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"You need to know what you're using the hammer for," agrees Meisel. "That way you won't be overpaying for a breaker that is larger than you need, nor will you have to pay to make repairs on a breaker that is too small."

Match to the carrier
"Be sure to check the attachment's hydraulic oil flow and pressure requirements before you buy, rent or lease an attachment," Smith advises. "If the carrier can't produce the amount of oil flow and pressure the attachment needs, [you] won't be happy with the performance of the attachment.

"The hammer will not hit properly, nor will it hit hard and fast enough to break the desired material," he continues. "If there is too much oil flow and pressure, then it will damage the hammer."

Keep in mind the tool diameter and weight of the hammer, as well. "A higher piston weight equates to a larger tool," Smith points out. "That will produce a higher constant blow energy."

Yet, it's important to maintain a balance. "If the breaker is too big, the carrier won't be able to lift it, or it's going to get [the breaker] up in the air and start tipping. That can be a dangerous situation," says Meisel. "If the breaker is too small for the carrier, the carrier will generally overflow the breaker and cause a lot of different issues. It will send too much power into the breaker and [the breaker] will beat itself apart. You may see some splitting in the housing and some lower body issues."