Equipment Attachments: Breakers, Grapples & Augers
Attachments turn an excavator, skid steer or loader into a breaker, grapple, auger, thumb, sweeper or tiltrotator. The wrong attachment, a poorly locked coupler or an overloaded arm can drop tools on workers, throw debris or tip the machine. Match the attachment to the machine and always confirm it is locked.
- Equipment Operators
- Demolition Crews
- Landscapers
- Spotters & Ground Crews
Common attachments
- Hydraulic breakers (hammers) for concrete and rock.
- Grapples and thumbs for demolition debris, logs and brush.
- Augers for post and pier holes.
- Buckets, rippers, compactors, shears, sweepers, forks and tiltrotators. See Excavators, Skid Steers and Forklift Attachments.
- Quick couplers (manual or hydraulic) that connect attachments quickly.
Main hazards
- Attachment falling off: a quick coupler not fully locked can drop a bucket or breaker, striking workers or the cab. This has killed operators and ground crew.
- Overloading and tipping: heavy attachments reduce lifting capacity. See Equipment Rollovers.
- Flying debris from breakers and shears, and falling material from grapples.
- Hydraulic hazards: hose bursts, injection injuries and sudden movement. See Hydraulic Hazards.
- Auger entanglement and bind-up that spins the machine or pulls tools from hands.
- Noise and vibration from breakers, and silica dust from concrete. See Silica.
- Pinch points during attachment changes.
- Utility strikes when digging or drilling. See Utility Strikes.
Changing attachments safely
- Use only attachments approved by the machine maker and rated for the carrier, and check the combined capacity and the machine's lift chart.
- Follow the coupler procedure exactly: position the attachment on level ground, engage the coupler, curl the attachment to confirm it is locked, and engage the safety pin or lock. Do the "push test" by curling against the ground. Never rely on only a visual check.
- Keep ground crew clear during the change. Lower the attachment to the ground, shut off hydraulics and relieve pressure before connecting hoses.
- Inspect attachments for cracks, worn pins, bushings and teeth, and damaged hoses. Replace worn parts.
- Use proper lifting devices to move heavy attachments, not hands.
Using attachments
- Breakers: use a FOPS/cab guard and a windshield guard, keep bystanders far back (the manufacturer's distance), don't "blank fire" (hammering without material) and don't use the breaker to pry or move material. Wear hearing protection. Shut off before leaving the seat.
- Grapples and thumbs: don't swing loads over people; keep material low; do not lift beyond capacity; watch for shifting debris.
- Augers: call 811, set up on level ground, start slowly, keep people clear of the rotating shaft and don't touch it. Stop and reverse only as the maker directs.
- Park with the attachment on the ground, controls neutral, and lock out for maintenance. See Blocking & Cribbing.
Attachment checklist
- The attachment is approved for the machine and within rated capacity
- The coupler is locked, pinned and push-tested before work
- Ground crew is clear during changes and operation
- Hoses are inspected and pressure is relieved before disconnecting
- Cab guards, 811 locates and PPE are in place for the task
Standards & references
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