What GPM does a skid steer screening bucket need?

Most skid steer screening buckets require 15 to 30 GPM of auxiliary hydraulic flow. Standard-flow skid steers typically produce 15 to 22 GPM, which is adequate for many screening buckets. High-flow buckets that require 25+ GPM need a high-flow skid steer or a hydraulic upgrade. Always check the bucket manufacturer's specifications against your machine's auxiliary flow rating before purchasing.

Can I use a screening bucket on a Bobcat?

Yes. Most screening buckets use a universal skid steer quick-attach plate that fits Bobcat and other major skid steer brands. The key factor is not the brand of skid steer but the machine's auxiliary hydraulic flow and lift capacity. Check your specific Bobcat model's specs to make sure the screening bucket you are considering is compatible.

How many yards per hour can a skid steer screening bucket process?

Typical throughput ranges from 10 to 25 cubic yards per hour, depending on material type, moisture content, screen opening size, and operator technique. Dry, free-flowing topsoil screens at the higher end of that range. Wet or clay-heavy material drops production significantly.

Is a screening bucket worth it for a small landscaping business?

For many small landscaping operations, a skid steer screening bucket is one of the best equipment investments available. If you already own a skid steer, you add screening capability for $6,000 to $20,000 instead of $50,000+ for a standalone screener. The screened product sells for $15 to $25 more per cubic yard than raw material, so the bucket can pay for itself within a few months of regular use.

What is the difference between a vibrating screening bucket and a rotary screening bucket?

A vibrating screening bucket uses a hydraulic motor to shake a flat mesh screen. Material falls through the mesh openings as it vibrates. This design is simpler, less expensive, and works well with dry, free-flowing material. A rotary screening bucket uses rotating drums, blades, or star discs to tumble and separate material. Rotary designs handle wet, sticky, and clay-heavy material much better because the rotation is self-cleaning. Rotary buckets cost more but offer greater versatility.

When should I upgrade from a screening bucket to a standalone screener?

When your screening volume consistently exceeds 20 to 25 cubic yards per hour, or when you find yourself screening for more than half of your working day, a standalone screener will improve your productivity and product quality. Screening buckets top out at roughly 150 to 200 cubic yards per full working day. A small shaker screen or trommel can double or triple that output with one operator.

WHAT TYPE OF CRUSHER IS BEST FOR RECYCLING AND ROCK?

What Type of Crusher Is Best? A Complete Guide for Recycling and Rock

Name: Grinder Crusher Screen
Telephone: 770-433-2670

Choosing the right crusher saves you time, money, and maintenance headaches. The wrong one costs you all three.

At GrinderCrusherScreen, we have been selling and supporting crushing equipment since 1973. We deal in jaw crushers, impact crushers, cone crushers, shredders, and screening equipment. This guide covers which crusher type works best for each material and operation size.

We are not going to focus on brand names here. Instead, we will break down four crushing technologies: jaw crushers, impact crushers, cone crushers, and shredders. The right choice depends on what you are crushing and what size product you need.

Best Crusher for Hard Rock

Many rock quarries need a primary crusher that can handle hard rock. We recommend a jaw crusher as the primary unit. A jaw crusher reduces rock down to 3 to 4 inches. From there, a cone crusher works as the secondary crusher to reduce material to the final desired size.

In many setups, operators skip the secondary crusher entirely. They convey material from the primary jaw crusher into a screening plant that separates it into three products.

Not all jaw crushers handle hard rock. Most smaller jaw crushers on the market are built only for concrete, block, and brick. If you need to crush hard rock, confirm the machine is rated for it before you buy.

A Note on Shimming Jaw Crushers

Some operators add shims to a jaw crusher, bringing the jaws closer together (for example, down to 2 inches) to produce a finer product. This can be done, but it carries real risk. You may damage the crusher. Production will drop by roughly half. Your jaw plates will wear out faster. We generally advise against it unless you understand the trade-offs.

Best Crusher for Concrete, Block, and Brick

For concrete, concrete block, and brick, the three main options are shredders, jaw crushers, and impact crushers. Several variables determine which is the best fit: dust concerns, desired product size (finer vs. coarser), and how much rebar is mixed into the material.

Shredders: Our Top Pick

The shredder is our favorite technology for concrete, block, and brick. Here is why:

Accepts larger feed material, which means less prep work.
Handles rebar and contaminants better than any other crusher type.
Produces the least amount of dust.
Easiest to operate day to day.
Can also crush asphalt in hot weather.

If you deal with dirty, contaminated, or rebar-heavy concrete, a shredder is the most forgiving machine you can run.

Jaw Crushers: A Strong Second Choice

Jaw crushers are our second recommendation for concrete and similar materials. They experience slightly less wear than shredders and significantly less wear than impact crushers. Dust output is moderate: more than a shredder but far less than an impact crusher.

Jaw crushers handle concrete, rock, brick, block, and general C&D debris. They do not crush asphalt. The material is too soft and sticky at normal temperatures. Only in below-freezing conditions does asphalt become brittle enough for a jaw crusher, and even then, it is not the right tool for the job.

Impact Crushers: High Production, High Maintenance

Impact crushers produce the most material per hour and deliver the finest reduction of any option. That output comes at a cost.

Impact crushers generate heavy dust. Blow bars need frequent replacement. You need a mechanic available on a regular basis. For smaller operators without a full-time maintenance crew, the upkeep can be a real burden.

If you have full-time mechanics and your material is relatively clean, an impact crusher will outproduce the alternatives. It also handles asphalt at any temperature, which jaw crushers and most shredders cannot.

Best Crusher for Concrete Recycling

Concrete recycling is one of the fastest-growing segments in the crushing industry. Contractors, demolition companies, and municipalities all need to turn old concrete into reusable aggregate. Choosing the right crusher for this work depends on your volume, your material mix, and your budget.

Jaw Crusher vs. Impact Crusher vs. Bucket Crusher for Concrete

Each crusher type brings different strengths to concrete recycling.

Jaw Crushers are the workhorse of concrete recycling. They handle reinforced concrete well, tolerate rebar (with a magnet on the discharge conveyor), and produce a consistent 2 to 4 inch minus product. Maintenance costs stay relatively low. They are a solid choice for small to mid-size operations processing concrete, brick, block, and C&D debris.

Impact Crushers deliver higher production rates and a finer, more uniform product. The crushed concrete comes out closer to spec for road base and fill material. The trade-off is higher wear costs, more dust, and the need for regular blow bar changes. For high-volume concrete recycling, the production advantage often justifies the extra maintenance.

Bucket Crushers attach to an excavator and crush concrete right at the demolition site. They are slower than standalone crushers but eliminate the cost of hauling material to a separate crushing operation. For smaller demolition jobs or tight urban sites, a bucket crusher can make economic sense. They are limited in production capacity compared to jaw or impact units.

Production Rate Ranges by Crusher Type

These are general production ranges. Actual output depends on feed size, material hardness, moisture content, and machine condition.

Small jaw crushers process concrete, block, and brick at roughly 30 to 100 TPH. Mid-size jaw crushers handle concrete, rock, and C&D debris at 80 to 250 TPH. Large jaw crushers handle concrete and hard rock at 200 to 600+ TPH.

Small impact crushers process concrete and asphalt at 50 to 150 TPH. Mid-size impact crushers handle concrete, asphalt, and rock at 100 to 350 TPH.

Bucket crushers process concrete and brick at 10 to 50 TPH. Shredders handle concrete, brick, and dirty material at 20 to 120 TPH.

Jaw crushers handle concrete, rock, brick, block, and C&D debris. Impact crushers handle all of those plus asphalt. Do not feed asphalt into a jaw crusher.

Best Crusher for Asphalt

The most popular crusher for asphalt is the impact crusher. Wear on the machine is significant, but impact crushers yield the highest production on asphalt.

We also like shredders for asphalt. The cost per ton is considerably less than an impact crusher of similar price. Shredders accept larger pieces, which means less prep time before feeding the machine.

There are many shredder manufacturers on the market. For recycling concrete, block, brick, and asphalt, we recommend the CAMS Shredder. It is specifically designed for these materials. The CAMS Shredder handles extremely dirty or even muddy concrete with no issues.

Important: jaw crushers do not crush asphalt. Asphalt is soft and tends to clog a jaw crusher at normal temperatures. Only impact crushers and certain shredders are built for asphalt processing.

How to Match Crusher Size to Your Operation

Buying too much crusher wastes capital. Buying too little kills your production schedule. Here is how to size it right.

Step 1: Know Your Volume

Start with how many tons per day, week, or month you need to process. A small contractor crushing 50 tons per day has very different needs than a recycling yard processing 500 tons per day.

Step 2: Match Feed Size to Crusher Opening

The feed opening of a crusher determines the largest piece of material it can accept. If your concrete slabs are 24 inches across, you need a crusher with a feed opening larger than 24 inches. Otherwise, you spend time and money breaking material down before it even enters the crusher.

Step 3: Consider Mobility

Stationary crushers suit permanent yards and high-volume quarries. Track-mounted crushers work for contractors who move between job sites. Portable (wheeled) crushers fall somewhere in between. Your operation type drives this decision.

Step 4: Factor in Support Equipment

A crusher alone does not make a crushing operation. You likely need a loader or excavator to feed the crusher, a magnet to pull rebar, and screening equipment to sort the final product. Budget for the full system, not just the crusher.

Step 5: Plan for Maintenance Access

Impact crushers need frequent blow bar changes. Jaw crushers need periodic jaw plate replacement. Shredders need hammer or tooth service. Make sure your team can handle the maintenance demands of the crusher you choose.

Brand Comparison: SEBA, Rebel, and Eagle Crusher

We work with equipment from many manufacturers. Here is a general overview of three brands we see frequently.

SEBA Crushers

SEBA builds compact jaw crushers and screening equipment popular with smaller contractors and recyclers. Their machines are track-mounted and designed for easy transport between job sites. SEBA units are known for a relatively small footprint while still delivering solid production on concrete, brick, and block.

Rebel Crushers

Rebel Crusher manufactures impact crushers built for the recycling market. Their machines are popular with operators processing concrete, asphalt, and mixed C&D debris. Rebel units are self-contained and portable, with a focus on ease of operation for smaller crews.

Eagle Crusher

Eagle Crusher is a well-established name in the crushing industry. They offer a range of impact crushers and portable crushing plants. Eagle machines are used in both quarry and recycling applications. They are generally larger units suited for mid to high-volume operations.

Each brand has its strengths. The right choice depends on your material, your production needs, and your budget. Call us at 770-433-2670 and we can help match you with the right machine.

What Affects Crusher Pricing?

Crusher prices vary widely. A small used jaw crusher might cost a fraction of what a large new impact plant costs. Here are the main factors that drive pricing.

New vs. Used

New crushers for sale come with warranties, the latest features, and full manufacturer support. Used crushers cost less upfront but may need wear parts or repairs sooner. We sell both new and used equipment and can help you weigh the trade-offs.

Crusher Type

Jaw crushers tend to have lower purchase prices than impact crushers of similar size. Impact crushers cost more upfront and have higher ongoing wear costs. Cone crushers fall in the mid to upper range. Shredders vary widely depending on the manufacturer and configuration.

Size and Capacity

Larger crushers cost more. A crusher rated for 300 TPH will carry a significantly higher price tag than one rated for 50 TPH. Match the size to your actual needs to avoid overspending.

Mobility

Track-mounted crushers cost more than stationary units of the same capacity. The undercarriage, diesel engine, and remote controls add to the price. Portable (wheeled) units fall between stationary and track-mounted in cost.

Wear Part Costs

The purchase price is only part of the equation. Impact crusher blow bars wear fast, especially on abrasive materials. Jaw plates last longer but still need periodic replacement. Factor in ongoing wear part costs when comparing crusher options.

Condition and Hours (Used Equipment)

For used crushers for sale, the number of hours on the machine, the condition of wear parts, and overall maintenance history all affect price. We help arrange inspections on used equipment so buyers can make informed decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of crusher is best for concrete?

For most concrete recycling operations, a jaw crusher or shredder is the best starting point. Jaw crushers deliver consistent output with lower maintenance than impact crushers. Shredders handle rebar-heavy and contaminated concrete better than any other option. If you need high production and a fine product, an impact crusher is the best performer, but it requires more maintenance and generates more dust.

How much does a concrete crusher cost?

Concrete crusher prices depend on the type, size, condition (new vs. used), and mobility (stationary vs. track-mounted). Small used jaw crushers start at a lower price point, while large new track-mounted impact plants are the most expensive. Contact us at 770-433-2670 for current pricing on specific machines. We carry both new and used crushers for sale across all types and sizes.

Can a jaw crusher crush asphalt?

No. Jaw crushers are not designed for asphalt. Asphalt is soft and sticky at normal temperatures. It clogs the jaw chamber instead of fracturing cleanly. Only impact crushers and certain shredders are built to process asphalt effectively. If your operation involves asphalt, choose an impact crusher or a shredder rated for asphalt, such as the CAMS Shredder.

What is the difference between a jaw crusher and an impact crusher?

A jaw crusher uses two heavy plates to compress and break material. It produces a coarser product and has lower wear costs. An impact crusher throws material against breaker plates at high speed, producing a finer and more uniform product. Impact crushers have higher production rates but wear parts need replacement more often.

Do I need screening equipment with my crusher?

In most cases, yes. A crusher produces a range of product sizes. Screening equipment separates the crushed material into specific size fractions so you can sell or use each product. A crusher paired with a screener gives you a complete processing system.

Let Us Help You Choose the Right Crusher

We have been helping operators choose the right crushing equipment since 1973. Whether you need a small jaw crusher for a demolition contractor or a full impact crushing plant for a busy recycling yard, we can match you with the right machine.

Browse our current inventory of crushers for sale, including jaw crushers, impact crushers, and cone crushers. We also carry screening equipment to complete your operation.

Call us at 770-433-2670 or email Sales@grindercrusherscreen.com. We are happy to answer your questions and help you find the right equipment for your application.