Crushers and screens: what to check before buying
10 June, 2026
Jaw wear
In a jaw crusher, the toothed plates perform most of the crushing work and therefore suffer the most wear. Evaluating their condition is the first thing you should do because they are an expensive wear part and their replacement affects the machine’s real cost.
Pay attention to the following aspects:
Tooth depth and profile. Check whether the teeth retain their original profile or whether they have become rounded and flattened through use. Worn teeth reduce crushing capacity and the quality of the final product. As a guideline, when a plate has lost around 80% of its usable material, it should be replaced to avoid compromising machine performance.
Alignment between fixed and moving jaw. The peak of the teeth on one plate should fit into the valley of the opposing plate. If the pattern does not match or if there is highly uneven wear, it may indicate incorrect feeding or adjustment problems that have persisted over time.
Cracks, perforations, and deformations. Inspect the surface for cracks, perforated areas, or deformations. A cracked plate requires immediate replacement, not repair.
Side liner plates (cheek plates). Do not forget to inspect the plates that protect the sides of the crushing chamber; their wear also affects the life of the frame.
Always ask for the history of plate replacements: knowing how many hours they have been installed gives you a much more reliable indication than a simple visual inspection.
Condition of cones and liners
In cone crushers, the components subjected to abrasion are the mantle (the moving conical component) and the bowl liner (the fixed component surrounding it). The material is crushed between them, so wear is direct and constant.
What to check:
Mantle and bowl liner thickness. This is the key point. These liners should be replaced when their thickness falls below the manufacturer’s specifications. Advanced wear and, above all, uneven wear indicate intensive use or poorly distributed feed.
Wear pattern. Uniform wear is normal; ring-shaped wear or wear concentrated in one area may indicate feeding problems, excessive fines, or operation with an improperly loaded chamber.
Eccentric shaft and bearings. Listen to the machine while it is running if possible. Unusual noises, excessive vibration, or play indicate wear in the eccentric shaft or the main bearings, repairs that are far more expensive than a simple liner replacement.
Adjustment and safety system. Check the device that regulates the discharge opening and the overload protection system (for the intrusion of uncrushable material). Firm adjustment is a sign of good maintenance.
It is worth remembering that liners are expected consumables: what matters is not whether they are worn, but quantifying how much life they have left and factoring it into the negotiated price.
Screens and screen media: when are they worn out?
In screening machines, the screens are the heart of the machine and a consumable that is replaced regularly. Their condition determines screening accuracy and therefore the quality of your classified products.
Signs that a screen is worn out or close to being worn out:
Thinned or broken wires. Abrasion gradually thins the wires until they break. Worn wires progressively enlarge the openings, reducing control over the final product gradation.
Deformed openings. Check that the openings maintain their original size and shape. Enlarged or deformed openings mean inaccurate screening, even if the screen is not completely broken.
Blinding and clogging. Check whether the screens show blockages caused by trapped particles or fine material adhering to the wires. Severe blinding drastically reduces efficiency and sometimes indicates that the wrong screen has been selected for the material.
Tension and fastening. A poorly tensioned screen generates excessive vibration, inaccurate screening, uneven wear, and premature breakage. Check the condition of the fastening systems and supports.
Unlike jaws and cones, replacing screens is usually relatively inexpensive, but pay attention to the structure that supports them (the screening decks and their supports): damage there is a serious repair.
Pre-purchase inspection checklist
Beyond the specific wear points, take this list with you on the day of the inspection so that you do not overlook anything important:
Documentation and history. Request the hour meter reading, maintenance history, and records of wear-part replacements (plates, mantles, liners, screens). Equipment with documented maintenance is worth more than equipment with fewer hours but no records.
Main wear parts. Evaluate jaws or cones/liners depending on the machine type, and the condition of the screens on screening equipment. Estimate how much life they have left and translate it into cost.
Structure and frame. Look for cracks, repair welds, and deformations in the chassis and in the crushing chamber or screen box. Structural damage is the most expensive and difficult to correct.
Hydraulic system. Check cylinders, hoses, and connections for leaks, and verify the adjustment and safety systems. Test hydraulic movements if possible.
Engine, transmission, and bearings. Pay attention to start-up, smoke, noises, and vibrations. Worn bearings reveal themselves through vibration and abnormal temperatures.
Conveyors. On tracked equipment with integrated conveyors, inspect the condition of the belts, rollers, and drums, as well as the tracks.
Operational test. Whenever possible, watch the machine work under load, even briefly. A real test reveals noises, play, and vibrations that a static inspection does not show.
Source and support. Buying from a supplier with audited equipment, clear documentation, and technical inspections significantly reduces risk compared to a private transaction.
FAQ
What is the most expensive component to replace on a used crusher? It depends on the type. In jaw crushers, the toothed plates; in cone crushers, the mantle and bowl liner. However, the truly costly repairs are structural repairs and those involving the eccentric shaft, bearings, and hydraulic system. That is why it is important to distinguish between normal consumable wear and underlying damage.
How do I know if the jaws or cone need immediate replacement? When the teeth or liner have lost most of their usable material (around 80%), when there are cracks or perforations, or when wear is so uneven that it affects product quality. Slight and uniform wear is normal and should simply be reflected in the price.
How often are screens replaced on a screening machine? There is no fixed figure: it depends on the abrasiveness of the material, hours of use, moisture, and the type of screen. The important thing when buying second-hand equipment is to assess its current condition (wires, openings, tension, and blinding) and assume that screens are a consumable that requires periodic replacement.
Is it worth buying used crushers and screens? Yes, provided they are properly inspected. They allow access to equipment from leading brands at much lower prices and with faster payback. The key is to correctly assess wear parts and the structure, and to incorporate the cost of pending consumable replacements into the negotiation.
What documentation should I request before buying? The hour meter reading, maintenance history, and wear-part replacement records. This documentation is the best indicator of how the machine has been cared for and is usually more reliable than the number of hours alone.
Can I rely solely on a visual inspection? A visual inspection is essential, but insufficient. Whenever possible, complement it with an operational test under load and a review of the documentation. Noises, vibrations, and play can only be detected while the machine is running.
At CYCLICA, you will find used crushers and screens that have been rigorously inspected by our technicians. If you have any questions about the condition of a machine or about which one best suits your operation, our team can advise you before you invest.