Jaw Crushers are frequently used as primary crushers in various plants, where their primary role is to crush material so it can be easily transported by belt conveyors to the next processing stage. They operate by compressing material between a moving steel plate and a stationary one.
One significant advantage of Jaw Crushers over other primary crushers lies in their wear components. Wear is generally confined to the jaw plates and side plates, which are often reversible, effectively doubling their lifespan.
To maximize the wear life of these components, it’s essential to follow proper feeding practices. Doing so not only extends the life of the components but also enhances the efficiency of the Jaw Crusher.
Here are some best practices for feeding Jaw Crushers to ensure optimal maintenance and operation:
- In-line Feeding
Jaw Crushers should be fed in alignment with a feeder or scalping screen. The discharge end of the feeding machine should align with the crusher’s feed opening (or gape). This alignment helps prevent clogging and ensures smoother operation. - Choke Feeding
For best results, the crushing chamber should be kept at least 80% full. Choke feeding ensures that material is drawn into the chamber efficiently, improving material shape and overall crusher performance. - Remove Oversized Material
Material larger than the crusher’s feed opening can cause blockages, reducing efficiency. Removing oversized pieces beforehand prevents clogging and maintains steady production. As a guideline, the maximum feed size should be no more than 80% of the crusher’s opening. - Pre-screen Fines
Fines in the feed can clog the crusher and hinder production. By pre-screening and removing fines, you not only improve particle size distribution but also extend the life of the wear components.
Vibrating Grizzly Feeders, Wobbler Feeders, and scalping screens are ideal for feeding Jaw Crushers. They can remove fines and ensure only appropriately sized material reaches the crusher.
- Provide a Well-Graded Feed
Blending feed material to ensure a well-graded mix is crucial. A consistent, well-graded feed promotes steady production and enhances inter-particle crushing, which helps break down flat or elongated material.
Ensure that the feed contains material larger than the crusher’s closed-side setting but no larger than 80% of the feed opening. Remove oversize, fines, and material at product size ahead of time.
- Avoid Lightweight or Sticky Material
While Jaw Crushers can handle various materials, including very hard and abrasive ones, they are not designed for lightweight or sticky substances. Such materials can reduce efficiency by sticking to the jaw plates or not being drawn into the crushing chamber effectively. - Limit Steel and Other Metals in the Feed
Although Jaw Crushers can handle some metal in the feed, it’s best to limit the amount. Metals like steel can cause damage if not managed correctly, particularly in the absence of an automatic tramp relief system. Removing as much metal as possible before feeding will reduce the risk of damage and unplanned downtime.
So, what and how you feed a Jaw Crusher significantly impacts its operational efficiency. Adhering to these best practices will ensure your Jaw Crusher runs at peak efficiency, reducing wear and tear while boosting productivity and profitability.
Here at Omnia Machinery, we offer a wide range of quality used quarry equipment such as Jaw Crushers, Cone Crushers, Impact Crushers, Conveyors, Screeners and Shredders. We offer machinery from leading manufacturers such as Sandvik, Kleemann and McCloskey. As with all of our heavy equipment, each machine is thoroughly inspected, tested and serviced before shipment, ensuring you’re supplied with only the best for your project. Browse our quarry machinery here.