YG Machinery

Anyone involved in pile foundation engineering knows that pile head removal is one of the most grueling steps. After hundreds of cast-in-place piles are driven, the pile heads that exceed the design elevation must be cut off to expose the reinforcing steel for the pile cap. Traditional manual pneumatic hammer plowing is inefficient; a worker can only break a few piles a day, generating significant noise and dust, and easily cracking the concrete beneath the pile, affecting structural quality. The advent of the pile crusher has completely changed this situation. This hydraulic attachment, mounted on an excavator, applies pressure to the pile body simultaneously with a series of cylinders, completely severing a pile head in just a few dozen seconds, leaving a clean cut and undamaged reinforcing steel. Its efficiency is more than ten times that of manual labor, while the cost is only a fraction of that of manual labor.

YG Machinery is one of the earliest manufacturers in China to develop modular hydraulic pile crushers. Its product series covers the entire pile diameter range from 400mm to 2500mm, with corresponding models for both round and square piles. Its products have been exported to more than 100 countries and regions, including Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Romania, and Australia.

If you are also struggling with engineering efficiency and costs, please contact us now to obtain product information and solve your problems.

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Check YG Hot-sale Concrete Pile Crusher Machine Technical Parameters

Module Number	PCS	4	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Combination of the total weight	KG	1600	2640	2970	3300	3630	3960	4290	4620	4950	5280	5610	5940
Pile diameter range	mm	400-600	600-800	800-1000	1000-1150	1150-1300	1300-1500	1500-1650	1650-1800	1800-1970	1970-2200	2200-2360	2360-2500
Hydraulic excavator	T	20T-30T			30T-40T				Hydraulic system/pump station
Max.Thrust		300KN		Max.Cylinder required		20L/min		Machinery Tonnage		≥20T		Location pinΦ35
Max.Cylinder Trip		300mm		Chisel diameter		110mm		Single module weight		335KG
Max.Cylinder Pressure		300MPa		Max.Hoist Capacity		≤500mm		Singlemodulesize		1015*865*340mm

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YG Concrete Pile Breaker Structure

• Power Unit – This can be an excavator’s hydraulic system or a separate hydraulic pump station. Excavator mounting is the most convenient, while pump station drive is suitable for scenarios where a suitable excavator is unavailable.
• Module Group – Each module is an independent hydraulic cylinder + chisel unit, the component that actually performs the breaking action. The number of modules determines the diameter of piles that can be broken.
• Connecting Frame – Multiple modules are connected in series to form a ring or square frame, ensuring uniform force distribution and synchronized action across all modules.
• Lifting Chain/Hanger – Used to suspend the equipment, maintaining its level and stability. Connected via quick-connect couplings when mounted on an excavator.
• Hydraulic Piping System – Multiple parallel high-pressure hydraulic lines ensure simultaneous output and synchronized advancement of all cylinders.
• Chisel (Drill Bit) – The component that directly contacts the concrete, made of forged alloy steel with a hardness of HRC58-62, offering wear resistance and impact resistance.

Key Materials and Processes:

• Cylinder Body: Forged and tempered 42CrMo alloy steel, precision honed inner wall.
• Piston: High-strength alloy steel, surface hard chrome plated 0.03- 0.05 mm.
• Beat Rod: High-quality alloy structural steel, integrally quenched and tempered.
• Frame: Welded Q355B manganese steel plate with stress relief treatment.
• Seals: Imported Parker/Trelleburg brand, high-pressure and high-temperature resistant.

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5 Core Technical Features of Modular Pile Breakers

1. Modular Design, One Machine Does the Work of Several

This is the biggest advantage of modular pile breakers. Each module is an independent hydraulic cylinder unit, connected in series via pins. Fewer modules are needed for smaller pile diameters, and more modules are needed for larger pile diameters. The YG series offers models with 4 to 18 modules, covering round piles from 400mm to 2500mm and square piles from 300mm to 800mm. For construction sites with different pile diameters, no equipment replacement is needed; simply add or remove modules.

2. Synchronous Hydraulic Technology, Simultaneous Multi-Point Force Application

All cylinders are connected in parallel on the same hydraulic circuit, extending simultaneously upon oil intake, ensuring uniform force application. This ring-shaped, multi-point simultaneous pressure application method ensures that the concrete breaks cleanly along the horizontal direction, resulting in a flat cross-section and preventing one-sided cracking. The thrust of a single module ranges from 320kN to 650kN, and the total thrust of all modules can reach thousands to tens of thousands of tons.

3. Static Cutting, No Damage to Reinforcing Steel or Cracks in the Pile

Unlike impact-based demolition methods like hydraulic breakers or pneumatic picks, pile breakers use static pressure cutting. The hydraulic cylinders slowly and steadily apply pressure to the pile, causing the concrete to break horizontally under shear force, while the reinforcing steel remains completely unaffected. This is crucial for cast-in-place piles that require preserving the reinforcing steel for the foundation connection—preventing quality issues such as bent reinforcing steel or cracked piles.

4. Remote Control, Workers Away from Hazards

The entire machine is operated by the excavator driver from inside the cab, controlled by pilot valves in the excavator’s hydraulic system. Workers only need to assist with positioning, eliminating the need to stand beside the pile with a pneumatic pick as in manual pile breaking. Safety hazards such as flying rocks, dust, and falls from heights are significantly reduced, meeting modern construction safety standards.

5. Environmentally Friendly and Low-Noise, Suitable for Urban Construction

The operating noise of a pile breaker is approximately 75-85 decibels, much lower than the 100+ decibels of a pneumatic pick. There is also no impact vibration, so it will not disturb surrounding buildings or underground pipelines. In urban areas, near residential areas, and construction sites next to hospitals and schools, pile breakers are one of the few pile head treatment solutions that can be carried out in compliance with regulations.

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Case Studies of Projects Completed by Clients in Singapore and the Philippines Using YG Pile Breakers

Case Study 1: Thomson-East Coast Line MRT Project, Singapore

Client Background:

Welson Engineering, a local Singaporean foundation contractor, undertook the pile foundation work for a station on the Thomson-East Coast Line MRT. The station is located in a prime urban area, surrounded by office buildings and shopping malls, requiring stringent noise and vibration controls. The piles are bored cast-in-place piles, with diameters of 1000mm and 1200mm, using C35 concrete, and a pile head height of approximately 1.2 meters, totaling approximately 600 piles.

Challenges:

High labor costs in Singapore make manual pile breaking uneconomical; strict noise restrictions in the city (≤75 decibels during the day, ≤65 decibels at night); tight deadlines, with the client providing only a 20-day window for pile head treatment.

Solution:

In 2023, two 11-module hydraulic pile breakers were purchased, along with two Komatsu PC200 excavators, operating in two shifts.

Usage Results:

• 65-75 piles broken per day, all 600 pile heads successfully processed within 20 days.
• Measured noise level was 78 decibels, fully compliant with regulations during construction within the perimeter fence, with no complaints received.
• Smooth cross-sections, 100% rebar integrity, passed the supervisor’s inspection on the first attempt.
• Saves approximately 60% in costs compared to manual methods, completed 3 days ahead of schedule.

Client Testimonial:

“In Singapore, labor is expensive, and compliance requirements are high. We previously used other brands of pile breakers, which suffered from severe oil leaks and frequent drill rod breakage. We’ve used YG equipment for two years, only replacing the seals once, and the drill rods have a longer lifespan than before. Crucially, their service response is fast; problems can be resolved via video call. We will definitely buy YG again for our next project.” — Project Manager Mr. Tan Wei Liang

Case Study 2: Large-Scale Residential Project in Manila, Philippines

Client Background:

A flagship residential project by a well-known real estate developer in Manila, Philippines, consisting of five 45-story high-rise residential towers. The foundation utilizes bored piles and a raft foundation, with pile diameters of 800mm, C30 concrete, and pile head heights of 1.5 meters, totaling approximately 2400 piles.

Challenges:

Large project scale, tight schedule, and numerous pile heads; low efficiency of local workers, resulting in slow manual pile breaking progress; limited working window due to the rainy season.

Solution:

In 2024, four 9-module pile breakers will be procured in batches for use with Caterpillar 320 excavators.

Performance Results:

• A single machine breaks an average of 50-60 piles per day; four machines can complete over 200 piles per day at peak times.
• The entire pile head treatment project was completed in just 35 days, three times faster than manual methods.
• The equipment is adapted to the hot and rainy environment of the Philippines, and the hydraulic system operates stably.
• Local workers can operate the machine after just two days of training, making it easy to learn.

Customer Testimonial:

“Previously, we outsourced pile head work to local workers, which was slow and the quality was inconsistent. After purchasing YG’s pile breakers, efficiency improved, and costs actually decreased. The equipment is of excellent quality; it’s been used for over a year now, and apart from routine drill rod replacements, there haven’t been any major problems. The sales manager was also very professional, providing many practical suggestions during the selection process.” — Project Purchasing Manager Juan Dela Cruz

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Frequently Asked Questions about Concrete Pile Breakers