Crushers are the heart of any material processing operation—breaking down rocks, concrete and recycled materials into usable, transportable sizes. But not all crushers work the same way, and knowing which one is best for your job can significantly affect efficiency, wear life and operating costs. Jaw crushers, impact crushers and cone crushers all have different strengths and uses. Here’s a breakdown of how they compare and when you should use each.

What is a Jaw Crusher?

A jaw crusher is most frequently used as a primary crusher. It reduces larger material through compressive force using two jaw plates—one fixed and the other moving in an elliptical motion. The two plates are pitched in a V-Shape ‘nipping’ the material at the base of the V as the moving plate rotates. This motion crushes the material against the stationary jaw.

  • Ideal for: initial reduction (not for final sizing)
  • Common feed ratio: 6:1 (top size should not exceed six times the desired output size, whilst the Jaw can do greater ratios, doing so will only reduce the efficiency of the machine)
  • Typical output range: 2” to 7.5” CSS (closed side setting)
  • Best for: hard, abrasive material and general contractor use

Jaw crushers are known for their simplicity and durability. They’re more forgiving in unprepared applications where material may contain contaminants like steel or rebar. This makes them great for general-purpose crushing and rental operations.

What is an Impact Crusher?

An impact crusher uses high-speed rotors with bars to crush material by impact. Material is flung against internal wear plates or other rocks to break it down. Impact crushers can be used as primary or secondary crushers, depending on the material and setup.

  • Ideal for: recycling applications such as asphalt, concrete and C&D waste
  • Greater reduction potential: typically, a reduction rations of 12:1 or less
  • Offers more accurate sizing capability through adjustable curtains and closed-circuit setups
  • Less suitable for: highly abrasive or steel-contaminated material (unless properly prepped)

Impact crushers provide flexibility with adjustable aprons and can produce a more uniform, smaller product size. Closed-circuit designs allow sizing and recirculation in one compact machine—popular in rental fleets and recycling yards.

What is a Cone Crusher?

A cone crusher is most often used as a secondary or tertiary crusher. It uses a rotating mantle inside a concave bowl to compress material. The movement mimics a pestle grinding inside a mortar.

  • Ideal for: clean, pre-sized material where precision and cubical output are required
  • Capable of extremely fine output: down to ¼ inch (6 mm)
  • Runs at high speed: 800–1000 RPM
  • Less tolerant of contamination—requires well-prepped feed

Cone crushers produce highly cubical finished products and are typically used in harder rock applications. However, they require more careful material prep and are not as flexible in dirty or unprepared environments.

Key Differences to Consider When Selecting a Crusher

When deciding which crusher to use, think about:

  • Primary Use: Jaw crushers handle the initial size reduction of raw feed material. Impact crushers can work as either primary or secondary units. Cone crushers are best suited for secondary or tertiary crushing where fine output is desired.
  • Reduction Ratio: Jaw crushers typically offer up to a 6:1 ratio, while impact crushers deliver more aggressive reduction—up to 12:1. Cone crushers also achieve high reduction ratios but are focused on precision and fine gradation.
  • Feed Sensitivity: Jaw crushers are the most forgiving when it comes to dirty or unprepared feed. Impact crushers can handle some contamination but perform best with prepped material. Cone crushers require clean, sized feed for optimal performance.
  • Sizing Control: Jaw crushers offer limited control over product size. Impact crushers use adjustable chamber features and screen decks for greater control. Cone crushers offer the highest degree of size precision, often producing a cubical final product.
  • Best Applications: Jaw crushers are great for hard rock and general construction. Impact crushers shine in asphalt and recycling applications. Cone crushers are ideal for producing clean, high-quality aggregate in well-prepped environments.

 

A Closer Look: Anaconda Crushing Equipment

Anaconda offers a compact yet powerful range of crushers suited for contractor needs and rental markets:

  • J12 Jaw Crusher: A direct drive primary jaw designed for simplicity and ease of use, featuring hydraulic adjust and reversible chamber operation.
  • I12 Impact Crusher: A top-selling closed-circuit impact crusher available with or without a 12×5 double-deck recirculating screen, optimized for tight specs in C&D and recycling.
  • C12 Cone Crusher: Featuring a proven FLSmidth Raptor® cone chamber and double-deck screen, the C12 offers precision crushing for high-end applications that is also available with or without a 12×5 double-deck recirculating screen

Each unit is built with user-friendly controls, field-ready durability and transport flexibility, making them ideal for rental or contractor environments.