What is a Tracked Jaw Crusher ?

A track-mounted jaw crusher is a primary crushing machine on a tracked chassis. It solves problems of crushing large, hard materials directly at the source, like quarries or demolition sites, eliminating costly hauling.

This machine combines raw crushing power with go-anywhere mobility. 

What Situations Best Suit a Track-Mounted Jaw Crusher?

Track-mounted jaw crushers are ideal for quarries, mining operations (especially opening new areas), large-scale construction demolition sites, and road building projects where mobility and handling large feed are crucial.

Application fields of crawler jaw crusher

• Quarries & Mines: Perfect for primary crushing directly at the face. They handle hard rock like granite and basalt. Their mobility allows them to follow the extraction point, minimizing haulage of large, unprocessed material.
• Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Recycling: Excellent for crushing concrete rubble, bricks, and asphalt on-site. This turns waste into reusable aggregate, saving landfill space and transport costs. Watch out for steel rebar, though!
• Contract Crushing: Contractors love them for their ability to quickly move between different job sites and handle diverse materials.
• Road Construction & Infrastructure: Can crush rock for base material directly along the construction path. Their ability to handle varied feed makes them versatile.

Main advantages of crawler jaw crusher

• Mobility: Tracks allow movement over uneven or difficult terrain within the site, inaccessible to wheeled units.
• Reduced Haulage: Crushing at the source dramatically cuts the need for trucks to haul oversized material.
• Flexibility: Easy to reposition as the job progresses or move to new sites altogether.
• Rapid Setup: Much faster deployment compared to building stationary crushing plants.

How to Select the Right Jaw Crusher Model for Your Material?

Different materials crush differently. Using a standard model for very hard rock or sticky material leads to problems. Matching the crusher to the material is key for performance.

Select the model based on the material’s maximum feed size, hardness (compressive strength), abrasiveness, moisture content, and presence of clay or contaminants like steel rebar.

Let’s break down how material properties influence your choice.

Key Material Properties

• Maximum Feed Size: As discussed, this dictates the required feed opening (gape and width). Ensure the crusher can accept the largest lumps you expect.
• Hardness & Compressive Strength: Harder materials require more robust construction and higher power. Very hard rock might necessitate choosing a slightly larger model than softer rock for the same tonnage, to handle the stresses.
• Abrasiveness: Highly abrasive materials (like high-silica granite) wear down jaw plates faster. Consider models with robust, high-quality manganese steel jaw plates (e.g., Mn18, Mn22) and designs that allow for easy plate replacement. Discuss jaw plate material selection with your supplier; the specific manganese content matters.
• Moisture & Clay Content: Wet, sticky materials or those with high clay content can cause packing and blockages, especially in the crushing chamber and potentially clogging pre-screen grizzly bars. Look for features like steeper chamber angles or specialized grizzly designs if handling such materials. Sometimes, skipping the integrated pre-screen is better.
• Contaminants: Construction debris often contains steel rebar. This requires a powerful crusher and, critically, an effective magnetic separator on the discharge conveyor. Some jaw plate tooth profiles handle rebar better than others.

Matching Model to Material

Please provide us with details of your feed material. This will allow us to recommend the most suitable model and configuration, including the right jaw material and profile, to ensure optimal performance and service life.

What Key Points Extend the Life of a Tracked Jaw Crusher?

Regular lubrication, consistent feed control, routine inspection of wear parts (especially jaw plates and toggle seats), keeping the machine clean, and addressing minor issues promptly are crucial for longevity.

Critical Maintenance Areas

• Lubrication: Follow the manufacturer’s schedule diligently for all grease points (bearings, toggle seat). Use the correct type and grade of lubricant. Proper lubrication prevents catastrophic bearing failures.
• Jaw Plates: Regularly inspect for wear. Rotate or flip plates if possible to maximize life. Crucially, check jaw plate mounting bolts frequently and re-torque as needed, especially after installing new plates or during the first 50-100 hours. Vibration can loosen bolts, leading to damage or failure.
• Toggle Plate & Seat: Keep this area clean. Check for wear or damage. It’s critical for proper crushing action and protecting the main frame.
• Feed Control: Avoid dropping massive rocks directly onto the crusher. Don’t overfeed or starve the machine. Consistent, controlled feed minimizes shock loads and uneven wear. Train your excavator operators well!
• Cleaning: Keep the crusher, especially around the engine, hydraulics, and discharge areas, reasonably clean. Build-up can cause overheating or hide potential problems like leaks.
• Hydraulics & Engine: Regularly check fluid levels (hydraulic oil, engine oil, coolant). Inspect hoses for leaks or wear. Keep radiators clean. Monitor engine performance and address issues promptly to manage fuel consumption, a major operating cost. Avoid excessive idling.
• Track System: Keep tracks tensioned correctly. Clean out debris regularly. Inspect for wear on rollers, idlers, and sprockets.
• Vibration Checks: The intense vibration affects everything. Regularly inspect structural bolts, guards, electrical connections, and hydraulic fittings for tightness. Address leaks or loose connections immediately.

Operational Best Practices

• Warm-up/Cool-down: Allow the engine to warm up before operating under full load and cool down before shutting off.
• Listen & Observe: Experienced operators can often detect problems early by listening for unusual noises or observing changes in performance.
• Daily Checks: Perform quick walk-around inspections at the start of each shift.

Investing time in these routine checks and practices prevents major failures and significantly extends the crusher’s working life.

Customer Cases