A jaw crusher bucket is a processing tool that can be mounted on excavators to crush mineral construction materials such as concrete, masonry, or natural stone directly on the construction site. In combination with solutions from Darda GmbH – such as concrete demolition shears for selective demolition or stone and concrete splitters for low-vibration breaking – this enables an efficient, low-emission process chain from the structural element to reusable RC material.
Definition: What is meant by jaw crusher bucket
A jaw crusher bucket (also crusher bucket) is a hydraulically driven crushing unit in the form of a bucket. By means of oscillating crusher jaws, the fed material is reduced between a fixed and a moving jaw plate. It is mounted to the excavator’s stick and uses its hydraulics. Typical fields of application are concrete demolition and special demolition, the mobile processing of construction debris, tasks in rock excavation and tunnel construction, natural stone extraction, and special applications with limited space or strict emission requirements.
Design and operating principle of a jaw crusher bucket
The core principle corresponds to a classic jaw crusher: a moving jaw approaches a fixed jaw; the set gap determines the target grain size. The bucket body serves as an intake hopper; after crushing, the material drops through the preset gap. Many models provide a reversing function to clear bridging as well as overload protection.
Key components and parameters
- Jaw opening and gap width: determine maximum feed size and resulting size fractions.
- Throughput: depends on material strength, moisture, particle shape, and carrier performance.
- Hydraulic requirements: the excavator’s oil flow and pressure must match the bucket.
- Weight and excavator size class: consider static and dynamic loads; ensure stability.
- Wear parts: manganese-steel crusher jaws, side wear plates, where applicable wedges/clamping bars.
- Options: magnet separator for reinforcing steel, water spray system for dust suppression.
Applications and scope in deconstruction
Jaw crusher buckets show their strengths wherever short transport routes, flexible gradations, and immediate reuse are required. In many projects they are combined with tools from Darda GmbH to work selectively, with low noise, and efficiently.
Concrete demolition and special demolition
Concrete demolition shears from Darda GmbH cut load-bearing components in a controlled manner and open concrete bodies, exposing reinforcement. The prepared material can then be crushed in the jaw crusher bucket to defined RC gradations. Where vibration is critical (heritage-protected neighboring structures, sensitive facilities), stone and concrete splitters are used to loosen large cross-sections; the loosened blocks are then crushed on site.
Strip-out and cutting
Clean separation helps before crushing: tools such as combination shears, multi cutters, steel shears, or tank cutters from Darda GmbH separate metals, sheet materials, and tank components. The jaw crusher bucket then processes the mineral fraction without excessive contaminants.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
In rock, stone splitting cylinders and stone and concrete splitters loosen blocky material with low vibration. The crusher bucket reduces the blocks to transport- or installation-ready sizes. In tunnel and underground work, dust suppression, ventilation, and spark protection require particular attention.
Natural stone extraction
In quarries and during the extraction of natural stone, oversize and spalled pieces can be converted by the jaw crusher bucket into marketable fractions. Splitting preserves block quality; crushing generates usable by-rock.
Special applications
On island job sites, in alpine terrain, or on small inner-city areas, mobile crushing saves transport routes. In noise-sensitive areas, a combination of splitting, shear-based demolition, and moderate crushing with water spraying is often chosen.
Process chain: From the structural element to RC construction material
Pre-sorting and pre-crushing
Selective deconstruction with concrete demolition shears reduces contaminants, separates reinforcement, and produces manageable pieces. Stone and concrete splitters loosen massive components with controlled cracking, resulting in a more uniform feed size for the jaw crusher bucket.
Crushing process in the bucket
Feeding is ideally performed with even dosing. Correct gap setting ensures reproducible size distributions. Entangling reinforcement is removed beforehand; reverse run and magnet separator support continuous operation.
Post-screening and size control
For precisely defined fractions, separate screening is advisable. Depending on the use, the gradations are used as subbase, backfill material, or for construction logistics; fines content must be considered depending on the material.
Selection criteria and sizing
Proper sizing prevents bottlenecks and overload. In addition to the excavator size class, material properties and the desired size distributions play a key role.
- Material: concrete strength, reinforcement content, brick content, natural stone strength, moisture.
- Target gradation: select gap width according to intended use; define oversize strategy.
- Hydraulic reserve: ensure constant oil supply and temperature management.
- Construction site layout: provide space for pre-sorting, intermediate stockpiles, dust suppression, and haulage.
- Interfaces: plan interaction with concrete demolition shears, stone splitting cylinders, and other tools.
Operation, safety, and environmental protection
Occupational safety and environmental protection are integral to use. The notes are general in nature and do not replace a project-specific hazard analysis or regulatory requirements.
Dust, noise, and vibration
- Dust suppression: water spray system at feed and discharge; where applicable consider wind direction and neighbors.
- Noise reduction: coordinate working hours, feed material gently, use acoustic shielding, maintain wear parts.
- Vibration: jaw crusher buckets generate low vibration levels; in sensitive environments, prefer splitting technology and shear-based demolition.
Metal content and spark protection
Cut exposed reinforcement before crushing (e.g., with concrete demolition shears or steel shears). A magnet separator at the discharge reduces metal residues. Minimize sparks and provide fire protection measures.
Hydraulics and operation
Regularly check the excavator’s system pressure and flow rate. Clean couplings prevent contamination. Detect and rectify overload indicators early (e.g., rising oil temperatures, reduced throughput).
Maintenance and wear management
Regular inspections extend service life and ensure consistent particle quality. Document wear measurements on crusher jaws and side plates; turn or replace in good time. Lubricate bearings and pins, retighten fasteners, and keep the crushing chamber free of blocking foreign bodies.
Alternative and complementary methods
The choice of method depends on structural analysis, surroundings, and target material.
- Splitting instead of crushing: for vibration-sensitive objects, first loosen with stone and concrete splitters; crush only in a second step.
- Shear-based demolition: concrete demolition shears for selective separation and exposing reinforcement; reduces contaminants in the crusher feed.
- Cutting and separating: combination shears, multi cutters, steel shears, tank cutters for metallic installations; minimizes downtime at the crusher bucket.
Economic considerations and logistics
On-site crushing reduces transport and disposal costs. A coordinated material flow – from shear-based demolition through splitting to the bucket crusher – avoids double handling. The carrier machine’s hydraulic reserves, fuel demand, and the service life of wear parts have a decisive impact on unit costs.
Common issues and practical tips
- Bridging: uneven feeding or pieces that are too large; clear with reverse run, reduce feed size.
- Entangling reinforcement: remove metal content beforehand with concrete demolition shears and steel shears.
- Overheated hydraulics: adjust flow rate, schedule breaks, check the cooling system.
- Oversize fraction too high: check the gap, plan for post-screening, feed more evenly.
- High wear: reduce unsuitable feed fines (sand/silt), choose appropriate jaw material, turn in time.
Standards, recycling rates, and quality requirements
The use of RC construction materials is subject to technical rules and quality levels depending on the region. Reproducible size distributions, low contaminant content, and documented processes are crucial. Structured deconstruction with concrete demolition shears, controlled loosening with stone and concrete splitters, and targeted crushing in the bucket support consistent product quality.
Terminology and distinctions in practice
Jaw crusher buckets work with pressure- and shear-oriented mechanisms and produce angular particle shapes. They differ from other bucket crushers with impact- or cone-based principles. In practice, terms such as crusher bucket are often used synonymously; what is meant is an excavator-operated crushing tool with adjustable gap width for mobile processing.