A demolition excavator is the central carrier machine for the structured deconstruction of buildings, industrial plants, and rock formations. It combines reach height, payload, and hydraulic power with precisely controllable attachments such as concrete pulverizers, hydraulic rock and concrete splitters, combi shears, multi cutters, steel shears, or tank cutters. In combination with methods of selective deconstruction, components can be released with low vibration, separated by type, and prepared for recycling. Applications range from concrete demolition and special demolition through strip-out and cutting to rock excavation, tunnel construction, natural stone extraction, and special operations—always aiming to balance safety, precision, and efficiency.
Definition: What is meant by demolition excavator
A demolition excavator is an excavator specially configured for demolition and deconstruction tasks, designed for maximum stability, reach height, and hydraulic attachment performance. Typical features include reinforced booms, protective glazing and guards, additional hydraulic circuits for attachments, cabs optimized for dust and impact protection, and modular boom concepts such as high-reach or long-front booms. Depending on the application, crawler or wheeled undercarriages are used. The demolition excavator serves as a carrier machine for a wide range of attachments, including concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, combi shears, multi cutters, steel shears, and tank cutters, providing the appropriate working method for the material, component geometry, and boundary conditions.
Technical design and key components
The demolition excavator is designed to safely handle high tool masses and provide the necessary hydraulic power. The interplay of undercarriage, upper carriage, boom kinematics, counterweighting, quick coupler, and auxiliary hydraulics enables a wide spectrum of deconstruction methods—from powerful crushing and cutting to controlled splitting with minimal vibration.
Hydraulics, auxiliary circuits, and power supply
Decisive are sufficiently strong, finely controllable hydraulic circuits with appropriate flow and pressure values. Double-acting circuits are standard for concrete pulverizers, combi shears, and multi cutters; precise pressure balancing ensures tool service life and process quality. For rock and concrete splitters, depending on the working environment, either the onboard hydraulics of the demolition excavator or separate hydraulic power units from Darda GmbH are suitable. This solution is particularly useful when the splitting technology is operated spatially separated, in sensitive areas, or under confined conditions.
Protection systems, stability, and visibility
Deconstruction-specific protection systems such as overhead protection, splinter-resistant glazing, and debris deflection grilles protect the operator. Stability is ensured by appropriate counterweighting, undercarriage width, boom configuration, and working range limitation. Assistance functions for load and reach monitoring reduce the risk of tipping and collisions. For high-precision work, a good line of sight to the tool is essential; cameras and lighting provide support in dust, confined geometries, and night work.
Attachments for the demolition excavator
The choice of attachment determines the demolition method, process quality, and effects on the surroundings, structural behavior, and recycling. For structured deconstruction, concrete pulverizers and rock and concrete splitters are frequently used; they are complemented by combi shears, multi cutters, steel shears, and tank cutters to create a flexible tool portfolio.
Concrete pulverizers: crushing and separating in a single step
Concrete pulverizers grip and crush concrete components in a controlled manner. Reinforcing steel can be selectively exposed and cut. Advantages include lower vibration compared to percussive methods, good force metering, and the ability to release components section by section. In selective deconstruction, this contributes to clean material separation and reduced secondary damage to adjacent components.
Rock and concrete splitters: controlled splitting with minimal vibration
Rock and concrete splitters act via hydraulically driven wedges inserted into predrilled holes. The splitting forces quietly open massive concrete or rock bodies along guided cracks—ideal under sensitive boundary conditions, such as inner-city locations, near vibration-sensitive installations, or in tunnel construction. In combination with hydraulic power packs from Darda GmbH, rock splitting cylinders can be operated independently of the carrier machine, improving logistics and ergonomics in hard-to-access areas.
Combi shears, multi cutters, and steel shears
Combi shears and multi cutters cover material changes between concrete, steel, and hybrid constructions and are versatile for strip-out, separation cuts, and dismantling. Steel shears efficiently cut sections, beams, and reinforcement, while tank cutters are designed for the safe separation of tanks, boilers, and pipelines. Well-planned tool change strategies reduce setup times and increase process stability.
Applications and typical methods
Demolition excavators and the attachments mentioned cover a broad field. The choice of method depends on component thickness, structure, boundary conditions, and environmental protection requirements.
Concrete demolition and special demolition
For massive components, concrete pulverizers are used for primary demolition and stepwise size reduction. Where vibration limits are tight, rock and concrete splitters offer a quiet and controlled alternative. High-reach work on facades and shafts is performed with high-reach booms; stepwise load reduction and the controlled lowering of components are the focus.
Strip-out and cutting
Inside buildings, compact carrier machines with multi cutters and combi shears are in demand. Lines, cable trays, and installations are separated before load-bearing structures are worked with concrete pulverizers or splitting technology. Tank cutters support the safe disassembly of tanks and pipelines, for example prior to deconstruction of plant areas.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
Underground, low-vibration work is particularly important. Rock and concrete splitters with rock splitting cylinders enable advance and support works with limited crack propagation and reduced blasting shock effects. They are suitable for profile corrections, niches and shafts, as well as for controlled loosening work in sensitive zones.
Natural stone extraction
In the extraction of natural stone blocks, splitting technology helps create defined separation joints and minimize microcrack formation. The demolition excavator positions the cylinders and assists in lifting and moving the extracted blocks, often in combination with mechanical lifting and securing devices.
Special applications
Special deconstruction projects—such as in industrial plants, laboratory areas, or densely built urban quarters—benefit from quiet, low-dust, and low-vibration methods. Concrete pulverizers and rock and concrete splitters allow fine force metering and reduce secondary damage to adjacent systems.
Selection criteria for demolition excavators and attachments
- Component geometry and reach height: high-reach/long-front needs, working radii, and lift paths
- Operating weight and tool mass: permissible tool weights, center of gravity, counterweight
- Hydraulic performance: flow, pressure, return, oil cooling, filtration
- Tool strategy: concrete pulverizer for concrete and rebar, rock and concrete splitters for low-vibration separation; complementing combi shears, multi cutters, steel shears, tank cutters
- Material mix: concrete strength, reinforcement ratio, steel sections, composite materials
- Environmental constraints: noise, dust, and vibration limits; proximity to sensitive infrastructure
- Logistics: transport width/height, setup times, quick coupler, power supply (hydraulic power packs)
- Protection and assistance: visibility, cameras, protective grilles, working range limitation
- Resource efficiency: energy demand per m³, degree of fragmentation, recyclability
Workflow in selective deconstruction
- Analysis and planning: survey of existing conditions, material inventory, structural consideration of the deconstruction sequence
- Strip-out: removal of non-load-bearing elements with multi cutters and combi shears; disconnection of utilities
- Separation cuts and securing: preparatory cuts, suspensions, and fixings for controlled lowering
- Primary demolition: removal of load-bearing components with concrete pulverizers in defined sections
- Low-vibration division: use of rock and concrete splitters on sensitive or massive components
- Sorting: clean separation of concrete, steel, and mixed fractions for recycling and disposal
- Finishing: fine crushing, edge smoothing, clearing, and surface control
Occupational safety, environmental, and permitting aspects
Deconstruction work requires a systematic hazard assessment and compliance with the relevant regulations. This includes barriers, defined fall and slewing zones, load-bearing set-up areas, and control of stability in all construction states. Dust and noise reduction must be supported by water mist systems, suitable working methods, and an adapted process strategy. Low-vibration methods with concrete pulverizers and rock and concrete splitters help meet sensitive limit values. Statements on legal requirements are generally of a general nature; in individual cases, the binding specifications of the competent authorities are decisive.
Maintenance, operation, and service life
Reliable operation requires well-maintained hydraulic systems, clean couplings, and appropriate pressure/flow values. Wear parts on concrete pulverizers (blades, jaws), seals on rock splitting cylinders, and hose lines must be inspected regularly. Quick couplers, pins, and bushings require defined lubrication intervals. Hydraulic power packs must be monitored for oil quality, filter condition, and leak-tightness. Documented commissioning with functional and load tests improves process reliability and extends the service life of the carrier machine and tools.
Planning and key figures over the project course
For reliable schedule and cost planning, realistic performance rates, tool change times, material logistics, and disposal routes must be considered. Useful key figures are throughput per hour, energy per cubic meter, degree of fragmentation, recycling rate, and downtime. Consistent documentation provides the basis for optimizations in subsequent project phases and facilitates the choice between concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters, and complementary cutting or shearing tools.