Jaw Crusher vs Cone Crusher: What Is the Difference?

Jaw crushers and cone crushers are the two most common crushers in mining and aggregate plants. They do different jobs.

Primary vs secondary

A jaw crusher is a primary crusher. It takes large rocks - up to 1.2 m - and reduces them to 100-250 mm. A cone crusher is usually a secondary or tertiary crusher. It takes the output of the jaw crusher and reduces it to 10-50 mm.

Crushing principle

The jaw crusher crushes by compression between a fixed and a moving jaw plate. It is simple, reliable and cheap to run.

The cone crusher crushes by squeezing material between a moving mantle and a concave bowl. It delivers a more uniform, cubical product.

When to use each

• Use a jaw crusher when you need to break very large rocks, or when your plant starts from blasted quarry material.
• Use a cone crusher when you need fine, well-shaped aggregate, high capacity and low operating cost per ton.
• Most complete plants use both: a jaw crusher first, then a cone crusher.

Cost comparison

Jaw crushers have lower purchase cost and simpler maintenance. Cone crushers have a higher purchase cost but lower cost per ton on hard rock, thanks to higher efficiency and better wear life.

Summary

If you are building a complete crushing plant for aggregate or mining, the standard configuration is jaw crusher + cone crusher + screens. Send us your project details and we will design the most economical flow for your material.