A circulation sub is provided that has a ball seat and a circulation port that is closed when a ball is landed on the seat. An axial passage directs the pressure surge created with the landing of the ball on the seat to the port with the actuation piston for the tool. The surge in pressure operates the actuation piston to set the tool, which is preferably a packer. Raising the circulation rate through a constriction in a circulation sub breaks a shear device and allows the restriction to shift to cover a circulation port. The pressure surge that ensues continues through the restriction to the actuating piston for the tool to set the tool.