Getting a rock crusher attachment for your skid steer increases your capacity onsite to process material. A rock crusher can crush stones, concrete, and debris from a project extremely well, saving money while producing reusable aggregate. However, being confident in your purchase requires doing the research about several important technical, operational, and compatibility issues. Adding rock wheels as a complementary attachment can further improve your skid steer’s capabilities for cutting and grinding.
Key Considerations Before Buying a Rock Crusher for Skid Steer
Here is a comprehensive, detailed guide to what you need to know before investing in a rock crusher for skid steer:
Understand Your Skid Steerβs Hydraulic and Mechanical Specifications
The first thing you will need to do is check your skid steer’s hydraulic system flow and operational pressure. Generally, rock crusher attachments require:
- Hydraulic Flow:Β 20 to 40 gallons per minute (GPM)
- Operating Pressure: around 3,000 psi or more.
This will make sure you provide enough power to the hydraulic motor to crush the materials efficiently and consistently, and not overload the hydraulic system of the skid steer. You should also be aware of your skid steer’s rated operating capacity and lift capacity because rock crushers are heavy equipment that needs to exert force when crushing. The consequences of an incompatible piece of equipment could be underperformance, failure of the hydraulic system, or unsafe operating conditions.
Identify Material Types and Jobsite Requirements
Different rock crushers are designed for different materials:
- Hard natural rock or stone
- Concrete, with or without rebar
- Asphalt and brick rubble
- Mixed demolition material
Select a rock crusher for skid steer that has a jaw opening size, rotor configuration, and crushing force to match the major material types you will be working with. For example, if the rock crusher has replaceable wear-resistant steel teeth and cheek plates, it maximizes working with more abrasive concrete or any natural rock material, while light-duty models may be sufficient while dealing with less abrasive materials.
Consider Crusher Size, Weight, and Throughput Capacity
Rock crusher attachments have many different sizes and capacities to fit skid steers in horsepower classes (typical are 90-120 HP):
- Crusher inlet widths will typically be 24 inches to over 30 inches wide.
- Throughput can be 8-10 tons per hour with larger units, depending on feed size and hardness of the material processed.
- The weight of an attachment ranges widely from 1500 to over 3000 lbs. Your skid steer needs to be able to lift and maneuver safely, as well.
Choose a rock crusher for skid steer that matches a tolerance in workload demand, hydraulic capacity, and lift capacity, so that you are able to operate it without wearing parts out faster than you should.
Verify Mounting System Compatibility
Most rock crusher for skid steer today use a universal style quick-attach where connectors can be changed quickly and make a secure connection. Always ensure that the mounting options on the rock crusher match your skid steer coupler style exactly, or you risk making an unsafe connection and possibly incurring additional costs.
Evaluate Durability and Maintenance Considerations
Operational life will be mitigated based on the quality and maintainability of your materials.
- Select your crushers based on abrasion-resistant alloys, such as Tri-Braze steel, sourced from bolt-on branded products like Hog Crusher.
- Select crushers with wear parts: teeth, jaw plates, cheek plates, and hydraulic hoses that can be replaced easily from the job site and have short down times.
- Look for build features such as reinforced frames and guard protection for moving parts that will reduce the damage for tougher applications.
Gaining the capability to complete proactive maintenance helps control costs and significantly increase uptime.
Safety Features and Operational Controls
An efficient rock crusher for skid steer must have the following features:
- The hydraulic automatically reverses to clear any jams without stopping or detaching.
- Operator safeguards, shields, and emergency shutoffs to protect the operator and by-passers.
- Dust suppression options are available (e.g., water spray bars) to limit dust and airborne harmful particulates and improve visibility on the worksite.
- Intuitive operation and controls are ergonomically designed and compatible with your skid steer hydraulic operation.
After-Sales Support and Warranty
Use manufacturers or dealers that offer:
- Complete tech support and training on setup and troubleshooting.
- Convenient access to replacement parts and wear parts.
- Warranties for hydraulic motors, wear parts, and structure to protect your investment.
This network of support can make a difference in keeping your operation running smoothly and productively with less frustration.
Final Words
The investment in a rock crusher for skid steer not only changes the way you process materials, but it also adds efficiency and saves money while on-site. You can combine this with rock wheels for total control over rock grinding and cutting, creating a full rock-processing powerhouse.
Donβt settle for less. Get the most out of your skid steer loader with Rockzone Americas rock crushers and rock wheels! Reach out to our team today for advice, quotes, and assistance specific to your skid steer model and project needs. Get started on your toughest jobs today!