Picking the right excavator rock drill and splitter comes down to matching the attachment to three things: the rock you're working in, the excavator's hydraulic and lifting muscle, and the project's needs for fracture control, production rate, and site restrictions. A unit that's undersized for the carrier won't deliver, while one that's too big can overwhelm the hydraulic system and throw off stability. This guide walks through the key selection factors in the order that actually matters—starting with the rock and working through to the configuration details that drive long-term productivity.
Start with the Rock Conditions
The first and most important factor is the rock type and hardness you're dealing with. Drilling and splitting works best in medium to hard competent rock—think granite, basalt, limestone, marble, sandstone, and quartzite. In soft rock or heavily fractured material, a hydraulic breaker or even just a bucket might be more cost-effective because you don't need the controlled fracture that drilling and splitting provides. In really hard, massive rock, drilling and splitting often out-performs breaking because the static splitting force fractures the rock reliably regardless of hardness, whereas a breaker's impact energy can just get absorbed without doing much.
Beyond hardness, look at the rock structure. Massive, homogeneous rock with few natural fractures is ideal—the split follows the plane you set with the wedge. Heavily fractured or jointed rock can split unpredictably, which cuts into the benefit of controlled fracture and might make a breaker the better call. Also factor in abrasiveness. Highly abrasive rock like quartzite or high-silica granite will eat through drill bits and wedge components faster, pushing up maintenance costs and replacement frequency.
Match the Excavator Size and Hydraulics
The excavator's operating weight is the main factor in figuring out which drill-splitter model fits. TGEC models cover excavators from 20 to 50 tons: the TG-RDS115 is for 20-ton carriers, the TG-RDS130 for 30 to 36-ton machines, and the TG-RDS152 for 30 to 50-ton excavators. Attachment weights run from 3.2 to 4.85 tons, so you need to make sure the excavator's lift capacity at the working reach can handle the attachment weight plus the drilling and splitting loads. An attachment that's too heavy can make the machine unstable, especially when you're reaching out or working at height, and it'll accelerate wear on the boom and stick pins and bushings.
The auxiliary hydraulic circuit is just as important. Each model has a specific flow requirement—210 L/min for the TG-RDS115 up to 280 L/min for the TG-RDS152—and needs enough operating pressure. The system also has to feed the onboard air compressor, which moves 15 to 21 cubic meters per minute depending on the model. Too little flow and you'll get slow drilling, weak splitting, and poor compressor performance; too much flow can damage the hydraulic components. When you're evaluating a machine, check the auxiliary flow and pressure specs, how many auxiliary circuits are available, and whether the machine can be plumbed for the connections you'll need.
Evaluate Drilling Requirements
The hole diameter and depth you need determine the splitter wedge size. TGEC models offer drilling diameters from 115 mm on the TG-RDS115 to 155 mm on the TG-RDS152, with maximum depths from 1.4 to 1.95 meters. The hole diameter you need depends on rock hardness and the block size you're after. Bigger holes take larger wedges that deliver more splitting force—good for harder rock or larger blocks. Smaller holes drill faster but generate less force, which works for softer rock or smaller blocks.
Drilling depth should match the fracture depth you need. For most quarry and excavation work, 1.4 to 2.0 meters is enough to produce manageable blocks. If you need deeper fractures, you might need a model with greater drilling depth, or you can drill multiple holes at different depths. Drilling speed is typically around 0.8 meters per minute in medium-hard rock across all three models. In harder rock, it'll be slower, so factor that into your production estimates. The drill bit type and quality also affect speed and life—carbide-tipped bits are standard for hard rock.
Consider Splitting Performance and Features
Splitting force and cycle time determine how fast the rock breaks after the hole is drilled. Rated thrust goes from 3,200 kg on the TG-RDS115 to 6,000 kg on the TG-RDS152, and the splitting cycle runs 8 to 10 seconds. Higher thrust models are for harder rock or bigger blocks; lower thrust models handle softer rock or smaller blocks. Wedge length runs from 1,050 to 1,500 mm and should match your drilling depth.
A few features can make a real difference in productivity and ease of use. Dual 360-degree rotation on both the main frame and splitter head lets you drill and split on vertical walls, overhead surfaces, and angled faces without moving the excavator—huge in tunneling and quarrying. Wireless remote control keeps the operator at a safe distance from the rock face, improving safety and visibility. Automatic displacement compensation keeps splitting force steady as the rock fractures. Non-destructive dust removal suppresses dust without burning extra energy. And adjustable frame height lets you adapt to different working heights and terrain. Which features matter most depends on your specific project and working conditions.
Jobsite and Project Factors
Beyond the technical specs, a few project-level factors come into play. If you're working in an urban area or near existing structures, utilities, or pipelines, the low vibration and noise of drilling and splitting might be required by local regulations, making it the only viable option regardless of rock conditions. If you're in dimension stone production, the controlled fracture direction is essential for producing sellable blocks—a breaker would ruin the stone value. If you need high-volume production in soft to medium rock with no vibration or noise restrictions, a breaker might be more cost-effective, and the drill-splitter should only be considered for the controlled sections of the job.
Also think about operator experience and training. Drilling and splitting takes a different skill set than breaking—the operator needs to understand hole spacing, wedge orientation, and fracture patterns. Most operators can pick up the basics in a short training period, but dialing in optimal production and fracture control takes experience. If your crew doesn't have experienced operators, factor in training time and potentially slower initial production. Finally, look at after-sales support—availability of replacement parts like drill bits, wedges, counter-wedges, and hydraulic seals, and the manufacturer's technical support for troubleshooting and optimization.
Making the Final Selection
To lock in your choice, start by confirming that drilling and splitting is the right method for your rock conditions and project requirements. If it is, match the model to your excavator's operating weight and hydraulic flow, then verify that the drilling diameter, depth, and splitting force meet the job needs. Evaluate which features matter most for your working conditions—dual rotation for tunneling, wireless remote for safety-sensitive sites, etc. Finally, confirm that the mounting bracket works with your excavator's pin dimensions or quick coupler, and verify after-sales support and parts availability.
When you request a quote, provide the excavator make and model, operating weight, auxiliary hydraulic flow and pressure, pin-to-pin spacing and pin diameter, rock type and approximate hardness, required drilling diameter and depth, primary application and project constraints, and the quantity you need. The supplier can then recommend the optimal model and configuration. For more detail on how the process works, see How Does an Excavator Rock Drill and Splitter Work?. For a comparison with hydraulic breaking, see Rock Drill and Splitter vs. Hydraulic Breaker: Which Method Fits the Job?. The TGEC Integrated Hydraulic Rock Drill & Splitter is available in three models for 20 to 50 ton excavators.
