Paving Breakers & Jackhammers

Pneumatic Jackhammers & Air Breakers

Air breakers — the classic pneumatic jack hammer — run 30-, 40-, 60-, and 90-lb classes at 660–1,850 BPM on 33–92 CFM, with 7/8″ to 1-1/4″ hex shanks. The 60-lb CP 1260 and APT 160 are the all-round road breakers, with the 90-lb CP 1290 and APT 190 for thick reinforced slab. Size them to an air compressor with the CFM to keep up.

Hydraulic Breakers

Atlas Copco LH and Chicago Pneumatic hydraulic breakers (40–60 lb class, 1,150–2,100 BPM on 5–11 GPM) — the LH 270, LH 390, and CP BRK 40 — run off a hydraulic power pack for low-vibration breaking without an air line. For carrier-mounted breaking, see excavator attachments.

Gas Jackhammers & Demo Hammers

Self-contained gas jackhammers carry their own engine, going anywhere with no compressor or power pack — the go-to gas demo hammer for fence lines, trails, and remote breaking. Shop the 40-lb-class Cobra PROe and CP Red Hawk Road at about 1,440 BPM, or the Atlas Copco Cobra Combi, which doubles as a rock drill at 2,700 BPM. Gas breakers ship at a fixed freight rate per order.

What Size Jack Hammer Do You Need?

Match the breaker class to the concrete: a 30–40 lb jackhammer handles slab up to about 4 in. and asphalt patch work; a 60 lb jackhammer is the all-round choice for 6 in. slab, sidewalks, and foundations; and a 90 lb jackhammer breaks thick reinforced slab, footings, and rock up to about 9 in. Heavier tools break faster but tire the operator and demand more air, so size to the bulk of the work, not the worst case. Full detail in our jackhammer sizing guide.

Concrete & Cement Breakers

Shopping for a concrete breaker or cement breaker? Same tool — every jack hammer on this page is a handheld concrete breaking tool, from a 30-lb breaker hammer for slab and sidewalk up to a 90-lb demolition jack hammer for reinforced concrete, footings, and rock. Pick your power source above, or read our concrete breaking tool guide to compare handheld breakers against the other ways to break concrete before you buy.

Paving Breaker & Jackhammer Spec Comparison

Every breaker we stock, by power source and weight class. Air breakers list CFM at 90 psi; hydraulic breakers list required flow in GPM; gas breakers are self-powered and need neither. Chuck sizes are the shank options available on each model — match yours before ordering points and chisels. VR = vibration-reduced.

Specs are manufacturer figures for the base tool; silenced and vibration-reduced versions weigh slightly more. Check each product page for the exact configuration, and see our guide to choosing a jackhammer if you’re deciding between models.

Steel, Accessories, and Sizing

Fit any breaker with jackhammer bits, points and chisels, blade tools, and driving tools for breaking, cutting, and driving. Keep shanks coated with chisel paste to protect the front end. Free shipping on every air and hydraulic paving breaker.

Shop Paving Breakers by Brand

Compare the line by maker: Chicago Pneumatic paving breakers (the CP 1210, 1260, and 1290 air breakers plus the BRK hydraulic series), Atlas Copco jackhammers (TEX, RTEX, LH, and the self-contained Cobra line), APT paving breakers (the U.S.-built 117, 160, and 190), Texas Pneumatic jackhammers (TX30, TX60, TX90), and Toku pavement breakers (Tamco TPB-30 through TPB-90). Each brand page carries the full spec detail and current pricing for that line.

Related Demolition Tools

For lighter or more precise work than a full-size breaker, step down to chipping hammers for vertical, overhead, and finish concrete work, rivet busters for heavy demolition in tight quarters, or clay & trench diggers that drive clay spades for digging and tamping. Browse everything in demolition & digging.

Common Questions

What is the difference between a jackhammer and a paving breaker? None — they’re the same tool. “Paving breaker” is the trade term and “jackhammer” is the common name; both describe a percussive breaker that drives a point or chisel to break concrete, asphalt, and rock.

Are these electric jackhammers? No. These are professional air, gas, and hydraulic breakers in the 30–90 lb class, heavier-duty than the corded electric demolition hammers sold for light indoor work. For corded tools, see electric hammer tools.

What size compressor runs a pneumatic jack hammer? Check the CFM column above and add headroom. A 30–40 lb air breaker draws roughly 33–64 CFM, a 60 lb class 46–76 CFM, and a 90 lb class 77–92 CFM at 90 psi. Match the tool’s rated CFM to a compressor that can sustain it — see air compressors and our air compressor buyer’s guide.

How much hydraulic flow does a breaker need? Between 5 and 11 GPM depending on model — see the flow column above. Match your power pack output to the breaker before ordering.

Do you sell jackhammer parts? Yes — for rebuild kits and wear parts, use Parts Direct or call the number at the top of the page with your model.

Should you rent or buy a jackhammer? Renting a breaker typically runs $50–$100 a day plus the compressor, so crews that break concrete more than a few weeks a year come out ahead owning. Pneumatic breakers have few wear parts and last decades with basic oiling, and every air and hydraulic breaker here ships free.

How much does a jackhammer weigh? Handheld jackhammers run from about 30 lb to 96 lb. The common classes are 30 lb for light slab and patch work, 60 lb for all-round concrete breaking, and 90 lb for thick reinforced slab and rock — see the weight column in the spec table above for exact figures by model.