The hydraulic shear is a powerful excavator attachment for cutting through steel and metal structures. Two hardened cutting blades generate closing forces of 50 to over 200 tons and cut steel beams, reinforcing steel, piping, and scrap metal into defined pieces.
A distinction is made between demolition shears (for steel structure dismantling, mounted on the excavator arm) and scrap shears (stationary or mobile, for metal processing). Demolition shears such as the Epiroc CC series operate with a rotatable cutting head (360°), enabling any cutting position. The Genesis GXP scrap shear combines cutting function with an integrated compacting jaw.
In demolition applications, hydraulic shears often work together with demolition grabs: the grab breaks the concrete, and the shear cuts the exposed reinforcement. Blade changes are performed on-site—a worn blade set can be replaced in 2–3 hours. Wear-resistant steels (Hardox 500/600) ensure long service life.