Mobile aggregate crushers have become increasingly important in modern construction and mining projects. Their ability to process raw stone and mineral materials on-site reduces transport costs and ensures continuous aggregate supply for concrete, asphalt, and infrastructure development. One of the most critical performance indicators of these machines is hourly capacity, which directly influences project efficiency, cost, and equipment selection.
Factors Influencing Hourly Capacity
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Crusher Type
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Jaw Crushers: Typically handle coarse crushing with capacities ranging from 50–600 tons per hour (TPH), depending on size and configuration.
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Impact Crushers: Often used for medium to fine crushing; their capacity can reach 100–500 TPH, depending on feed hardness and rotor speed.
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Cone Crushers: Ideal for secondary/tertiary crushing of hard rock, offering capacities of 80–700 TPH.
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Vertical Shaft Impact (VSI) Crushers: Specialized for sand-making and shaping aggregates, producing 30–400 TPH.
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Material Characteristics
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Hardness: Harder materials (e.g., granite, basalt) reduce throughput compared to softer ones (e.g., limestone).
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Moisture: Wet or sticky feed materials can clog crushers, reducing effective hourly output.
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Feed Size: Larger feed requires more reduction per stage, lowering capacity.
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Machine Configuration
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Screen size, rotor diameter, jaw opening, and conveyor capacity all impact throughput.
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Closed-circuit setups with screening units enhance efficiency by recirculating oversized material.
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Operational Efficiency
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Skilled operators, proper loading methods, and timely maintenance ensure the crusher operates near its rated capacity.
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Poor operation can reduce effective hourly capacity by 20–30%.
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Typical Hourly Capacities
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Small Mobile Crushers (compact, portable): 30–150 TPH
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Mid-Range Units: 150–400 TPH
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High-Capacity Crushers (heavy-duty mobile plants): 400–800+ TPH
These ranges vary significantly depending on material type, machine brand, and site conditions.
Why Hourly Capacity Matters
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Project Planning – Contractors match crusher output to daily aggregate demand to avoid supply bottlenecks.
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Cost Efficiency – Higher capacity machines reduce operating hours and fuel costs per ton.
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Flexibility – Mobile crushers with adjustable settings allow contractors to adapt production to project requirements.
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Market Competitiveness – Consistent high-capacity output enables suppliers to meet large construction project timelines.
The hourly capacity of mobile aggregate crushers depends on machine type, feed material, and operational practices. While compact models suit small-scale projects, high-capacity crushers support large infrastructure works. Understanding these capacity ranges helps mining companies, contractors, and aggregate suppliers choose equipment that balances efficiency, cost, and production requirements.