunction with hydraulic oil to drive the piston. This is the industry-standard approach used by most major manufacturers. The system provides reliable performance and straightforward maintenance.

Auto-Stroke Control

Larger Soosan models (SB50 and above) incorporate an auto-stroke control system that automatically adjusts the piston stroke length based on material hardness. In hard rock, the system uses a longer stroke for maximum impact energy. In softer materials, it switches to a shorter, faster stroke for higher frequency. This improves productivity across varying material conditions.

Dust Prevention System

Soosan breakers include a dust prevention system that uses compressed air or nitrogen to create positive pressure in the front head, preventing dust and debris from entering the bushing area. This extends front head bushing life in dusty operating environments.

Product Range

Model	Class	Excavator	Impact Energy	Oil Flow	Working Pressure	Notes
SB10	Mini	1–4 ton	150–250 J	20–35 L/min	100–140 bar	Entry-level mini breaker
SB20	Mini	2–5 ton	250–400 J	30–50 L/min	110–150 bar	Popular mini class model
SB30	Light	4–8 ton	400–600 J	45–70 L/min	120–160 bar	Light construction standard
SB40	Light	6–12 ton	600–900 J	60–90 L/min	130–170 bar	Versatile mid-range model
SB43	Medium	10–18 ton	700–1000 J	70–100 L/min	140–175 bar	Medium class workhorse
SB50	Medium	12–22 ton	1000–1500 J	90–130 L/min	150–180 bar	High-production medium class
SB81	Heavy	20–40 ton	2000–3000 J	150–200 L/min	160–200 bar	Heavy quarry/demolition model

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

Recommended Models

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

SB10Mini

Excavator

1–4 ton

Impact Energy

150–250 J

Weight

85–110 kg

Oil Flow

20–35 L/min

Full Specifications

SB20Mini

Excavator

2–6 ton

Impact Energy

250–400 J

Weight

130–170 kg

Oil Flow

30–50 L/min

Full Specifications

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

Broad product range covering all excavator classes from 1 to 50+ tons
Competitive pricing — typically 20–40% below European brands at equivalent specifications
Wide global distribution network with parts availability in most markets
Straightforward design facilitates field maintenance and repair
Established track record in Asian and Middle Eastern construction markets

Limitations

Impact energy and frequency specifications are generally below European premium brands at equivalent weight class
Seal and bushing life may be shorter than premium brands in demanding applications
Less advanced technology features compared to Epiroc, Furukawa, or Rammer
After-sales support quality varies significantly by distributor

Market Position

Soosan occupies the value segment of the hydraulic breaker market. The brand competes primarily on price and availability rather than technology leadership. It is the dominant choice in price-sensitive markets (Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa) and is widely used by contractors who prioritize low acquisition cost and parts availability over maximum performance.

In premium markets (Western Europe, North America, Australia), Soosan competes as a budget alternative to European brands, typically chosen for lower-intensity applications where maximum performance is not critical.