What is a crusher?

A crusher is a piece of construction equipment designed to compress or break down large chunks of material into smaller, manageable pieces. These dynamic machines play a pivotal role in many sectors, including mining, recycling, and construction. The primary function of a crusher is to take raw material like rocks or debris and transform it into a product with practical utility by reducing its size.

Crushers come in various shapes and sizes, each tailored to cater to specific tasks. Jaw crushers, known for their ability to handle hard and abrasive materials, are commonly used for primary crushing operations in quarries, efficiently breaking down large rocks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Meanwhile, impact crushers are ideal for softer materials like concrete and asphalt, using high-speed impact force to create uniform aggregate. Bucket crushers offer a mobile solution, allowing operators to crush materials directly on-site, reducing transportation costs and boosting efficiency.

Trusted Crusher Brands at Machinery Partner

At Machinery Partner, you’ll find crushers from industry leaders designed for reliability, productivity, and efficiency on every job.

• Omega Crushing and Screening offers a robust range of crushers built for durability and ease of use. Their machines are engineered to handle demanding material processing tasks with simple controls and solid construction.

• Rockster specializes in mobile impact and jaw crushers. Known for flexibility, Rockster crushers allow fast changes between applications and offer efficient onsite crushing for concrete, asphalt, and natural stone.

• Krushtech delivers compact crushers that are ideal for small to mid-size contractors. Their machines are designed to keep transport costs low while still offering strong performance on recycling and demolition jobs.

• Terex EvoQuip combines portability with power. The EvoQuip range includes crushers for small contractors up to high-throughput recycling operations, all with straightforward maintenance and rapid setup.

• Barford machines are built for versatility. The Barford lineup covers compact tracked and static crushers, designed for quick transport and reliable operation across a range of applications.

• Neuson Hydrotec produces specialty crushing equipment with a focus on innovation and high-quality materials. Their solutions support demanding operations such as slag recycling that require precision and consistent results.

Explore our full selection to find the right crusher for your job. If you need help matching a brand to your material or application, reach out to our team for expert advice.

History of the crusher

The first rudimentary crushers were invented in the 19th century, with designs heavily influenced by the industrial revolution's technological advancements. These early models primarily relied on steam power and mechanical design principles to break down large rocks into smaller, manageable sizes.

One of the earliest iterations was the jaw crusher, patented by Eli Whitney Blake in 1858. Blake's design featured two jaws, one stationary and one mobile, that worked together to crush materials trapped between them. This invention revolutionized the construction industry by providing a more efficient way to process raw materials.

As technology progressed, so did crusher designs. In 1895, Thomas Edison invented a design that utilized electromagnets to pulverize rocks into dust. Later in the 20th century, the advent of hydraulic systems led to the development of hydraulic cone crushers which could apply greater pressure to materials than their mechanical counterparts.

In recent years, manufacturers have focused on improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing user safety. Modern crushers now feature computer-controlled systems and materials specifically engineered for durability and performance, far from their steam-powered ancestors.