Darda Hydraulic Rock Splitters, Concrete Crushers & Power Packs
Darda invented the hydraulic rock and concrete splitter in 1967 and still builds the best one — splitting rock and reinforced concrete from the inside with up to 1,817,000 lbf of force, nearly silent, with no flying debris and no vibration. Crowder Supply stocks the full handheld range: C2S through C12 splitters and complete splitter kits, the HCS8 Combi Shear, hydraulic power packs in air, gas, electric, and diesel, plus the wedges, feathers, and grease that keep them splitting.
The short version
Breaking rock or concrete by hand? Start with a complete splitter kit — a C-series splitter matched to its power pack, from $30,758. Splitting from an excavator? The carrier-mounted C20 — or the WIDA drill & split rig that drills its own holes — is a call-to-quote. Cutting walls, pipe, and rebar? The HCS8 Combi Shear. Already running Darda? Wedge sets, feathers, and grease ship same day. You can also compare every brand we stock in Concrete & Rock Splitters and Darda Splitter Kits. Not sure? Call 1-888-883-5144 and we will size a splitter to your rock.
Hand-Held Rock & Concrete Splitters — C2S to C12
Five splitting cylinders, one principle: drill a hole, insert the wedge set, and hydraulic pressure drives the central wedge between two counter wedges — cracking rock and concrete from the inside in seconds. Every model runs off the same power packs and S1 hoses; pick your cylinder by hole size and force. Most starters buy theirs as a complete kit.
Darda C2S Rock and Concrete Splitter
The smallest cylinder in the line drills the smallest hole — 1.22–1.26 in. — and still delivers 783,000 lbf of theoretical splitting force. At 37 lb and 29 in. long, it splits where nothing else fits: crawl spaces, vaults, basements, and trench walls.
Choose it when: you demo next to occupied space, remove curbs, steps, and boulders in tight quarters, or your drill tops out at 1-1/4 in. holes.
Key specs
Darda C4E Rock and Concrete Splitter
The mid-size step-up: 1,017,000 lbf from a 1.38–1.42 in. hole with the N set. Swap to the WL wedge set and it trades force (734,000 lbf) for a longer 0.55 in. splitting travel — the wider crack when the rock wants coaxing.
Choose it when: you want real force from a mid-size drill hole, with the option to run the longer WL set in blocky or layered material.
Key specs
Darda C9 Rock and Concrete Splitter
The classic first Darda: same 1.77–1.89 in. hole as the C12, shortest minimum depth in the heavy class at 16.1 in., and with one enlarging plus one special enlarging counter wedge its splitting distance stretches from 0.7 to a full 2.1 in.
Choose it when: you split a bit of everything — foundations, ledge, boulders — and want the widest crack per hole without stepping up to C12 money.
Key specs
Darda C10S Rock and Concrete Splitter
The deep-hole specialist: 1,111,000 lbf from a 1.61–1.69 in. hole drilled to 24.8 in. — the reach that block quarrying and thick foundations ask for. The Jura wedge set (911,000 lbf, 22 in. depth) is the soft-stone option for marble and limestone.
Choose it when: you quarry dimension stone or split deep, thick sections where hole depth does the work.
Key specs
Darda C12 Rock and Concrete Splitter
The flagship and our best seller. Three wedge sets tune it to the job: N for all-around work (1,363,000 lbf), L for maximum force — 1,817,000 lbf, the hardest push in the hand-held line — and W for wide travel, stretching to 3.1 in. with enlarging wedges.
Choose it when: you break hard rock, reinforced foundations, and piers day in, day out — or you want one splitter that covers everything with a wedge-set swap.
Key specs
Compare all five splitters side by side · All concrete & rock splitters we stock
Darda Splitter Kits — Splitter + Power Pack, Sized Together
Most first-time Darda buyers start here: one kit pairs your splitting cylinder with the AP3 air, BP3 gas, EP3 110V electric, or D4 diesel power pack, so everything matches on day one. Pick the model, then choose the power source that fits your site.
Carrier-Mounted Concrete & Rock Splitters — C20 & the WIDA Drill & Split Rig
When the job outgrows hand-held splitting, Darda power goes on the machine: the C20 splitting cylinders put up to 1,800 tons of force on a 5–7 ton excavator or Brokk robot, and the WIDA AB C20-T4 rig drills the hole and splits it in one remote-controlled cycle.
C20 C and C20 J — built for carriers, not compressors
The C20 runs off your carrier’s auxiliary hydraulics (2,540–3,190 psi in, 7–21 GPM) and boosts to 7,250 psi internally, so splitting force never depends on the machine. Choose the C20 C for chain-mounted vertical splitting or the C20 J with the jib mount for horizontal work, with N (25.2 in.) or L (33.1 in.) wedge sets. An automatic lubrication system greases the wedge set at every split — no manual greasing, ever. Rule of thumb from Darda: start your 3 in. holes 1–2 ft apart and let the rock tell you the spacing.
| Model | Use | L x W x H | Weight w/ N wedge set |
|---|---|---|---|
| C20 C | Vertical splitting, chain mount | 68 x 12 x 16 in. | 660 lb |
| C20 J | Horizontal splitting, jib mount | 85 x 18 x 17 in. | 860 lb |
Drill & Split Rig WIDA AB C20-T4 — the hole and the split, one machine
Not the same tool as the C20 C and J: where those split holes your drill has already made, the WIDA AB C20-T4 is a complete drill-and-split rig — a Wimmer AB2300 T4 drilling system and a machine-guided Darda C20 splitting cylinder on one carrier head, run entirely by wireless remote so the operator stands clear. Drill the 3 in. hole, index over, split — no machine changeover, no second carrier. Built for tunneling (cross-sections from 11 ft 6 in.), quarrying, and demolition where blasting is off the table and production has to keep moving.
We quote the C20 C, C20 J, and the WIDA drill & split rig with wedge sets, mounting, and commissioning support — tell us your carrier make and model and we will confirm the hydraulic match.
Concrete Crushers & Metal Shears — the HCS8 Combi Shear
One 15–17 lb hand-held body, four insert sets — the HCS8 crushes concrete, breaks brick, cuts steel, and expands openings off the same Darda power pack that runs your splitter. The quiet way to gut and core buildings.
HCS8 Combi Shear
Swap inserts in minutes: the J concrete jaw bites through walls to 6 in. thick, the B brick jaw breaks masonry to 12 in., the S sickle blade cuts pipe, cable, and profiles with 60,024 lbf, and the C shear/expander cuts 5/8 in. rebar and pushes openings apart with 15,726 lbf. No dust, no vibration, very little noise — safe indoors.
Choose it when: you are coring or gutting occupied buildings, following a splitter to cut exposed rebar, or crushing thin walls where a breaker is too loud.
Key specs
Darda Hydraulic Power Packs — Air, Gas, Electric & Diesel
The engine room of every Darda system: a two-stage pump runs the wedge out fast at low pressure, then delivers the split at 7,250 psi. Every pack connects up to three splitters or shears at once.
Darda Hydraulic Power Pack
Five power systems, one job: AP3 compressed-air for underground and refineries, BP3 Honda gas for everyday surface work, EP3 110V electric for indoor and night jobs, and the D4 diesel (electric-start optional) for quarry duty — wheeled, with pressure gage, oil-level and temperature display, and start-up lockout.
Choose it when: you buy a splitter bare, add a second pack to a growing fleet, or need a different power source for a new site. Working above 5,000 ft? Add the BP3 high-altitude carburetor kit.
Key specs
Wedges, Feathers & Grease — Keep Your Splitter Splitting
The wedge set is the working end of a Darda and it is a wear part: one central wedge rides between two counter wedges (the feathers), and a film of Darda lubricant before every split is what keeps the set alive. Running spares on the shelf is the difference between a 20-minute swap and a down splitter — every set below ships same day.
Splitter Central Wedge
The driving wedge for every hand-held model — C2, C4, C9, C10S, and C12 in N, L, W, WL, WLL, and Jura patterns. Genuine Darda hardening is the whole game here: an aftermarket wedge that galls mid-split can seize the set in the hole.
Order it when: the wedge face shows scoring or flat wear — and never shake a stuck wedge side to side; it bends the set.
Ordering notes
Splitter Counter Wedges, Pair
The two feathers that press outward against the hole wall — sold as a matched pair for C2 through C12, in the same type patterns as the central wedges. Counter wedges take the abrasion, so they usually wear first; replace them as a pair, never singly.
Order it when: feathers show flattened or bellied wear faces, or splitting distance starts falling off in good rock.
Ordering notes
Which Darda Do I Need?
Basement, vault, or tight interior demo
The C2S kit fits where nothing else does — 37 lb cylinder, 1-1/4 in. holes, silent splitting next to occupied space.
C2S kitGeneral rock & concrete demolition
The C9 or C12 kit is the classic answer — the C12’s wedge options cover hard rock, wide cracks, and heavy foundations.
Compare C9 vs C12Production splitting off a machine
The C20 on a 5–7 ton excavator or Brokk robot splits all shift — or the WIDA rig drills and splits in one cycle.
Carrier-mounted splittersBlock quarrying & natural stone
C10S and C12 with Jura and L wedge sets are the marble, granite, and sandstone standards — deep holes, controlled splits.
Quarry splittersCutting rebar, pipe & gutting buildings
The HCS8 Combi Shear cuts, crushes, and expands off the same power pack — the splitter’s cleanup partner.
HCS8 Combi ShearUnderwater or explosive-restricted sites
Splitters work fully submerged and need no blasting permit — tunnels, dams, piers, and plants in operation.
See the splittersDarda Questions, Answered
What is a Darda rock splitter and how does it work?
A Darda splitter is a hydraulic cylinder that breaks rock and concrete from the inside. You drill a hole (1.22–1.89 in. for the hand-held models), insert the wedge set, and the pump drives a central wedge between two counter wedges at up to 7,250 psi — up to 1,817,000 lbf of theoretical splitting force. Rock resists crushing from outside but not tension from inside, so a crack forms in seconds, in the direction you aimed the wedge. There is almost no noise, no vibration, no flying debris, and it works underwater. Helmut Darda invented and patented the principle in 1967, and the splitters are still built in Blumberg, Germany.
Which Darda splitter model should I buy?
Match the model to your drill and your access. The 37-lb C2S uses the smallest hole (1.22–1.26 in.) and fits the tightest spaces. The C9 is the all-rounder — with enlarging counter wedges its splitting distance reaches 2.1 in. The C12 is the flagship: N, L, and W wedge sets from 1,089,000 to 1,817,000 lbf. The C4E sits between C2S and C9, and the C10S drills deepest (24.8 in.) for quarry blocks. If you are moving serious volume, step up to the excavator-mounted C20.
What comes in a Darda splitter kit?
A Darda splitter kit pairs the splitting cylinder with the power pack of your choice — AP3 compressed-air, BP3 Honda gas, EP3 110V electric, or D4 diesel — so the system is matched and ready to work. Kits run $30,758 to $47,258 depending on model and power source. You supply the drilled holes; plan on a rock drill capable of your model’s hole diameter, plus an S1 hose if your configuration needs one, and a tub of Darda lubricant for the wedge set.
What size hole does a Darda splitter need?
By model: C2S 1.22–1.26 in., C4E 1.38–1.42 in., C10S 1.61–1.69 in., and C9 and C12 both 1.77–1.89 in. Minimum hole depth runs from 10.6 in. (C2S) to 24.8 in. (C10S) — deep enough that the wedge set has clearance to retract. The smallest diameter in each range is the most effective, and hole spacing sets your fragment size; in solid ledge, start holes 1–2 ft apart and adjust to what the rock gives you.
How do I drill the holes for a splitter?
Any rock drill that makes the diameter works. Crews without air on site like the gas-powered Cobra Combi; compressor crews run a hand-held pneumatic drill like the BBD or SRD series, and quarries drill patterns with sinker drills. We stock the drills, steel, and bits alongside the splitters — one call sizes the whole chain from hole to split.
Will a Darda splitter break reinforced concrete?
Yes — splitting force cracks the concrete and breaks off smaller rebar; heavier reinforcement is then cut with the HCS8 shear or a torch once the crack exposes it. That splitter-plus-shear pairing is how crews take out machine foundations, bridge piers, and thick walls without a hydraulic breaker’s noise and vibration.
Air, gas, electric, or diesel power pack — which one?
BP3 gas is the everyday surface choice. EP3 110V electric runs indoors, at night, and in occupied buildings. AP3 compressed-air is the pick for underground, refineries, and anywhere engines are unwelcome. The D4 diesel (electric start available) is the quarry workhorse, with 1.4 GPM at high pressure and hose sets that run up to three splitters. Working gas engines above 5,000 ft — like most of Colorado — add the BP3 high-altitude kit.
What is the Darda C20 and what does it mount on?
The C20 is Darda’s carrier-mounted splitter: 1,500 tons of theoretical force with the N wedge set, 1,800 with the L, from 3 in. drill holes. It wants a carrier of 5 tons or more (5–7 t recommended; Brokk 300/500/520D are factory-recommended) supplying 2,540–3,190 psi and 7–21 GPM — an internal booster makes the 7,250 psi splitting pressure, and an automatic system greases the wedge at every split. If you want the drilling handled too, the WIDA AB C20-T4 drill & split rig pairs a Wimmer drill with a machine-guided C20 cylinder under one wireless remote. Both are sold by quote with wedge sets and mounting: call 1-888-883-5144 with your carrier make and model.
How much does a Darda rock splitter cost?
Bare splitting cylinders run $15,576 (C2S) to $21,912 (C12). Complete kits with a power pack run $30,758 to $47,258 depending on model and power source. Wear parts are the ongoing cost: central wedges from $662, counter wedge pairs from $1,398, and lubricant from $74. The C20 excavator splitter is quoted with mounting and wedge sets.
Does Darda make jackhammers or breakers?
No — Darda’s whole point is the opposite of impact tools. The line is splitters, the HCS8 Combi Shear, and the power packs that run them: demolition by controlled cracking instead of hammering, for sites where noise, vibration, dust, or blasting rules out a breaker. If your job does call for a breaker or jackhammer, we stock those from other brands in our construction tools range.
Where can I buy Darda splitters and parts in the USA?
Right here — Crowder Supply is a stocking Darda dealer in Denver, Colorado, shipping nationwide. Splitters, kits, power packs, hoses, wedge sets, feathers, lubricant, and seal kits are on our shelf, and our product experts have specced Darda systems for quarries, tunnel crews, and demolition contractors for decades. Call 1-888-883-5144 and we will size a system to your rock.
Put a Darda to Work
Tell us the material, the access, and what powers your site — we will match the splitter, the power pack, the hoses, and the wedge spares in one call.