An excavator drum cutter is a hydraulic attachment designed for controlled milling and cutting of rock, concrete, hard soil, asphalt, and other difficult materials. Unlike a hydraulic breaker that relies on repeated impact, a drum cutter uses rotating drums fitted with cutting picks to progressively remove material.
YG excavator drum cutters are available for 5–24 ton excavators, with different models matched to excavator weight, hydraulic flow, torque, and project requirements. They are suitable for tunnel excavation, hard-rock trenching, concrete milling, road construction, foundation work, and other projects where controlled cutting and lower impact vibration are important.
Key benefits:
- Continuous rotary cutting for controlled material removal
- Lower impact vibration than conventional breakers
- Precise excavation and profiling
- Suitable for restricted-access construction sites
- Multiple models for different excavator sizes
- Hydraulic configurations matched to the carrier machine
Excavator Drum Cutter Types, Specifications & Model Selection
Types of Drum Cutter for Sale
There are two basic types of Milling head for the excavator:
Horizontal Excavator Milling Machine
Horizontal milling head with two horizontally mounted milling wheels. In practical applications, horizontal excavator milling machines are used more.
Vertical Drum Cutter – Milling machine
Vertical milling head with a vertically mounted milling wheel.
Need help choosing a configuration?
See our Milling Head for Excavator selection guide.
Milling Head for Excavator Parameters
| YG140 | 5–10 ton | 22 kW | 40 L/min | 3,200 N·m |
| YG160 | 10–15 ton | 45 kW | 100–110 L/min | 5,400 N·m |
| YG180 | 15–21 ton | 55 kW | 130–180 L/min | 5,600 N·m |
| YG240 | 20–24 ton | 65 kW | 200–250 L/min | 12,800 N·m |
How to Choose an Excavator Drum Cutter?
The correct model depends on more than excavator tonnage. Before ordering, check:
- Excavator operating weight
- Auxiliary hydraulic flow and pressure
- Required torque
- Material type and hardness
- Cutting width
- Working depth and access conditions
Excavator Compatibility
YG drum cutters can be configured for different excavator brands and models. Before selecting an attachment, we recommend confirming:
- Excavator brand and model
- Operating weight
- Auxiliary hydraulic flow
- Hydraulic pressure
- Mounting dimensions
- Required working width
- Material to be cut
- Project application
Send us these details, and our engineers can recommend a suitable excavator drum cutter configuration.
Key Benefits of an Excavator Drum Cutter
1. Continuous Rotary Cutting
An excavator drum cutter uses rotating cutting drums fitted with picks to continuously mill rock, concrete, hard soil, and other difficult materials.
Compared with impact-based excavation, continuous cutting provides better control over material removal and can be useful for:
- Rock trenching
- Tunnel excavation
- Concrete milling
- Surface profiling
2. Lower Impact Vibration
Because a drum cutter removes material through rotary cutting rather than repeated impact, it generally produces lower impact vibration than a hydraulic breaker.
This makes it suitable for work around existing structures, utilities, and other areas where vibration control is important.
3. Lower Noise for Vibration-Sensitive Projects
Drum cutters generally produce less impact noise than hydraulic breakers. This can be an advantage for projects in urban areas, near existing structures, or in other locations where noise and vibration need to be controlled.
4. Precise Material Removal
The operator can control the cutting path through the excavator boom and arm, allowing more controlled excavation and profiling.
Typical applications include:
- Road and slope construction
- Tunnel profiling
- Concrete trimming
- Hard-rock trenching
- Foundation excavation
Excavator Drum Cutter Applications
1.Tunnel Excavation
Controlled rock cutting and tunnel profiling where excavation accuracy and vibration control are important.
2.Hard-Rock Trenching
Suitable for trenching for pipelines, cables, drainage systems, and other underground utilities.
3.Road and Concrete Work
Used for controlled milling of concrete, asphalt, and other hard surfaces.
4.Foundation and Construction
Useful for selective excavation, foundation preparation, and material removal around existing structures.
5.Frozen Soil and Hard Ground
Can be used for cutting frozen soil and other difficult ground conditions when matched with the appropriate cutting configuration.
Excavator Drum Cutter vs Hydraulic Breaker
| Working method | Continuous rotary cutting | Percussive impact |
| Material removal | Controlled milling | Impact breaking |
| Vibration | Generally lower impact vibration | Generally higher impact vibration |
| Cutting control | High | Moderate |
| Typical applications | Profiling, trenching, tunnels, concrete milling | Rock breaking, demolition, general excavation |
For a detailed comparison, see our Drum Cutter vs Hydraulic Breaker guide.
FAQ about Excavator Drum Cutter
1.What is an excavator drum cutter?
An excavator drum cutter is a hydraulic attachment that uses rotating cutting drums to mill rock, concrete, hard soil, and other difficult materials.
2.What excavators can use a drum cutter?
YG currently offers models for approximately 5–24 ton excavators. Actual compatibility depends on excavator weight, hydraulic flow, pressure, mounting dimensions, and application.
3.What is the difference between a drum cutter and a hydraulic breaker?
A drum cutter uses continuous rotary cutting, while a hydraulic breaker uses repeated impact. Drum cutters are generally more suitable when controlled cutting and lower impact vibration are important.
4.How do I choose the right drum cutter?
Provide your excavator model, operating weight, hydraulic flow and pressure, material type, working depth, and application. These details allow us to recommend a suitable model.
5.How much does an excavator drum cutter cost?
The price depends on the drum cutter model, excavator compatibility, hydraulic configuration, mounting bracket, and project requirements. Contact YG for a model recommendation and quotation.
Why Choose YG Machinery?
YG Machinery is a professional supplier of excavator attachments with global experience.
What You Get:
✅ Stable quality with advanced manufacturing
✅ Multiple models for different excavators
✅ Fast delivery and export experience
✅ Technical support for installation and use
We focus on one thing: Helping you complete projects faster and more efficiently
Get an Excavator Drum Cutter Quote
Looking for a drum cutter for your excavator?
Send us your excavator model, operating weight, hydraulic flow and pressure, and project application. Our engineers can recommend a suitable model and provide technical specifications and a quotation.
