Bell Jaw Crushers – Their Operation and Some Common Applications
Almost all mining and ore-processing operations are dependent upon some means by which to reduce large rocks to smaller particles of a size more suitable for any further processing that may be required to be carried out. The equipment designed for this purpose varies quite widely in size. The relatively compact models are used to mill gold ore particles in the millimetre range, and reduce them to a fine dust with a particle size measured in microns, while the much larger, mobile models, mounted on caterpillar tracks and complete with integral conveyers, are commonly used in open-pit mines. Given the need for more conservative building practices, these machines have found a further important role within the construction field where they are now being used to recycle used concrete.
One of several types of machines that perform a similar function but employ differing principles are the so-called jaw crushers manufactured by Bell. They are widely known within the mining, quarrying, demolition and recycling sectors both for the exceptional strength of their construction and the long-term reliability of their performance in the often very harsh conditions presented by the environments in which they are required to operate. The performance requirements for these and other forms of crushing machine are determined largely by the relative hardness and the state of the material to be broken up along with the desired size of the processed material upon completion.
This type of machine makes use of the compressive force generated in a V-shaped cavity that is formed by one static and one mobile surface. The latter acts to successively widen and then narrow the cavity by moving the mobile surface much like a jaw and explains the rather apt name given to these tough mechanical crushers from the Bell equipment company. As the larger particles are broken up, they travel deeper into the wedge-shaped cavity where further compressions act to render them even smaller. The process will continue to the point where the particles become small enough to pass through an adjustable exit gap that has been set to the required particle size. In use, the material for crushing is loaded into a hopper located above the jaw mechanism, while the finished product is discharged via an adjustable conveyer and either loaded on to trucks for transportation or stored in piles for local use.
Typically, Bell jaw crushers are characterised by their high capacity and large reduction ratios and are suitable for the treatment of most materials with a soft to very hard composition. They perform best when handling loads that are dry to slightly wet. Most commonly, they are viewed as the machine of choice for use in heavy mining operations, for handling quarried materials, sand and gravel and for the recycling of used concrete.
The brand is well represented in South Africa by Kanu Equipment. Based in Isando, the company is part of Torre Industries and a leading supplier of specialised heavy equipment for the handling and transportation of materials within the agricultural, forestry, construction and mining sectors. We offer an extensive range of equipment from the industry’s leading manufacturers, backing our sales with professional services and support for all products including, of course, Bell jaw crushers.
