A wrecking ball is a heavy steel ball, usually hung from a crane, that is used for demolishing large buildings. It was most popular during the 1950s-60s. However, with the invention of hydraulic excavators and other 21st century machinery, the wrecking ball has become less familiar at demolition sites because the ball's working efficiency is smaller compared to that of excavators. Modern wrecking balls have also gotten a slight face-lift, with the metal sphere changed into a pear shape with a portion of the top cut off. This shape allows the ball to be pulled easily back though a roof or concrete slab after it has broken through. Wrecking balls range from about 1000 lb to around 12,000 lb. The most common are in the 3000 to 5000 lb range. Several wrecking companies claim to have invented the wrecking ball, however most credit the forerunner to Cleveland Wrecking Company, Minneapolis Wrecking and Lumber, with the invention.

The ball is made from forged steel, which means the steel is not cast into a mold in a molten state. It is formed under very high pressure while the steel is red hot (soft but not molten) to compress and to strengthen the steel.

In June of 2006, in Wyoming USA, on Interstate 70, a medium sized hydraulic excavator was seen raising and lowering a wrecking ball to demolish the concrete surface of the freeway. The freeway was being prepared for new pavement. Jackhammer attachments which are powered by the excavator's hydraulic pump are readily available. They are attached by removing the excavating bucket and replacing it with the hammer. However, some think that these attachments are destructive of the pivot pins on the excavator's booms. They are also very expensive to purchase and to maintain. The wrecking ball was suspended by a strong rubber cable, and was merely being raised and then dropped on the concrete. It appeared to be very affective, and was apparently satisfactory to the Wyoming highway engineers.

It should be noted that this was actual concrete, not blacktop which would not shatter as readily as concrete.

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