Hydraulic breaker for 8–12 t excavators: XP400 or XP800?
Thunderline OÜ editorial teamIf you are looking for a hydraulic breaker for an 8–12 t excavator, two Promove models meet in this class: the XP400 and the XP800. The XP400 belongs to the XP Series Light Range and covers machines up to 10 t. The XP800 belongs to the XP Series Medium/Heavy Range and starts where the XP400 ends. Their carrier classes overlap between 9 t and 10 t, but the working weight, oil flow, pressure, tool diameter and cover plates are clearly different. So which one is right for your machine?
The short answer: the operating weight of your excavator narrows the choice, and the oil flow and pressure of the auxiliary circuit decide it. This guide puts the datasheet values side by side, gives a quick table by machine weight from 8 t to 12 t, and lists the checks we run before we confirm fit in a written quote.
XP400 and XP800 side by side
All values below come from the Promove datasheets shown on our product pages.
| Datasheet value | Promove XP400 | Promove XP800 |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier class | 5.5–10 t (optimal 6.5–9 t) | 9–18 t (optimal 10–15 t) |
| Working weight | 430 kg | 800 kg |
| Oil flow | 70–80 l/min | 90–110 l/min |
| Working pressure | 120–140 bar | 165–175 bar |
| Relief valve setting on excavator | 190 bar | 225 bar |
| Max. back pressure | 25 bar | 25 bar |
| Tool diameter | 80 mm | 100 mm |
| Useful tool length | 390 mm | 520 mm |
| Impact energy | 1440 J | 3602 J |
| Hose connections | 3/4" GAS | 1" GAS |
| Mounting | Bolt-on cover plate 395 × 440 mm, 20 mm | Bolt-on cover plate 480 × 495 mm, 25 mm |
In short, the XP800 is almost twice as heavy as the XP400, carries the larger 100 mm tool and needs more oil at a higher pressure. The XP400 is the lighter unit for machines up to 10 t; its optimal range is 6.5–9 t. The XP800 has an optimal range of 10–15 t and is listed for primary breaking in quarries, medium-hard rock and heavy, long-duration work. The cover plates and hose connections are not the same.
First check: the operating weight of your excavator
Use the operating weight from the data plate or the manual of your machine, not the size class in the model name. A machine sold as a 10 t model can be lighter or heavier depending on cab, counterweight, tracks, quick coupler and bucket. Then compare that weight with the carrier class and the optimal range of each breaker:
| Excavator operating weight | Promove XP400 | Promove XP800 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 t | inside the optimal range | below the carrier class |
| 9 t | inside the optimal range | inside the carrier class, below the optimal range |
| 10 t | inside the carrier class (upper end), above the optimal range | start of the optimal range |
| 11 t | above the carrier class | inside the optimal range |
| 12 t | above the carrier class | inside the optimal range |
Only between 9 t and 10 t are both breakers inside their carrier class. In that narrow band the hydraulics decide, together with the work you plan: the XP800 brings the 100 mm tool and the higher impact energy, while the XP400 is the lighter unit on the arm. Below 9 t only the XP400 is in class for this pair, and above 10 t only the XP800. From 11 t to 12 t the XP800 is inside its optimal range.
Second check: auxiliary oil flow and pressure
A breaker only works as intended if the auxiliary circuit delivers the flow and pressure it was designed for. The XP400 needs 70–80 l/min at 120–140 bar, the XP800 needs 90–110 l/min at 165–175 bar. The flow ranges do not overlap, and the XP800 also needs a clearly higher working pressure, so on many machines in the 8–12 t class the hammer circuit values decide between these two models.
You find the auxiliary circuit data in the excavator manual, or your machine dealer can tell you. If the manual lists several modes, use the values for the hammer circuit. Too little flow makes the breaker slow, while too much flow or pressure overloads it and shortens its service life.
Third check: relief valve and return line
The relief valve of the breaker circuit on the excavator is set to 190 bar for the XP400 and to 225 bar for the XP800. Both breakers allow a maximum back pressure of 25 bar in the return line. If your machine has no direct return line to the tank, the back pressure can be too high; we check this with you before we confirm fit.
Mounting: cover plate, coupler and adapter plate
The two breakers do not share the same cover plate. The XP400 comes with a bolt-on cover plate 395 × 440 mm, 20 mm thick, with 12 × Ø18 mm holes; hose connections are 3/4" GAS. The XP800 comes with a bolt-on cover plate 480 × 495 mm, 25 mm thick, with 13 × Ø22 mm holes; hose connections are 1" GAS. The length from tool tip to top plate is 1390 mm on the XP400 and 1995 mm on the XP800, which matters for reach and transport.
Excavators in the 8–12 t class mostly run a quick coupler, and some run a pin-on mount. The breaker then needs a top bracket or adapter plate that matches your coupler type or your pin dimensions. This part is not included as standard; whether and how it is supplied is confirmed in the written quote. Both breakers are supplied with hydraulic hoses.
Tool and wear parts
Both breakers are supplied with a moil (conical) point. The XP400 uses an 80 mm tool with 390 mm useful length, the XP800 a 100 mm tool with 520 mm useful length. The datasheet wear limits are a minimum tool diameter of 77.8 mm and a maximum chuck bushing of 83 mm for the XP400, and 97 mm and 103.5 mm for the XP800. If you already run one of the two models, choosing the same model again keeps your spare chisels and bushings the same.
Typical work in this class
The XP400 is listed for demolition, trenching and road construction work, and it has a silenced, fully enclosed box-type casing, which is useful on sites close to buildings. The XP800 is listed for primary breaking in quarries, breaking medium-hard rock and heavy, long-duration work; according to Promove it has a heavy-duty silenced casing and a valve to adjust frequency and impact energy to the hardness of the rock. Choose by the work you plan, not only by the weight of the machine.
What to send us for a fit check
Send these details with your enquiry, and we check them against the datasheet:
- excavator make, model and operating weight,
- quick coupler type or pin dimensions,
- flow and pressure of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit,
- relief valve setting, and whether the return line goes directly to the tank,
- your company name and VAT number.
Not sure about your machine data? Use our attachment finder, or see the overview for the Kubota KX080-4 hydraulic breaker fit.
How ordering works (B2B only)
Thunderline is an Authorised Promove dealer. We sell to business customers with a valid VAT number issued in the country of delivery, verified in VIES. You receive a written quote for the breaker and any bracket or adapter plate, with the freight to your site shown as a separate line. Payment is only due after we have checked your VAT number, confirmed fit and you have accepted the quote.
Warranty: 12-month warranty from the date of delivery, claims handled through Thunderline.
Ready to choose? See the Promove XP400 or the Promove XP800, or request a written quote with your machine details. Quote within 2 hours.
CE marked – manufacturer's Certificate of Conformity (CoC) supplied with the machine on delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Which hydraulic breaker fits a 10 t excavator?
Of these two models, both are in class at 10 t: it is the upper end of the XP400 carrier class (5.5–10 t) and the start of the XP800 optimal range (10–15 t). The auxiliary circuit decides: the XP400 needs 70–80 l/min at 120–140 bar, the XP800 needs 90–110 l/min at 165–175 bar.
Can I use the XP400 on a 12 t excavator?
No. 12 t is above the XP400 carrier class of 5.5–10 t. On a 12 t machine the XP800 is inside its optimal range of 10–15 t, provided the auxiliary circuit delivers 90–110 l/min at 165–175 bar.
Which breaker for a 9 t excavator?
9 t is inside the optimal range of the XP400 (6.5–9 t) and at the lower end of the XP800 carrier class (9–18 t), below its optimal range. For most work on a 9 t machine the XP400 is the closer match. We confirm fit in the written quote.
Do the XP400 and XP800 need an adapter plate?
Each model comes with its own bolt-on cover plate (395 × 440 mm on the XP400, 480 × 495 mm on the XP800). For your quick coupler or pin-on mount you need a matching bracket or adapter plate. It is not included as standard and is confirmed in the written quote.
How fast do I get a quote?
Quote within 2 hours. Send your machine model, operating weight, coupler type and auxiliary circuit data, together with your company name and EU VAT number. Freight is always shown as a separate line.