Crawler jaw crusher for Sale

What exactly is a crawler jaw crusher? What role does it play in mobile crushing?

A crawler jaw crusher is a jaw crusher (a machine that uses two jaw plates to crush materials by squeezing) mounted on a self-propelled crawler chassis, integrated with feeding, conveying, and power systems. In mobile crushing operations, it typically plays the role of a “frontrunner” or “vanguard,” undertaking primary crushing (coarse crushing) tasks, specializing in processing large raw stones blasted from mountains or large concrete blocks from demolition sites.

You can think of a crawler jaw crusher as a giant “vise grip” with its own “tank tracks.” Its core component is the jaw crusher, which crushes material entering the crushing cavity through the periodic movement of the movable jaw plate towards and away from the fixed jaw plate, subjecting the material to strong squeezing, splitting, and bending fractures. Due to its powerful crushing force and simple structure, it is highly suitable as primary crushing equipment, breaking down large raw materials into sizes acceptable for subsequent mobile cone crushers or mobile impact crushers.

Compared to tire-type or other mobile crushers, what are the advantages of the “crawler” in a crawler jaw crusher?

The biggest advantage of “crawlers” lies in their excellent site adaptability and mobility. A crawler jaw crusher can be driven directly to rugged excavation faces or operating points without needing a paved road, offering flexible relocation. This is crucial for mines, quarries, and construction waste disposal projects that require rapid deployment.

• Unhindered passage over harsh terrain: Crawlers provide a larger ground contact area and better traction, allowing the equipment to travel and operate stably on muddy, soft, rocky, or sloped ground. Tire-type mobile crushing plants have higher requirements for site flatness.

• Rapid positioning, reducing transportation costs: Crawler jaw crushers can be transported by flatbed trailer to a location near the worksite and then quickly move to the designated operating position under their own power, saving the trouble and cost of constructing a foundation.

• Movement with the excavation face: In large mines, crawler jaw crushers can move with the advancing excavation face, reducing the cost of transporting materials over long distances by excavators and trucks to a fixed crushing station.

• Compact operating space: Crawler designs are generally more compact than tire-type equipment of equivalent capacity, making them suitable for operation in sites with limited space.

Crawler Chassis: Not Just “Able to Move”, but “Move Steadily and for a Long Time”

• Tracks themselves are consumables: Track plates, track rollers, carrier rollers, drive sprockets, and idlers will wear out, especially on hard, abrasive ground or with improper operation (e.g., sharp turns, improper track tension). This maintenance cost needs to be factored in.
• Cleaning is crucial: If mud, gravel, and concrete slurry accumulate between chassis components, they act like abrasives, accelerating wear and even causing tracks to jam or derail. Regular high-pressure washing of the chassis is very necessary.
• High demands on operators: Skilled operators will avoid unnecessary idling and rough handling, thereby extending track life.

How to choose the feed opening size of a crawler jaw crusher?

How large a stone a crawler jaw crusher can “eat” primarily depends on the “feed opening size” of its jaw crusher host (usually expressed as width x length, e.g., 1000mm x 700mm). When selecting, ensure the maximum feed edge length does not exceed 80-85% of the feed opening width, otherwise, blockages or “bridging” can easily occur. Core keywords: crawler jaw crusher feed size, jaw crusher model selection
Different models of crawler jaw crushers have significantly varying host feed opening sizes, ranging from a few hundred millimeters to over a meter. For example, a Zoneding crawler jaw crusher model ZDE1070 might have a host feed opening of 1000mm x 700mm, meaning it can theoretically process stones close to 700mm wide (usually entering on the narrower side). However, in actual production, to ensure smooth feeding and avoid blockages, the maximum material size you feed should preferably be controlled within 80%-85% of the feed opening width (the shorter side). Also, consider the bucket size of your excavator or loader to ensure large materials can be smoothly fed into the feeder.

Feed Control: More Important Than Theoretical Nip Angle is the ‘Art of Feeding’

• The “optimal nip angle” is not a panacea: Jaw crushers have a theoretical “optimal nip angle” (around 19-23 degrees) to ensure material is effectively gripped and crushed. But if too many “large chunks” close to the maximum size are fed at once, it can momentarily push the movable jaw open, worsening the actual nipping effect, and even cause “bridging.”
• The excavator operator’s “feeding” skill is crucial: A skilled excavator operator will feed the jaw crusher in a controlled, layered manner, avoiding concentrated piling of large materials. They will observe the crushing chamber’s “swallowing” situation and adjust in real-time to ensure a continuous and non-overloaded material flow.
• Coordination with the vibrating feeder: The frequency and amplitude adjustment of the feeder (usually with pre-screening grizzly bars) is crucial for uniform feeding.

How small can it crush large stones? Can the discharge size be adjusted, and what impact does it have on subsequent equipment?

Crawler jaw crushers can typically crush large materials down to a range of tens of millimeters to two hundred millimeters. Its discharge size can be adjusted by changing the “Closed Side Setting” (CSS) at the bottom of the jaw plates. This discharge size directly determines the feed requirements and workload of secondary crushing equipment (such as cone crushers or impact crushers).
Detailed Explanation:
Adjusting the discharge opening is the primary way to control the output particle size of a crawler jaw crusher. A smaller discharge opening results in finer output, but production capacity will decrease accordingly, and jaw plate wear may accelerate. Common adjustment methods include hydraulic adjustment and shim adjustment, with hydraulic adjustment being more convenient and quicker.
For example, if you are subsequently using a mobile cone crusher that requires a maximum feed size of no more than 150mm, then your crawler jaw crusher’s discharge opening must be set to produce material smaller than 150mm. If the jaw crusher’s output is too coarse, it will place excessive pressure on the secondary equipment, potentially damaging it; if the output is too fine, it may mean the jaw crusher is undertaking too much of the crushing task, reducing the efficiency and economy of the entire production line.

Adjusting Discharge Opening (CSS)	Output Particle Size	Jaw Crusher Throughput	Jaw Plate Wear	Impact on Subsequent Equipment
Increase	Coarser	Higher	Relatively Slower	Subsequent equipment feed size is larger, load may increase
Decrease	Finer	Lower	Relatively Faster	Subsequent equipment feed size is smaller, load decreases, but may increase jaw crusher burden

Can crawler jaw crushers really handle hard rocks like granite, basalt, and iron ore?

Jaw crushers themselves are designed for crushing hard, highly abrasive materials, so crawler jaw crushers perform excellently in processing “hard rocks” like granite, basalt, iron ore, and river pebbles. The key is to select appropriate jaw plate materials and tooth profiles, and to perform correct operation and maintenance.

Crawler jaw crushers use the principle of compressive crushing, generating immense crushing force. For hard rock, their advantages include:

• Powerful crushing chamber design: Deep cavity crushing, where materials are subjected to multiple compressions within the chamber.
• High-strength wear-resistant materials: Key components like jaw plates and frames are made of high-manganese steel, alloy steel, and other special materials capable of withstanding the huge impacts and abrasion from hard rock.
• Optimized motion parameters: Reasonable eccentric throw and rotational speed design ensure effective crushing of hard materials.
  Of course, crushing hard rock will inevitably cause greater wear on the equipment, jaw plate life will be relatively shorter, and operating costs will be somewhat higher, but this is precisely the “primary job” of a jaw crusher.

Are the “teeth” of the crawler jaw crusher—the jaw plates—wear-resistant? How long does a set last? Is replacement troublesome?

Jaw plates are the main wear parts of a crawler jaw crusher. Their wear resistance depends on material hardness, abrasiveness, jaw plate material, tooth profile design, and proper operation. The service life of a set of jaw plates can range from tens to hundreds of hours. Replacing jaw plates takes some time (usually a few hours), but modern crawler jaw crusher designs have simplified the replacement process as much as possible.

• Factors affecting jaw plate life:
  • Material characteristics: Materials with high quartz content and hardness (like granite) wear out much faster than softer materials like limestone.
  • Jaw plate material: Common materials are high manganese steel (Mn13Cr2, Mn18Cr2, etc.). Special alloy steels or composite material jaw plates may be available for specific highly abrasive materials.
  • Tooth profile design : Different tooth profiles (flat, corrugated, with raised teeth, etc.) have different crushing effects and wear characteristics for different materials. Choosing the tooth profile and material that best matches your material is just as important as simply pursuing “the most wear-resistant.”
  • Uniformity of feeding : Uneven feeding can lead to accelerated localized wear on jaw plates.
  • Discharge opening size: The smaller the discharge opening, the faster the wear.
• Ease of replacement: Most modern crawler jaw crushers consider the convenience of jaw plate replacement, for example, by using hydraulic-assisted tensioning or wedge block fixing, but still require professional personnel and appropriate tools.

What is the actual output (tons per hour) of a crawler jaw crusher?

The actual output (tons/hour) of a crawler jaw crusher varies widely; small machines might produce tens of tons, while large ones can reach hundreds or even thousands of tons. However, the “actual output” is often much lower than the “theoretical maximum output” stated by the manufacturer. It is affected by multiple factors such as material characteristics (hardness, moisture, feed particle size distribution), discharge opening setting, feed uniformity, and equipment maintenance condition.

The output provided by manufacturers is usually the maximum value under ideal conditions (e.g., easily crushable material, optimal gradation, continuous and uniform feeding). You need to focus on what can be achieved under your actual working conditions.

• Key factors affecting actual output:
  • Material hardness and toughness: The harder and tougher the material, the lower the output.
  • Feed particle size and gradation : Feeding material that is too coarse or too fine, or unevenly graded, will affect output.
  • Discharge opening size (CSS): The smaller the CSS, the lower the output.
  • Feed continuity and uniformity: Intermittent or uneven feeding will significantly reduce output.
  • Material moisture and clay content: Excessively wet material or material with high clay content can easily clog the crushing chamber, affecting output.
  • Equipment maintenance: Worn jaw plates, loose belts, etc., will reduce efficiency.
    To get a realistic output expectation, it’s best to refer to user cases under similar working conditions or ask the supplier for an output estimate specific to your material.

How to efficiently integrate a crawler jaw crusher into an entire mobile crushing and screening production line?

To efficiently integrate a crawler jaw crusher into a production line, the key is “matching” and “synergy.” As the primary crusher, its output and discharge particle size must match the capacity of subsequent secondary crushing equipment (like a mobile cone crusher) and screening equipment. At the same time, ensure smooth material transfer and consider the overall line’s automation control and interlock protection.
A typical crawler-type mobile crushing and screening production line usually includes:

1. Tracked Jaw Crusher: Responsible for coarse crushing.
2. (Optional) Tracked Impact Crusher or Tracked Cone Crusher: Responsible for secondary or tertiary medium-fine crushing.
3. Tracked Mobile Screening Plant: Responsible for classifying the crushed material by particle size.
   Key points for efficient synergy:

• Capacity matching: The processing capacity (tons/hour) of preceding and succeeding equipment must match to avoid “a small horse pulling a large cart” or “a large horse pulling a small cart.”
• Particle size matching: The output particle size of the crawler jaw crusher should be the ideal feed particle size for the subsequent crushing equipment.
• Buffer hoppers: Setting up appropriate buffer hoppers between equipment can balance flow fluctuations and improve the operational stability of the entire line.
• Interlock control: Implement interlock start/stop and fault alarms between equipment to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Material conveying: The width, angle, and speed of conveyor belts must be reasonably designed to avoid spillage and blockages.

When purchasing a crawler jaw crusher, besides price, what other key parameters and configurations must be considered?

Purchasing a crawler jaw crusher involves much more than just looking at the price. You must pay attention to: host performance (feed opening, discharge opening range, eccentric shaft design, flywheel inertia), drive system (engine/motor brand and power, direct drive or belt drive), hydraulic system reliability , frame structural strength , jaw plate material and design, feeder performance (are grizzly bar gaps adjustable?), crawler chassis quality , automation control level, and after-sales service and spare parts supply.

Key Consideration Point	Specific Content to Focus On	Practical Significance for You
Crusher Host Performance	Feed opening size, discharge opening adjustment range and method, eccentric shaft stroke and speed, flywheel design, crushing chamber type (deep cavity? optimized cavity?)	Directly determines processing capacity, product particle size, crushing efficiency, and adaptability to different materials
Drive System	Engine/motor brand, power, fuel/electricity consumption rate, direct drive or V-belt drive	Affects power, fuel/electricity costs, transmission efficiency, and maintenance complexity
Hydraulic System	Brand of oil pump/motor/valves, oil tank volume, cooling capacity, filtration system, sensitivity and reliability of hydraulic adjustment for discharge opening and overload protection	The stability and response speed of the system directly affect adjustment convenience, overload protection effectiveness, and failure rate
Frame & Structure	Material and welding process of main frame and crawler chassis (stress relieved?), reinforcement design for key parts, overall machine weight and center of gravity stability	Determines the equipment’s sturdiness, durability, fatigue resistance, and long-term operational reliability, avoiding major failures like early cracking
Jaw Plates & Toggle Plate	Jaw plate material (high manganese steel grade?), tooth profile design, fixing method, toggle plate material and design	Affects wear life, crushing efficiency, ease of replacement, and protection of the main unit
Feeding & Conveying	Vibrating feeder size, grizzly bars (optional), main conveyor belt width and drive method, presence of pre-screening function	Affects feeding smoothness, pre-processing capability, overall machine throughput, and operational convenience
Crawler Travel System	Track brand, travel motor power, gradeability, travel speed, track tensioning method, chassis ground clearance	Determines the equipment’s mobility, site adaptability, relocation efficiency, and maintenance costs of the track components
Automation & Control	PLC control system, remote control operation, fault diagnosis, oil temperature/pressure/load monitoring and alarms	Improves operational convenience, safety, monitors equipment status, and aids maintenance decisions
Environmental Performance	Noise reduction measures, dust suppression system (sprays, etc.), engine emission standards	Meets environmental requirements, improves the working environment
After-sales & Spare Parts	Manufacturer’s technical support capability, service network coverage, timeliness and price of spare parts supply	Ensures quick resolution of equipment failures, reducing downtime losses

FAQ

Q1. What exactly is a mobile crushing station used for? How is it better than a stationary production line?
A1: The biggest advantage of a mobile crushing station is its flexibility and convenience. It doesn’t require foundation work and can be quickly relocated or moved closer to the working face. For you, this means significant savings in civil engineering costs and time, enabling faster production startup. It also reduces the internal material transport distance on site, lowering transportation costs and dust. It’s particularly suitable for projects with tight schedules, scattered sites, or those requiring phased progression.

Q2. Crawler-type vs. tire-type mobile crushing station, which is more suitable for me?
A2: It mainly depends on your mobility needs and site conditions. Crawler-type is like a tank, suitable for moving within mines or rugged construction sites, offering flexible relocation but troublesome for long-distance transport; tire-type is like a trailer, suitable for projects with better road conditions that require frequent long-distance transfers across regions. Simply put, choose crawler for on-site flexibility, choose tire for long-distance transfers.

Q3. Mobile crushing stations have several main machine types (jaw crusher/impact crusher/cone crusher). How should I choose?
A3: Choose based on your material and output requirements. Mobile jaw crushers are suitable for primary crushing, handling large, hard materials; mobile impact crushers are suitable for processing medium-soft materials (like limestone, construction waste) and produce good particle shapes; mobile cone crushers are suitable for medium-fine crushing of hard rocks (like granite, river pebbles). Not sure? Tell us your raw materials and finished product needs, and we’ll help you configure the setup.

Q4. What capacity mobile crushing station do I need? How can I estimate reliably?
A4: The capacity stated by manufacturers is usually the “maximum capacity” under ideal conditions; actual output will be lower. You need to consider: What material needs processing (hardness)? What’s the feed size? How much soil/clay content? How fine does the output need to be? Provide this information to the supplier, and let them use their experience to help you choose a model with sufficient margin. Don’t just rely on paper figures.

Q5: Is maintaining a mobile crushing station troublesome? Is the fuel/power consumption high?
A5: Routine maintenance (lubrication, tightening, cleaning) isn’t complex, but hydraulic and electrical systems require some professional knowledge. Mobile stations have compact structures, so maintenance in some areas might be less convenient than stationary plants. Fuel/power consumption is a major operating cost, highly related to equipment power, load, and power system (diesel/electric/hybrid). Choosing a diesel-electric hybrid might save more money in the long run.

Q6: What if one mobile crushing station isn’t enough? Can they be combined into a production line?

A6:Absolutely! Mobile crushing stations are very suitable for combined use, forming a complete mobile crushing and screening production line. For example, use a mobile jaw crusher for primary coarse crushing, followed by a mobile impact crusher or mobile cone crusher for medium-fine crushing, and then add a mobile screening plant for sizing. This combination can meet complex production needs with extreme flexibility.

Q7: When selecting a mobile crushing station, what key points should I focus on besides price?
A7: Price is important, but definitely not the only criterion! Pay more attention to: 1. Quality of core components (main crusher, engine/motor, hydraulic system); 2. Match between actual output and working conditions; 3. Durability of structural parts (chassis, frame); 4. Cost-effectiveness and supply of wear parts; 5. Ease and safety of operation and maintenance; 6. Manufacturer’s after-sales service and technical support capabilities.