How to Choose the Right Jaw Crusher for Your Project
Choosing the right jaw crusher is the most important decision in any crushing plant. Get it wrong and every downstream stage suffers.
Start with the material
The first question is always: what are you crushing? Hard rocks such as granite and basalt need a robust primary jaw crusher with a deep cavity and heavy flywheel. Soft or medium rocks such as limestone can use a lighter design.
Check the compressive strength of your material. Standard jaw crushers handle materials up to 320 MPa.
Define your feed size
Measure the largest rocks that enter the crusher. The feed opening of the jaw crusher must be 10-20% larger than the maximum feed size, otherwise blockages are inevitable.
For example, if your material is up to 600 mm, choose a crusher with a feed opening of at least 650-750 mm.
Calculate the capacity you need
Capacity is measured in tons per hour (t/h). Consider:
- The required plant output
- The closed side setting (CSS)
- The bulk density of the material
A rule of thumb: choose a crusher with 10-15% more capacity than your target to handle surges.
Match the discharge setting
The closed side setting controls the product size. A smaller CSS gives finer product but reduces capacity. Balance these two according to your downstream requirements.
Plan for maintenance
Look for crushers with replaceable manganese jaw plates, simple bearing access and a proven track record in your market. Reliable spare parts supply is worth more than a small price saving.
Get expert advice
Send your material type, feed size, capacity and final product requirements to our engineers. We will recommend the right model and complete plant layout within 24 hours - free of charge.