In quarries and the crushing and screening industry, jaw crushers are often referred to by their opening size; in Turkey, sites call them “60”, “90”, “110” or “140” crushers. These names describe the machine’s size briefly, but what they mean, how they relate to capacity and how they vary between manufacturers is often unclear. In this guide we explain jaw crusher sizes, the relationship between feed opening, feed size and capacity, and how to choose the right jaw crusher size.
For the jaw crusher working principle and maintenance see our jaw crusher guide.
What Does a Jaw Crusher Size Tell You?
A jaw crusher size is expressed by the dimensions of its feed opening:
- Opening width: The horizontal width of the jaw plates; affects how wide a stone the crusher can accept and its capacity.
- Opening depth (gape): The top opening between the fixed and moving jaws; determines the largest stone that can be accepted.
On Turkish sites a “90” crusher generally means a feed opening about 90 cm wide (e.g. a 90 × 60 cm opening). Similarly, “60” is used for crushers about 60 cm wide, “110” for about 110 cm and “140” for about 140 cm. This naming is not standard, however; two machines with the same name may differ in gape, weight, stroke and capacity depending on the manufacturer. Always compare the full opening size (width × depth) and the data sheet.
Common Jaw Crusher Sizes and Approximate Values
The table below shows approximate ranges of typical catalogue values for single-toggle jaw crushers with common opening sizes. Values vary considerably by manufacturer, design, rock and setting; for exact capacity, the manufacturer’s data sheet and site conditions apply.
| Site Name (Turkey) | Opening (width × depth) | Max. Feed (approx.) | CSS Range (approx.) | Capacity (approx.) | Motor Power (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “60” | 600 × 400 mm | ~340 mm | 40–100 mm | ~15–60 t/h | ~30 kW |
| “75” | 750 × 500 mm | ~425 mm | 50–100 mm | ~40–110 t/h | ~55 kW |
| “90” | 900 × 600 mm | ~500 mm | 65–160 mm | ~50–180 t/h | ~55–75 kW |
| “106” / “110” | 1060 × 700 mm and similar | ~600 mm | 80–140 mm | ~110–320 t/h | ~90–110 kW |
| “120” | 1200 × 900 mm | ~750 mm | 95–165 mm | ~220–450 t/h | ~110–132 kW |
| “140” and above | 1400 mm wide and above | Depends on gape | By design | High-capacity primary crushing | By design |
The ranges in the table are indicative only. Capacity is given over a wide range because it falls quickly as the setting is reduced and because of the effect of rock type.
How Is Feed Size Determined?
As a practical rule, the largest stone fed to a jaw crusher should be about 80–85% of the gape. Larger blocks bridge the opening, stop the crusher and require intervention with a hydraulic rock breaker. Jaw crusher size should therefore be considered together with the block sizes produced by blasting (drill and blast guide).
Factors Affecting Capacity
- Closed side setting (CSS): As the setting is reduced, the product becomes finer and capacity falls.
- Rock type: Capacity falls and wear rises in hard, abrasive rocks (rock crushability).
- Pre-screening: Removing fines with a grizzly feeder increases the crusher’s real capacity (feeder types).
- Steady feeding: Keeping the opening full and preventing bridging.
- Jaw plate profile and condition: Worn plates reduce capacity and spoil the product (jaw plates guide).
- Speed and stroke: Depend on the machine design.
How to Choose the Right Jaw Crusher Size
- Define the maximum feed size: Choose a gape that accepts the largest block.
- Define the target capacity: The primary crusher must handle the plant’s whole capacity; pre-screening can reduce the quantity going to the crusher.
- Define the discharge size: The setting is set according to what the secondary crusher can accept.
- Consider rock properties: Capacity and wear calculations for hard rock are made accordingly.
- Fixed or mobile: Mobile jaw crushers are limited in size and weight (mobile or fixed).
For the primary crusher’s place in the plant see our crushing and screening plant set-up guide, and for the factors behind prices our crusher prices guide.
Spare Parts by Size
Jaw crusher spare parts vary with opening size and model. When ordering, give the make, model and serial number as well as the opening size.
| Part | Size-Dependent Information | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed and moving jaw plates | Width, length, thickness, tooth profile, bolt holes | Jaw plates |
| Cheek plates | Length, width, fixing | Cheek plates |
| Toggle plate | Length, width, thickness, end profile | Toggle plate |
| Eccentric shaft and bearings | Shaft diameters, bearing numbers | Eccentric shaft |
| Tension springs and rods | Spring dimensions | Tension springs |
Common Mistakes
- Comparing machines only by a name such as “90” without checking the gape and data sheet.
- Choosing a small crusher without considering block size after blasting.
- Running the primary crusher without pre-screening and losing capacity.
- Calculating capacity at the widest setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a “90” jaw crusher mean?
On Turkish sites it generally means a jaw crusher with a feed opening about 90 cm wide (e.g. 90 × 60 cm). Exact dimensions and capacity vary by manufacturer.
How many tonnes per hour does a 900 × 600 jaw crusher crush?
For common 900 × 600 mm crushers, values of roughly 50–180 t/h are quoted, depending on setting and rock.
What is the largest stone that can be fed to a jaw crusher?
Generally about 80–85% of the gape; larger stones bridge the opening.
Is a bigger crusher always better?
No. An oversized crusher increases investment, energy and parts costs; size should match feed, capacity and product targets.
Choosing a Jaw Crusher Size: Example
Consider a limestone quarry where the largest blocks after blasting are about 450 mm, the target capacity is 120 t/h and the primary crusher product should be about 0–150 mm:
| Criterion | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Feed size | A 450 mm block needs a gape of at least ~530–560 mm → a 600 mm deep opening is suitable |
| Capacity | With pre-screening, the quantity going to the crusher falls; a 900 × 600 mm class crusher is a suitable range |
| Setting | The CSS for the target product is chosen within the data sheet range; capacity is checked at this setting |
| Result | A “90” class crusher is a preliminary choice; the final selection is confirmed with the manufacturer’s data sheet |
Field Example
At one quarry, a used crusher bought as a “110” does not deliver the expected capacity. Inspection shows the opening width really is about 110 cm, but the gape and stroke are smaller than those of the crusher it was compared with, and the jaw plates are heavily worn. New jaw plates and the correct setting improve capacity, but this example shows that machines should not be compared by their site names alone.
Glossary
- Opening width: The horizontal width of the jaw plates.
- Gape (feed opening depth): The top opening between the jaws.
- CSS: Closed side setting; the narrowest discharge distance between the jaws.
- Stroke: The travel of the moving jaw at its lower end.
- Toggle plate: The part that supports the moving jaw and protects the crusher by breaking under overload.
More Questions
How many tonnes does a “110” jaw crusher crush?
For common 1060–1100 mm wide crushers, values of roughly a few hundred tonnes per hour are quoted depending on setting and rock; check the manufacturer’s data sheet for exact figures.
How do I choose between a jaw crusher and a primary impact crusher?
Jaw crushers suit abrasive, hard rocks; impact crushers stand out for softer rocks such as limestone and where a high reduction ratio is wanted (impact crusher guide).
What about opening sizes on mobile jaw crushers?
The same logic applies; however, because of transport size limits, the largest openings are limited compared with fixed plants (mobile crusher maintenance).
CSP Mühendislik Support
CSP Mühendislik supports jaw crusher selection and manufacture and the supply of wear and mechanical spare parts for jaw crushers of different opening sizes. See our jaw crusher spare parts page and jaw crusher spare parts guide for parts, and our crushers page for crushers.
