If you work in construction, demolition, or recycling, you’ve likely heard the term “jaw crusher” mentioned on site.
But what exactly is a jaw crusher, and why has it become such an essential piece of equipment across these industries?
In this guide, we’ll cover:
· How jaw crushers work
· Key advantages of jaw crushers
· Typical applications for jaw crushers
What is a jaw crusher?
A jaw crusher is a machine designed to reduce large concrete and other hard materials into smaller pieces through compressive force. It’s one of the most common types of primary crushers used in the mining industry, quarrying, demolition, and recycling operations.
The jaw crusher gets its name from its two vertical jaws – one fixed and one moving – which mimic the opening and closing motion of a jaw. Feed material enters through the top of the crushing chamber and is progressively broken down.
How does a jaw crusher work?
The crushing process involves several key components working together:
The fixed jaw and moving jaw
Every jaw crusher has two jaw plates – the fixed jaw plate stays stationary, whilst the movable jaw plate (swing jaw) moves back and forth to crush material between them.
The eccentric shaft
This shaft drives the movable jaw, creating a reciprocating movement. As it rotates, the swing jaw
moves towards and away from the fixed jaw in a crushing motion.
The crushing chamber
Large materials enter through the feed opening at the top. As material moves downward through the
crushing chamber, it’s repeatedly compressed between the jaw plates until it reaches the desired size and falls through the discharge opening.
The toggle plate
This component transmits force from the eccentric shaft to the movable jaw. It also acts as a safety mechanism – if an uncrushable object enters the crusher, the toggle plate is a sacrificial part and it’s job is to protect more expensive components from damage.
Types of jaw crushers
There are different types of jaw crushers, but the most common type found in modern operations is the single toggle jaw crusher. This design uses one toggle plate and offers a simple, reliable crushing action suitable for various materials.
The single toggle jaw crusher delivers high performance whilst maintaining lower operating costs
compared to more complex designs. Its straightforward construction also means easy maintenance, reducing downtime and keeping your projects on schedule.
Key advantages of jaw crushers
Versatility across materials
Jaw crushers handle various materials effectively, from hard rock to concrete and brick. Whether
you’re processing feed material from demolition sites or crushing stone in quarrying operations, jaw crushers deliver consistent results.
Primary crushing efficiency
As a primary crusher, the jaw crusher excels at the first stage of material reduction. It accepts large
rocks and reduces them to smaller pieces that can either be used directly or sent for further processing through secondary equipment like a cone crusher or for tertiary crushing.
Adjustable output size
Most modern jaw crushers feature adjustable crusher settings, allowing operators to control the output size of crushed material. By adjusting the closed side setting – the smallest gap between the jaws at the bottom of the crushing chamber – you can produce material to meet specific needs for different applications.
What materials can jaw crushers process?
Jaw crushers handle various materials including concrete, brick, stone, asphalt, and other
demolition waste. They’re particularly effective for hard rock applications and materials that require significant compressive force to break down.
Typical applications for jaw crushers
Construction and demolition
On demolition sites, jaw crushers process concrete, brick, and other building materials, transforming
waste into reusable aggregate. This eliminates expensive skip hire costs and reduces the need for bought-in hardcore.
Quarrying operations
In quarries, jaw crushers serve as the primary crusher for processing various materials from the feed size of large extracted rocks down to manageable material size for further processing.
Recycling yards
Recycling operations rely on jaw crushers to process mixed demolition waste, turning it into a valuable crushed product that can be sold or reused on site.
Skip hire companies
Forward-thinking skip hire businesses use jaw crushers to add value to collected waste, converting
disposal costs into revenue streams by producing saleable aggregate.
Understanding feed size and capacity
The size of a jaw crusher is typically expressed by the dimensions of its feed opening. For example, Red Rhino’s RR 8000 features an 800mm x 500mm opening, making it suitable for hard rock applications and large materials that smaller crushers can’t handle.
Different models offer varying processing capacities. Compact crushers might handle 6-8 tonnes per hour, whilst heavy duty models like the RR 8000 can process up to 100 tonnes per hour – perfect for high-volume operations.
Red Rhino’s range of jaw crushers
Red Rhino manufactures British-designed jaw crushers at our Grantham, Lincolnshire facility.
We offer jaw crushers to suit operations of all sizes. Our compact RR 4000 features a 400mm x 170mm jaw and can process up to 6-8 tonnes per hour. This model is compact enough to fit through a standard doorway, making it perfect for landscaping and small demolition projects.
The RR 5000+ steps up to a 500mm x 250mm jaw with output sizes from 20mm to 100mm, whilst the hydraulically driven vibrating feeder improves material flow.
For larger operations, the RR 7000 features a 700mm x 400mm jaw with vibratory tray, and our flagship RR 8000 boasts an 800mm x 500mm jaw capable of processing up to 100 tonnes per hour – ideal for quarrying and large-scale demolition.
Every Red Rhino crusher is built for durability with accessible components for straightforward
maintenance. We provide comprehensive after-sales support, and are always on-hand to answer any questions you may have.
What determines the output size of crushed material?
The closed side setting – the gap between jaws at the bottom of the crushing chamber – controls output size. Our Red Rhino jaw crushers feature hydraulic adjustment allowing you to change this setting quickly to produce different material sizes.
Get expert advice on jaw crushers: contact Red Rhino today
Whether you’re processing demolition waste, operating a quarry, or running a recycling yard, we
manufacture reliable, British-built jaw crushers that deliver consistent performance and long-term value.
Contact Red Rhino today for a free, no-obligation quote. Our knowledgeable team is here to answer your questions and help you find the right solution. Complete our online contact form, call us on +44 (0) 1476 590790, or email info@redrhinocrushers.net .
