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Pros and Cons of Jaw Crushers Compared to Other Crushers

Pros and Cons of Jaw Crushers Compared to Other Crushers

Jan 06, 2026

 

You will see that jaw crusher is a top choice for crushing in factories. Many people like jaw crushers because they are tough and can crush hard rocks like granite. If you check how they work, jaw crushers crush things well and can be used in many ways. Here are some good and bad points:

  • Crushes things very well

  • Can change size easily

  • Works in many situations

  • Has a simple build

But there are also some problems:

  • Wears out faster with hard rocks

  • Needs fixing often

  • Is bigger and costs more than other crushers

 

Advantages

Disadvantages

Saves money

Needs lots of fixing

Crushes well

Wears out with hard stuff

Can do many jobs

Makes loud sounds

 

You will find out how primary jaw crusher for granite quarry works, how much it costs, how often it needs fixing, how many things it can do, what materials it can crush, and how it compares to other crushers.

 

Jaw Crusher Pros and Cons Overview

Quick Comparison Table

This table helps you see the main good and bad points of jaw crushers. It shows how jaw crushers compare to other crushers. You can look at things like how much they crush, cost, fixing, and what materials they handle.

Feature

Jaw Crusher

Cone Crusher

Impact Crusher

Throughput Capacity (TPH)

50-1,500

20-1,200

10-800

Reduction Ratio

Good for primary crushing

Better for secondary crushing

High for soft materials

Maintenance Cost

Lower due to simple design

Can save more over time

Higher due to more parts

Operational Lifespan

5-15 years (depends on use)

Varies by design and use

Varies by design and use

Material Suitability

Hard materials (granite, basalt)

Medium-hard to hard materials

Softer materials (limestone, sandstone)

Size Uniformity

More jagged sizes

More uniform sizes

Most uniform sizes

Energy Consumption

Moderate to high

Moderate

High

Application Suitability

Best for primary crushing

Good for secondary/tertiary

Good for shaping and fine crushing

 

Key Differences Summary

When you look at high capacity jaw crushers for primary crushing and other crushers, you will see some big differences. Here are the main things you should know:

  • Performance Metrics
    You can check how crushers work by looking at how much they crush, how small they make rocks, how often they work, how fast parts wear out, and how much energy they use. Jaw crushers can crush 50 to 1,500 tons every hour. This is more than impact crushers and almost as much as cone crushers. Jaw crushers are good for breaking big, hard rocks.

  • Cost and Maintenance
    You do not need to spend a lot to fix a jaw crusher because it is simple. The parts are easy to change. Cone crushers can also save money after some time, but jaw crushers are usually cheaper to fix. Impact crushers need more repairs because they have more moving parts.

  • Lifespan
    A jaw crusher can last from 5 to 15 years. How long it lasts depends on what you crush and how you take care of it. Other crushers, like cone crushers, can last a long time too, but it depends on how they are made and used.

  • Material Handling
    Jaw crushers work best with hard rocks like granite and basalt. They use two jaws to crush rocks. Impact crushers use hammers and are better for softer rocks like limestone. Jaw crushers make rougher pieces, but impact crushers make smoother pieces.

  • Versatility and Application
    You can use jaw crushers for many jobs, especially when you need to crush big, hard rocks. They are best for primary crushing. Cone crushers and impact crushers are better for making smaller, even pieces or for softer rocks.

Tip: If you need to crush hard rocks and want a machine that is easy to fix, a jaw crusher is a good pick. If you want smoother pieces or work with softer rocks, you should look at other crushers.

You should always think about the good and bad points before you choose a crusher. Jaw crushers can crush a lot and are strong, but they may not give you the smoothest pieces or use the least energy. Think about what you need to crush, how much money you have, and what kind of pieces you want before you decide.

 

Jaw Crusher Advantages

Efficiency and Reliability

Hydraulic heavy duty jaw crushers work well and do not break often. If you check them and add oil, they run smoothly. They can make a lot of crushed rock fast. Sometimes, they work faster than other crushers. Jaw crushers have a simple design. This means fewer parts can break. Many people use jaw crushers because they are dependable.

Feature

Jaw Crushers

Other Crushers

Material Handling

Great for hard, abrasive rocks and large concrete

May struggle with large or wet materials

Maintenance Needs

Lower wear-part costs, easy to maintain

More complex maintenance, higher wear-part costs

Efficiency

High production with proper care

Varies by design and use

 

Lower Maintenance and Cost

You do not need much time or money to fix jaw crushers. The design is simple, so you can change parts fast. You do not need special tools or training. This helps you save money and keep working. Mobile jaw crushers are easy to reach for repairs. This helps your work keep going.

Tip: Check your jaw crusher often. This helps you stop big problems and keeps it working longer.

 

Versatility for Materials

Jaw crushers can crush many things. They break hard rocks, concrete, and softer things like brick, limestone, and asphalt. You can use jaw crushers in many places, like mines or recycling centers. Mobile jaw crushers are easy to move. You can take them to new jobs without buying new machines.

  • Jaw crushers work well with:

    • Hard, abrasive rocks

    • Large concrete pieces

    • Wet or sticky materials

    • Softer materials like brick, limestone, and asphalt

 

High Capacity and Toughness

Jaw crushers are strong and work hard. They can crush up to 1,500 tons each hour. Gyratory crushers can sometimes crush more, but jaw crushers still do a lot. You can trust jaw crushers to crush tough things. They do not break easily. This is why many people pick jaw crushers for their work.

 

Jaw Crusher Disadvantages

Limited Throughput

You may notice that jaw crushers have limits on how much material they can process each hour. The size of the machine decides how much you can crush. If you use a small jaw crusher, you can expect to process between 50 and 200 tons per hour. Medium machines handle 200 to 500 tons, while large ones can reach up to 1,500 tons per hour.

Size Category

Capacity (tph)

Small Jaw Crushers

50 to 200

Medium Jaw Crushers

200 to 500

Large Jaw Crushers

500 to 1,500

 

If you need to crush more than this, you may need to use a different type of crusher or add more machines. This can make your setup more complex.

 

Feed Restrictions

You must pay attention to the size of the rocks you feed into jaw crushers. These machines work best when the largest rock is not bigger than 80% of the opening size. For example, if your crusher has a 30-inch opening, you should keep the biggest rock at 24 inches or less. You also need to make sure the rocks are not smaller than the closed-side setting. If you do not follow these rules, you can damage the machine or slow down your work.

  • The maximum feed size should be 80% of the crusher opening.

  • For a 30" opening, keep the top feed size at 24".

  • Feed material should be larger than the closed-side setting but not more than 80% of the opening.

 

Wear and Tear

You will see that jaw crushers use compression to break rocks. This means the moving parts press against hard materials again and again. Over time, the jaws and other parts wear down. You need to replace these parts to keep the machine working well. Jaw crushers usually need less maintenance than impact crushers, but you still must check them often. If you crush very hard or abrasive rocks, you may need to replace parts more often.

Note: Compression crushers like jaw and cone crushers need less maintenance than impact crushers, but cone crushers often have longer-lasting wear parts.

 

Energy Use

You should know that jaw crushers use a fair amount of energy. On average, they use between 0.8 and 1.5 kilowatt-hours for each ton of material. This is more than roll crushers but less than cone crushers. If you want to save energy, you may want to look at other options.

Crusher Type

Energy Consumption (kWh/ton)

Jaw Crusher

0.8-1.5

Cone Crusher

1.2-2.0

Impact Crusher

1.0-1.8

Roll Crusher

0.5-1.0

 

You should always think about these disadvantages when you choose a crusher for your project.

 

Jaw Crushers vs. Other Crushers

 

Gyratory Crushers Comparison

You might wonder how jaw crushers and gyratory crushers are different. Both are used first in mining and quarry jobs. A gyratory crusher has a cone-shaped head that moves inside a bowl. This lets it crush rocks all the time. Jaw crushers use two plates to squeeze and break rocks. One plate stays still, and the other moves.

Feature

Gyratory Crusher

Jaw Crusher

Design

Conical head that gyrates within a stationary bowl, allowing continuous crushing.

Two jaw plates (movable and fixed) compress materials to crush them.

Working Principle

Gyrating motion of the conical head crushes material against the bowl.

Movable jaw moves towards fixed jaw to create compressive force.

Capacity

High-capacity operations, handles larger feed sizes efficiently.

Lower capacity, suitable for smaller operations or less abrasive materials.

Maintenance Costs

More complex and costly maintenance due to design; requires regular inspections.

Lower maintenance requirements and costs; simpler design allows easier access.

Energy Efficiency

Less energy-efficient due to continuous action; larger motor needed.

More energy-efficient, especially for smaller operations.

 

Gyratory crushers can handle bigger rocks and more material. They work well in large mines where you need to crush lots of rocks fast. Jaw crushers are better for smaller jobs or softer rocks. Jaw crushers are easier to fix because they have fewer parts. You can repair and adjust them quickly. Gyratory crushers have more parts and need more time and money to fix. Changing mantles or concaves takes longer.

  • Jaw crushers have fewer parts, so fixing is faster.

  • You can change toggle plates and liners easily in jaw crushers.

  • Gyratory crushers need more time for repairs.

Tip: Pick a gyratory crusher for big jobs that need lots of crushing. Choose a jaw crusher if you want easy fixes and lower costs.

 

Impact Crushers Comparison

You might see impact crushers in recycling centers or when shaping rocks. These machines break rocks using impact force. Jaw crushers use squeezing force. Jaw crushers are best for hard, rough rocks. Impact crushers work better with softer rocks like limestone.

Feature

Jaw Crusher

Impact Crusher

Crushing Method

Compression

Impact force

Material Type

Harder, abrasive materials

Softer materials

Output Material Size

Larger, less predictable chunks

Finer, more consistent sizes

Efficiency and Speed

Slower, high-capacity applications

Faster, suitable for smaller sizes

 

Jaw crushers are good for tough jobs like breaking granite. Impact crushers work faster and make smaller, even pieces. If you need smooth, cubed rocks for roads, pick an impact crusher. Jaw crushers make bigger, rougher pieces. Jaw crushers run slower, so they are better for heavy work. Impact crushers are best for quick jobs.

  • Jaw crushers are best for hard rocks.

  • Impact crushers work better with soft rocks.

  • Jaw crushers make uneven sizes.

  • Impact crushers give you even, small pieces.

Note: For hard rocks and strong machines, pick jaw crushers. For smooth, cubed pieces from soft rocks, use impact crushers.

 

Cone Crushers Comparison

Cone crushers are used after the first crushing step. They use a spinning cone inside a bowl to crush rocks. Jaw crushers are used first and crush bigger rocks. Cone crushers make smaller, even pieces.

Crusher Type

Advantages

Disadvantages

Jaw Crusher

Simple, reliable design that’s easy to maintain.

Limited to coarser output, not ideal for fine crushing.

 

Cost-effective with lower upfront and operational costs.

Lower throughput compared to cone crushers.

 

Excels at handling large, tough materials.

May produce more dust and noise during operation.

Cone Crusher

Delivers finer, more uniform aggregates.

Complex design increases maintenance requirements.

 

Higher throughput and efficiency for secondary crushing.

Higher initial and operational costs.

 

Suitable for continuous, high-volume operations.

Not designed for primary crushing of large materials.

 

Cone crushers make rocks more even and smooth. Jaw crushers make rougher pieces and may need extra machines to shape them. Cone crushers are good when you want fine, even rocks. Jaw crushers are best for breaking big, tough rocks first.

Crusher Type

Product Size Consistency

Grain Shape Quality

Jaw Crusher

Less consistent

Requires shaping equipment

Cone Crusher

More consistent

Better grain shape due to lamination principle

  • Jaw crushers cost less to buy and run.

  • Cone crushers make better quality rocks and crush more.

  • Jaw crushers are easier to fix.

  • Cone crushers need more care and cost more to use.

Tip: Use jaw crushers first for big, tough rocks. Use cone crushers when you want small, even rocks and better results.

Pick your crusher by thinking about your rock type, the size you want, and how much fixing you can do. Jaw crushers, gyratory crushers, impact crushers, and cone crushers all have good and bad points. Match your choice to what your project needs.

 

Key Factors in Choosing Crushers

Cost and Maintenance

You should think about more than just the price. The total cost means what you pay now and later. You need to check a few things:

  1. How much it costs to buy

  2. How often you need to fix it

  3. How much energy it uses

  4. How often you change parts

  5. How well it works

  6. New technology features

  7. How many people want it

  8. Prices in different places

A jaw crusher might cost more at first. But it can save you money over time. You spend less on fixing and parts because it is simple. If you choose strong materials, it will break less and work better. Always see if you can get spare parts easily. Also, check if it uses energy in a good way.

Crusher Type

Size and Capacity (TPH)

Purchase Price Implications

Heavy-duty Jaw Crushers

500 to 1500

Costs more because it is strong and needs more power

Aggregate Production Jaw Crushers

250 to 1000

Costs a medium amount and can change sizes

Compact Jaw Crushers

50 to 300

Costs less because it is small and handles less

 

Tip: Think about saving money later, not just now.

 

Capacity and Throughput

You need to know how much you want to crush each hour. Capacity means how much the crusher can handle. Throughput means how much finished stuff you get. If your crusher is too small, your work will be slow. If it is too big, you might waste money.

  • Small jaw crushers: 50 to 200 tons per hour

  • Medium jaw crushers: 200 to 500 tons per hour

  • Large jaw crushers: 500 to 1,500 tons per hour

Check your job size and pick the right machine. Plan for more work if you think you will need it later.

 

Material Suitability

You must pick the crusher for the material you want to crush. Hard rocks like granite need strong machines. Softer things like limestone need less power. The jaw plate material is important too.

Material Type

Recommended Jaw Plate Material

Application Description

Hard and Abrasive Materials

High manganese steel or alloy cast steel

Best for granite and quartz, lasts longer

Soft Aggregates and Concrete

Medium manganese steel

Good for asphalt and concrete, gets harder as you use it

General Use

Stainless steel, tungsten carbide, others

Pick by how hard and rough your material is

 

If you pick the wrong crusher, you may pay more and need more repairs.

 

Application Needs

You should think about where and how you will use the crusher. Some machines are best for big mines. Others are good for small jobs or moving around. Here are some ways people use crushers:

Application Scenario

Description

Laboratory crushing

Crushes small amounts of ore and coal

Small quarries/stone plants

Used for low work, limestone, and building waste

Mobile crushing stations

Main machine for recycling and breaking buildings

Auxiliary crushing

Used before big production lines

Sand and gravel lines

First step for crushing limestone and granite

Mines and Quarries

First step in mining jobs

Construction Waste Crushing

Main tool for recycling materials

Highway Maintenance

Makes materials for roads

Large-scale engineering projects

Used for building dams and highways

 

Checklist:

  • What is your budget?

  • How much do you need to crush each hour?

  • What material will you process?

  • Where will you use the crusher?

  • Do you need easy maintenance?

You can use this checklist to help you pick the best crusher for your job.

 

When Jaw Crushers Are Preferred

Best Use Cases

You will find jaw crushers in many industries. These machines help you break down large rocks and materials. You can use them in mining, quarrying, construction, and recycling. The table below shows where jaw crushers work best:

Industry

Application Description

Mining

You can use jaw crushers to break large chunks of ore into smaller pieces. They work well with iron, copper, gold, and silver ores. You can also use them for coal processing.

Quarrying

Jaw crushers help you process natural stone and aggregates. They break down big stone blocks for building projects.

Construction

You can crush concrete and asphalt on-site. This reduces waste and saves money. Jaw crushers also help you process demolition debris into new materials.

Recycling

You can recycle construction waste with jaw crushers. They turn mixed debris into reusable materials. This helps the environment and saves resources.

 

You should choose a jaw crusher if you need a strong machine for tough jobs. Jaw crushers handle hard rocks, concrete, and mixed materials. You can use them for the first step in many crushing jobs. They work well when you want to reuse materials or reduce waste.

Tip: Jaw crushers help you save money and support green building by recycling old materials.

 

When to Consider Alternatives

Sometimes, a jaw crusher may not fit your needs. You should watch for warning signs before you buy or use one. Here are some things to look out for:

  • You see a used compact crusher with fresh paint. This may hide damage.

  • Someone says you can "crush anything" with a jaw crusher. This is not true for all materials.

  • The seller promises very high production rates. These numbers may not be real.

  • The sales team only talks to you on the phone. They may not know much about the product.

  • You cannot find spare parts in your area. This means you may have trouble fixing your machine.

  • The price for a "good used" crusher is very low. This often means the machine has a lot of wear.

  • The seller does not offer start-up training. This shows they may not know the machine well.

You should think about these signs before you choose a jaw crusher. If you see any of these, you may want to look at other types of crushers. Always pick the machine that fits your job and gives you good support.

 

 

Jaw crushers are very reliable and do not break often. They cost less to fix and work well with hard, rough rocks. But they cannot crush as much at once and use a lot of energy. When picking a crusher, think about what you need it for. Make sure it does the job you want and does not cost too much. Check how many times you need to crush things. Look at how much crushed rock you want to get. See how often you will need to fix the machine. Talk to experts if you are not sure. Pick the jaw crusher or another crusher that fits your rocks and your work needs.

 

FAQ

What materials can you crush with a jaw crusher?

You can crush hard rocks like granite, basalt, and quartz. You can also use jaw crushers for concrete, bricks, and softer stones. Jaw crushers work well for many types of materials.

How often do you need to maintain a jaw crusher?

You should check your jaw crusher every day. Clean it and look for worn parts. Change the oil and replace parts as needed. Regular care helps your machine last longer.

Is a jaw crusher easy to move to new job sites?

Many jaw crushers come in mobile versions. You can move these machines with a truck or trailer. Mobile jaw crushers help you work in different places without buying new equipment.

How do you choose the right size jaw crusher?

First, think about how much material you want to crush each hour. Check the feed opening size and the output size you need. Pick a crusher that matches your job.

What safety tips should you follow when using a jaw crusher?

Always wear safety gear. Keep hands and tools away from moving parts. Turn off the machine before repairs. Read the manual and follow all safety rules.

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