Primary crushers · feed opening and maximum feed size, closed side setting from open side setting, nip angle, scalping and the basis of capacity figures
A jaw crusher is a compression crusher in which a moving jaw, driven by an eccentric shaft, closes against a fixed jaw to break rock fed into a V-shaped cavity; it serves as a primary crusher after a grizzly feeder in quarry, mining and recycling plants. Ask three things first: what feed opening the largest rock needs, what closed side setting gives your product size, and on what feed material and conditions the maker's capacity figures are based.
Stationary and mobile (track-mounted) single-toggle jaw crushers for primary crushing of rock, ore and construction waste. Cone and impact crushers, laboratory jaw crushers and crusher wear parts sold alone are outside this page except where compared.
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01
Metso's application guide for its Nordberg C Series jaw crushers defines the feed opening (cavity depth) as the straight-line distance from the top of the fixed jaw tooth to the bottom of the movable jaw tooth, and states that the maximum feed size is approximately 80% of the feed opening. The closed side setting (CSS) is found by deducting the stroke from the open side setting (OSS) measured at rest, and Metso states that it defines the maximum product size and has significant bearing on capacity, product gradation, power draw and wear. [1]
The guide lists feed opening depths from 510 mm (C80, 800 mm wide) to 1,500 mm (C200, 2,000 mm wide), with C130 at 1,000 × 1,300 mm, and dimensions to deduct from the OSS of 24 mm (C80) to 50 mm (C200), 41 mm for C130. It describes a nip angle that is too large as reducing capacity and increasing wear, because feed grinds upward against the jaw dies. [1]
Editorial calculation: a C130-size cavity with a 1,000 mm feed opening accepts feed up to about 0.8 × 1,000 = 800 mm; with an OSS of 191 mm measured at rest, the CSS is 191 − 41 = 150 mm. Opening and OSS are examples; size the opening for the largest lump your loader or blast delivers, and check the maker's permitted minimum CSS.
Give the supplier the rock or material type and compressive strength or abrasiveness, maximum lump size, feed gradation and fines content, moisture and clay, required product size and capacity in t/h, plant layout (stationary or mobile), feeder and scalping arrangement, power supply, and downstream crushers.
02
A Nordberg C Series specification sheet states that its capacities are through-the-crusher figures based on feed with an average specific gravity of 2.7 t/m³, a maximum feed size that enters without bridging, and material finer than the CSS removed, and that they vary with feeding method and with feed gradation, bulk density, moisture, clay content and crushability. [2]
Metso's guide adds operating rules that affect real capacity: oversized feed decreases capacity and loads components, small feed increases wear at the bottom of the cavity, the cavity should be kept full with feed spread evenly, fines smaller than the CSS should be scalped out by the feeder's grizzly section because they increase jaw die wear, and an uneven wear profile reduces capacity and raises crushing forces. [1]
A second maker states capacity the same two ways. Sandvik's technical specification for its CJ411 jaw crusher (Rock Processing Guide 2013) lists a 1,045 × 840 mm feed opening, 750 mm maximum feed size, 110 kW maximum motor power, closed side settings from 50 to 250 mm, and an approximate total weight of 20,600 kg. It gives each nominal capacity as a pair — the lower figure with fines removed from the feed and the higher with fines included — such as 200–265 t/h at 100 mm CSS and 295–390 t/h at 150 mm, and notes that its maximum feed size applies to regularly shaped material, since irregular lumps can cause difficulty even when smaller. [3]
Editorial calculation: Sandvik's 750 mm maximum feed on an 840 mm opening is about 89% of the opening (750 ÷ 840), above the 80% Metso gives, so check which dimension each maker calls the feed opening; and at 100 mm CSS including fines raises the CJ411 figure by about 33% (265 ÷ 200). [3] [1]
Editorial note: compare offers at the same CSS and on the same feed assumptions, and ask how much scalping the quoted capacity assumes; if your rock is denser or wetter than the basis, ask for a performance estimate for your material.
03
Listings include stationary jaw crushers for quarry and mining plants, mobile jaw crushers, and jaw crushers in construction-waste and recycling lines. Ask each for feed opening, CSS range, capacity basis and the jaw die profiles offered.
04
Terex's product page for its JW42 jaw crusher, part of a JW Series designed for track, mobile or static plants, lists a 760 × 1,070 mm (30 × 42 in) feed opening, a closed side setting (CSS) range of 75–210 mm (3–7 in), capacity of 135–430 mtph (155–480 tph), a 110 kW (150 hp) motor and a weight of 17,740 kg (39,100 lb). It says a hydraulically actuated wedge system allows the closed side setting to be adjusted. [4]
The page gives one capacity span across the whole CSS range and does not state the feed density, fines treatment or material behind it, unlike the Nordberg sheet's 2.7 t/m³ basis with fines removed and Sandvik's paired figures per setting. [4] [2] [3]
Editorial calculation: the top of the span is about 3.2 times the bottom (430 ÷ 135). If 760 mm is the cavity depth, Metso's 80% rule would put maximum feed near 0.8 × 760 = 608 mm; confirm the depth and the maker's own maximum feed size on the drawing. Ask Terex or any supplier for capacity at your CSS and material, on the same basis as competing offers. [4] [1] [3]
05
Metso's guide supports the jaw-die, pitman and grizzly rows; toggle, frame and drive carry no source here, so take their details from the offered machine's drawing.
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed and movable jaw dies | Crush rock; tooth profile sets setting measurement. [1] | Profile and manganese grade. |
| Pitman and eccentric shaft | Drive the movable jaw stroke. [1] | Speed and stroke. |
| Toggle plate and setting adjustment | Set OSS/CSS; overload protection. | Adjustment method. |
| Frame and cheek plates | Carry crushing forces; protect sides. | Construction and liners. |
| Feeder with grizzly | Scalps fines before the crusher. [1] | Bar spacing and capacity. |
| Drive motor and flywheels | Supply power and inertia. | Power and drive arrangement. |
06
Closed side setting is the entry the other figures hang on: Metso ties product size, capacity, power draw and wear to it, so ask for capacity and power at the CSS you will run.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Opening Size (mm) | Examples: 510 × 800 mm to 1,500 × 2,000 mm. [1] | Depth and width. |
| Maximum Feed Size (mm) | About 80% of feed opening. [1] | Maximum lump. |
| Discharge Setting (mm) | CSS = OSS − stroke allowance (e.g. 41 mm). [1] | CSS range and minimum. |
| Capacity (t/h) | Based on 2.7 t/m³ feed, fines removed; e.g. 200–265 t/h at 100 mm CSS (fines removed/included). [2] [3] | Capacity at your CSS and material. |
| Motor Power (kW) | CSS affects power draw; e.g. 110 kW max (1,045 × 840 mm). [1] [3] | Installed power at your CSS. |
| Weight (kg) | Foundations and transport; e.g. about 20,600 kg. [3] | Weight. |
| Eccentric Shaft Speed (r/min) | Sets stroke frequency. | Speed. |
| Crushing Cavity Shape | Nip angle affects capacity and wear. [1] | Cavity and nip angle. |
| Toggle Plate Material | Overload element. | Material. |
| Jaw Plate Material | Manganese grades by application. [1] | Grade and profile. |
| Lubrication Method | Bearings. | Method. |
| Noise Level (dB(A)) | Site limits. | Value. |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | Climate. | Range. |
07
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Material: [type; strength; abrasiveness; moisture; clay] Feed: [maximum lump; gradation; fines] Product: [size; capacity t/h] Plant: [stationary or mobile; feeder; scalping] Power: [supply; motor] Downstream: [secondary crushers; screens]
AIMIX Group and Henan Liming Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd. list jaw crushers for stone and ore plants; Dezhou Qunfeng Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. lists mobile jaw crushers inside waste recycling lines.
Lists jaw crushers for primary crushing in stone crusher plants.
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Lists jaw and mobile jaw crushers with other crushing and mining equipment.
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Lists jaw crushers among ore crushing and processing machines.
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Lists mobile jaw crushers within waste sorting and recycling plants.
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Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
Metso puts maximum feed size at about 80% of the feed opening. [1]
The open side setting minus the stroke; Metso's guide says it defines the maximum product size and bears on capacity, gradation, power draw and wear. [1]
They rest on assumptions; one Nordberg sheet assumes 2.7 t/m³ feed, no bridging and fines removed. [2]
Sandvik's CJ411 sheet gives the lower figure for feed with fines removed and the higher for fines included, for example 200–265 t/h at 100 mm closed side setting. [3]
Terex lists a 75–210 mm closed side setting range for its JW42, which has a 760 × 1,070 mm feed opening and a hydraulic wedge adjustment. [4]
Sources checked 2026-10-12. Both sources are Metso documents for its own crushers (the specification sheet is held in a US EPA archive); they illustrate how settings and capacities are defined, not limits for other makes.
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