Understanding the working process of a mobile crushing plant is crucial for construction and mining practitioners, as it directly ensures efficient, safe, and cost-effective project operation. For project managers, it aids in optimizing schedules and resolving bottlenecks; for operators, it enables standardized operation to avoid equipment damage and ensure safety. For investors, it provides a basis for selecting suitable models, preventing resource waste. Below, we will elaborate on the complete working process of a mobile crushing plant and the mechanical components involved in it.
A typical mobile crushing plant operates in a sequential and coordinated manner, covering four core stages: feeding, primary crushing, secondary crushing (or shaping), and screening. Each stage relies on specialized mechanical components to ensure the smooth conversion of raw materials into qualified finished products. Let’s break down the process and the key machinery involved step by step.
The first stage is feeding, which is the starting point of the entire workflow. Raw materials (such as limestone, granite, or construction waste) are transported to the mobile crushing plant by loaders or dump trucks and then fed into the feeding hopper. The key equipment here is the vibrating feeder, which controls the feeding speed evenly to avoid overloading the crusher and ensure stable subsequent processing. The vibrating feeder also has a preliminary screening function, removing small-sized impurities or fine materials in advance to reduce the burden on the crusher.
Next is the primary crushing stage, where large raw materials (with particle sizes up to several hundred millimeters) are crushed into smaller particles. The core equipment here is the primary crusher, which is usually a jaw crusher or an impact crusher. Jaw crushers are preferred for hard and abrasive materials due to their strong crushing force and wear resistance, while impact crushers are suitable for brittle materials and can achieve better particle shape. During this stage, the crusher’s movable jaw (for jaw crushers) or rotor (for impact crushers) exerts force on the raw materials, breaking them down to a particle size that can enter the next processing stage.
After primary crushing, the materials enter the secondary crushing or shaping stage to meet the required particle size and shape of the finished product. Common equipment in this stage includes cone crushers, impact crushers, or vertical shaft impact crushers (VSI crushers). Cone crushers are ideal for fine crushing of hard materials, ensuring high crushing efficiency and uniform particle size. Impact crushers and VSI crushers, on the other hand, are more focused on shaping, making the finished product with better cubicity, which is suitable for high-demand scenarios such as highway pavement aggregate production. The crushed materials in this stage will be sent to the screening system for classification.
The final stage of the workflow is screening and grading. The vibrating screen is the core equipment here, which separates the crushed materials into different particle size grades according to the project requirements. Qualified finished products (e.g., 0-5mm, 5-10mm, 10-20mm) will be transported to the finished product pile by the conveyor belt, while unqualified materials (too large particles) will be returned to the secondary crusher for re-crushing through the return conveyor, forming a closed-loop processing system. This closed-loop design ensures that all materials meet the quality standards and minimizes material waste.
In addition to the above core equipment, a mobile crushing plant also relies on auxiliary components such as conveyor belts (for material transportation between different stages), hydraulic systems (for adjusting the crusher’s discharge port and equipment lifting), and electrical control systems (for overall operation control). These components work together to ensure the continuous and stable operation of the entire crushing process.
Mastering the complete working process and key machinery of a mobile crushing plant lays a solid foundation for efficient and standardized operation. However, to ensure the long-term stable performance of the equipment, extend its service life, and maximize the return on investment, scientific daily maintenance after each operation cycle and proper relocation operations when the project is completed are equally crucial. These two links directly affect the equipment’s failure rate and utilization efficiency. Next, we will provide a detailed essential guide for daily maintenance and relocation operations.
Daily maintenance after each work shift is a fundamental measure to prevent equipment wear and potential failures, and it should be implemented in a standardized, step-by-step manner:
Use high-pressure water guns or air compressors to remove residual materials, dust, and debris from the crusher cavity, vibrating screen, conveyor belt, and feeding hopper. This prevents material caking, corrosion, or blockages that could affect the next operation cycle.
Focus on checking the wear status of vulnerable parts (crusher liners, impact plates, screen meshes)—replace them promptly if wear exceeds the limit to ensure crushing efficiency and product quality. Meanwhile, inspect the tightness of all bolts and fasteners; loose components may cause violent vibration during operation, leading to equipment damage. Additionally, check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or structural deformities in key components.
According to the equipment manual, check the oil level, oil quality, and oil leakage of the hydraulic system, gearbox, and bearings. Replenish or replace lubricating oil on schedule to reduce friction between moving parts, prevent overheating, and extend component service life.
Fourth, electrical system inspection. Examine the wiring, connectors, and control panel for looseness, damage, or water ingress. Deal with any abnormalities immediately to avoid electrical malfunctions or safety hazards during subsequent operation.
Unlike fixed crushing equipment, mobile crushing plants are equipped with built-in wheel chassis or crawler chassis, which greatly simplifies relocation operations. To ensure safe and efficient transition while protecting the equipment’s mobile system, follow these standardized steps tailored to its mobile characteristics:
First, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the entire equipment, with a focus on the built-in mobile system—check the tire pressure (for wheel chassis) or crawler tension (for crawler chassis), as well as the performance of the hydraulic driving system and steering system to ensure they are in normal working condition. Then, retract or disassemble detachable components that may affect movement, such as extended conveyor belts, feeding hoppers, or auxiliary support legs. Fold the main body of the equipment (e.g., folding the boom or crushing chamber) according to the manual to reduce the overall size and avoid collisions during movement. Finally, clean the equipment thoroughly to remove residual materials and debris, especially from the chassis and moving parts, to prevent abrasion or blockage.
For short-distance relocation within the construction site (e.g., moving from one crushing area to another), the mobile crushing plant can rely on its own chassis to move directly. Before moving, clear the route of obstacles, check the load-bearing capacity and flatness of the road surface—for crawler chassis, it can adapt to uneven terrain such as mud or gravel roads; for wheel chassis, avoid rough roads to prevent tire damage. Operate the equipment’s control system to move at a low and steady speed, and assign personnel to guide the movement to avoid collisions with on-site facilities or other equipment.
If the next project site is far away and direct movement is not feasible, auxiliary transportation is required. First, use the equipment’s own mobile system to drive it slowly onto a low-bed semi-trailer (no need for complex hoisting of the entire main body). Then, firmly fix the equipment’s main body on the trailer with steel wire ropes or fixing brackets to prevent sliding during long-distance transportation. For the disassembled auxiliary components (conveyor belts, feeding hoppers), pack them separately in protective boxes and place them safely on the trailer. Meanwhile, protect the mobile chassis (tires/crawlers) with anti-collision pads to avoid damage during transit.
Upon arrival at the new site, first use the built-in mobile system to drive the equipment off the trailer (if long-distance transported) and move it to the pre-selected placement area. Adjust the equipment to a horizontal position with the auxiliary support legs to ensure stable operation. Reinstall the disassembled auxiliary components in sequence, connect the electrical and hydraulic systems, and conduct a comprehensive trial run. During the trial run, not only check the normal operation of the crushing system but also verify the performance of the mobile chassis again to ensure it is not affected by the relocation. Only after confirming that all systems operate normally, with smooth material conveying and no abnormal noises or oil leaks, can formal operation begin.
These maintenance and relocation tips work because mobile crushing plants are designed for practicality. Beyond being easy to maintain and move, they also have unique advantages that solve the problems you face with traditional fixed equipment. Let’s talk about these core advantages—they’re why so many projects choose mobile crushing plants.
Mobile crushing plants are a top choice for construction and mining projects because they offer four key benefits that make your work easier: flexible mobility, efficient continuity, convenient operation, and multi-scenario adaptability. Each advantage is designed to address real pain points, helping you save time and money.
The biggest advantage of mobile crushing plants is their flexibility—all thanks to the built-in wheel or crawler chassis. Unlike fixed equipment (which needs expensive foundation work and can’t be moved), you can take a mobile plant anywhere on-site. Wheel chassis models move quickly on flat roads, while crawler chassis handles rough terrain like mud, gravel, or slopes with ease. This means you can move the plant close to the raw material source or follow construction progress, cutting down on material transport distance and costs. No more wasting time and money hauling rocks long distances!
Mobile crushing plants are integrated—they combine feeding, crushing, screening, and conveying into one unit. Every system works together seamlessly to form a closed-loop production line, so you can process materials continuously. The vibrating feeder keeps feeding steady (no overloads or idle time), and the closed-loop screening system re-crushes unqualified materials (no waste). Compared to split-type fixed equipment (which needs complex assembly and often has coordination issues), mobile plants stay productive longer, keeping your project on track.
Modern mobile crushing plants are designed with you in mind—most use intelligent centralized control. You can start, stop, and adjust parameters all from the control panel, no need to run around coordinating multiple parts. The design is user-friendly too: clear operation marks and simple maintenance interfaces mean you don’t need to be a specialist to run it. Plus, setup is fast—after arriving on-site, a quick debug is all you need to start crushing. No more long assembly times like fixed equipment, so you can start producing sooner.
Mobile crushing plants work in almost any scenario, whether you’re producing aggregate, recycling construction waste, mining, or building highways/railways. They can handle different materials (limestone, granite, coal gangue, etc.) by swapping out crushers (jaw, impact, or cone crushers). And there are models for every project size—from small mini plants to large high-output ones. No matter if you’re working on a big open-pit mine or a small urban construction waste project, you can find a mobile plant that fits your needs perfectly.
Now that you know the advantages of mobile crushing plants, you might be wondering: which model is right for my project? Don’t worry—Andamine, as a professional mobile crushing plant manufacturer and strategic partner of Fortune 500 companies, has tailored two core chassis types (wheel and crawler) and multiple models for different project needs. Let’s take a closer look at these options, so you can easily find the one that matches your site and production requirements.
If your project site has flat roads (like urban construction sites, aggregate yards, or highway construction zones), the wheel type mobile crushing plant is your ideal choice. Its biggest advantage is rapid relocation and easy transition—thanks to the tri-axle chassis design, you can move it between working areas quickly without complex preparation. We offer three practical models to cover different production needs:
This model integrates feeding, crushing, screening, and control into one unit, making it perfect for projects that need flexible workflow adjustment. What makes it stand out for you? Here are its core advantages:
Combining crusher (jaw or impact), feeder, and screener in one unit, this model is designed for medium-scale production with high efficiency and environmental protection. It inherits the convenient features of the APY4-S, plus these practical upgrades for your peace of mind:
If you only need a single crushing function, our standalone models are more cost-effective choices. Each model is tailored for specific crushing stages, with clear application scenarios:
For projects in rural areas, mines, or mountainous regions with uneven, muddy, or gravel-covered terrain, the crawler type mobile crushing plant is your reliable partner. Its crawler chassis has strong off-road performance and large ground contact area, allowing it to move smoothly on harsh terrain without getting stuck. We offer four core models covering crushing, screening, and sand making, to meet your full-process needs:
These models are built for durability and stability in tough conditions, with each type targeting different crushing needs:
For projects that only require screening or sand making functions, we also provide dedicated crawler-type equipment, which maintains strong terrain adaptability while focusing on professional performance:
APYL-3816S screening machine: Offers high-precision grading of finished products, effectively separating materials of different particle sizes to meet diverse project requirements.
All crawler models are designed with easy operation and maintenance in mind, so you can keep production steady even in remote areas.
In addition to the above content, we’ve sorted out the most common questions our customers ask about mobile crushing plant operation. These answers are tailored to your actual project needs, helping you avoid detours during use.
Key tip: Replace immediately if parts are obviously worn or cracked. High-quality parts extend service life.
If you have other questions, contact Andamine professional team. We’ll provide customized answers based on your project conditions.
Still have questions about how a mobile crushing plant works, or which model is best for your specific project? Feel free to reach out to us! Andamine’s professional project managers are ready to answer all your questions about our equipment. As a trusted partner of Fortune 500 companies, we’re committed to providing you with tailored solutions. Just send us your project details, and we’ll help you find the perfect mobile crushing plant.