From horizontal shaft impactors to jaw crushers, Eagle Crusher manufactures some of the toughest and most powerful crushing equipment on the market, empowering producers to conquer any size crushing project.  

Not only that, but Eagle Crusher’s team of engineers continue to innovate our comprehensive line of crushing and screening products, working alongside customers, to design crushing equipment that solves pertinent challenges in today’s crushing industry.  

On December 3rd, Eagle Crusher announced the four pieces of equipment that will be on display at their Booth 31414 at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: the 1400-45OC, the E-Plant®, and the brand new TalonTRAX™ and TalonSTACK™.  

Primary Features of the UltraMax® 1400-45OC 

Discharge material feeds to a separate conveyor coming out of the side of the crusher at a 90-degree angle. Totally self-contained, reliable diesel/ electric or all-electric power. You won’t have to worry about hydraulic leaks and failures shutting you down. 

Available in-line electro-magnet on side-discharge conveyor. Hydraulic lift and leveling system enables quick set up and tear down by using the hydraulic run-on legs. 

Features the industry’s first LIFETIME ROTOR WARRANTY on its solid-steel, three-bar, sculptured rotor—the industry’s heaviest—to keep you up and crushing. (North America only.) 

Additional Features 

The 1400-45OC replaces dual crusher systems for a much lower initial investment and for greatly reduced maintenance, fuel and transportation costs. It features a unique two-step, 5’ grizzly deck to remove fines before crushing. Standard grizzly bypass chute and available cross-belt conveyor with flop gate to allow for either removal of the material that passes through the grizzly deck for stockpiling or blending back with the crushed material. 

Want More information? 

For more information about the Eagle Crusher UltraMax® 1400-45OC, you can find more additional features and find the spec sheet here. You can also contact Eagle Crusher to speak with a Team Eagle representative, or an authorized dealer, who will be happy to share further details.  

Additionally, you can see the UltraMax® 1400-45OC, E-Plant®Triple-Deck, and TalonTRAX™, at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, March 3-7, 2026. Eagle Crusher is still offering discounts for badges, hotels, and flights using this link. Remember, the sooner you book, the bigger the discount. 

We look forward to seeing you at CONEXPO-CON/AGG at Booth 31414. 

The post Everything You Need to Know About the UltraMax® 1400-45OC  appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

From horizontal shaft impactors to jaw crushers, Eagle Crusher manufactures some of the toughest and most powerful crushing equipment on the market, empowering producers to conquer any size crushing project.  

Not only that, but Eagle Crusher’s team of engineers continue to innovate our comprehensive line of crushing and screening products, working alongside customers, to design crushing equipment that solves pertinent challenges in today’s crushing industry.  

On December 3rd, Eagle Crusher announced the four pieces of equipment that will be on display at their Booth 31414 at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: the 1400-45OC, the E-Plant®, and the brand new TalonTRAX™ and TalonSTACK™.  

Primary Features of the E-Plant®

The revolutionary E-Plant® is the industry’s only true high production triple-deck screening/crushing system on one chassis—transportable in one pull—for the aggregate, asphalt, and recycling industries. 

The E-Plant® tows in one pull. (Jeep available where required. Check with your DOT.) It holds a triple-deck screening/crushing system that enables processing of up to five products (including three spec products) at one time. 

Reversible cross conveyor enables return of two decks back to increase production well beyond 40 percent, compared to our industry-leading UltraMax® 1200-25 CC, with no increase in wear and maintenance costs. 

It also allows for an optional, easy-on, easy-off electromagnet assembly. 

The E-Plant® features the industry’s first LIFETIME ROTOR WARRANTY on its solid-steel, three-bar, sculptured rotor—the industry’s heaviest—to keep you up and crushing. (North America only.) 

Additional Features 

The control panel has interlocked controls with breakers for motor protection. The E-Plant® replaces Jaw/Cone/Screen multi-unit systems for a much lower initial investment while maintaining a high production of cubical spec product. Greatly reduces maintenance and fuel costs and is easily transported. 

Want More Information? 

For more information about the Eagle Crusher E-Plant® Triple-Deck, you can find more additional features and find the spec sheet here. You can also contact Eagle Crusher to speak with a Team Eagle representative, or an authorized dealer, who will be happy to share further details.  

Additionally, you can see the E-Plant®, along with the UltraMax® 1400-45OC and TalonTRAX™, at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, March 3-7, 2026. Eagle Crusher is still offering discounts for badges, hotels, and flights using this link. Remember, the sooner you book, the bigger the discount. 

We look forward to seeing you at CONEXPO-CON/AGG at Booth 31414. 

The post Everything You Need to Know about the E-Plant appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

In the world of construction, aggregates, and material recycling, equipment reliability is everything. When a machine goes down, production stops, deadlines slip, and costs rise. It’s easy to assume every issue is major or expensive, but the truth is that many common heavy equipment problems have simple solutions if you know what to look for. Many times, if you catch and address issues when they are small, you can prevent them from becoming major issues that require extended down time. Understanding the difference between a major breakdown and a minor maintenance fix can save your team time, money, and unnecessary headaches. Today, let’s learn with Eagle Crusher Service Technician, Louis, about the common causes and solutions to abnormal vibrations that come from your machines. 

Common Causes of Abnormal Crusher Vibrations 

• Feeding Issues: Oversized materials and uneven feeding can cause abnormal vibrations. 

• Improper Wear and Tear: Impactor Plates, Jaw Dies, and Blow Bars in Impact Crushers, are going to wear, but uneven wear on the liners can cause abnormal vibrations. Additionally, bearings that are worn can overheat and create noise. 

• Loose Components: After hours of usage, bearings, shafts, fasteners, and more can become loose. 

• Misalignment: The imbalanced rotor can cause material buildup and uneven wear. Fluid couplings being misaligned can cause failure in the bearings, seals, and the coupling itself. 

Common Solutions of Abnormal Crusher Vibrations 

• Feeding Issues: While the machines will react to the addition of feed materials, it’s important to not add oversized materials and to evenly space out your feed loading. You can reach out to the manufacturer, or the owner’s manual, for recommendations on feed size and timing.  

• Improper Wear and Tear: Add regular inspections to your schedule. The faster you can catch improper wear and tear, the less down time you will have in replacing the wear plates. 

• Loose Components: After completing your regular inspections, make sure to tighten or replace any components. 

• Misalignment: Clean any build up in the impactor or jaw crusher and replace wear parts in sets. An uneven replacement could cause more issues. 
• Lubrication: During your regular inspection, make sure all items, such as hydraulic lines and bearings, are properly lubricated. 

Preventative Maintenance is the Key 

When equipment is maintained regularly, troubleshooting becomes faster and more accurate. Routine inspections help catch the simple problems before they escalate into costly downtime. Proper lubrication, timely filter changes, and a regular system check all reduce the chance of a small issue turning into a major failure. 

If you’re unsure what to include in your routine maintenance, check out the variety of places you have at your disposal: 

• Owner’s Manual 

• Authorized Dealer 

• Check out the list of Eagle Crusher’s Authorized Dealers

• Manufacturer 

• Reach out to Eagle Crusher’s Service Team

Learning from the Professionals 

While many equipment issues are simple, some problems truly require a trained technician. If you’ve worked through the basic checks and the machine is still malfunctioning, a deeper issue may be at play. The key is to start with the easy fixes first before assuming the worst because heavy equipment issues are inevitable, but they aren’t always a sign of catastrophic failure.  

With a little knowledge, a keen eye, and a structured approach to troubleshooting, many problems can be resolved by you, quickly and affordably. Understanding the difference between a major breakdown and a simple fix empowers your operators, minimizes downtime, and keeps your equipment working hard on the jobsite. 

The post Abnormal Crusher Vibrations  appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

Eagle Crusher will be unveiling its new Talon™ line of heavy-duty crushing and stockpiling equipment for recycling applications at CONEXPO-CON/AGG March 3-7 in Las Vegas at the Eagle Crusher Booth #C31414.

On display will be the new TalonTrax™ mobile crushing plant and the new TalonStack™ mobile stockpiling conveyor, along with the next generation UltraMax® 1400-OC crushing and screening plant and a current-model, triple-deck E-Plant®.

The TalonTrax has been designed for ultra-mobile crushing without sacrificing power or production on the job site. At the heart of the TalonTrax, is Eagle Crusher’s new TalonMax™ (TM-15) impactor, featuring an open-rotor design that reduces weight while still providing the same crushing capabilities for which Eagle Crusher equipment is known. The impactor also features a new, thicker blowbar design to increase overall wear life.

The TalonTrax plant is a dual power plant that can be powered by the onboard diesel engine or switched to external power from a genset or line power. The plant also features a dual-motor, under-crusher pan feeder with industry-leading discharge clearance in excess of 23” to enable greater material flow and virtually eliminate clogging; and an easily removable discharge conveyor that allows for quick access to under-crusher area, as well as to the discharge conveyor itself, for inspection, maintenance, and cleaning of both.

TalonTrax comes equipped with a cross-belt, permanent magnet that removes steel contaminants from crushed material. The magnet is reversible to allow steel discharge from either side and stays on for transport.

Additionally, the TalonTrax features a heavy-duty hopper-construction sized for feeding with a loader or excavator and a grizzly bypass chute and cross conveyor with flop gate allowing for

either removal of the material that passes through the grizzly deck for stockpiling or blending back with the crushed material.

The new TalonStack self-propelled, radial stockpiling conveyor has been designed to improve productivity and mobility while minimizing operator costs. On display at CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be the TalonStack 65, with Eagle Crusher offering a wide range of TalonStack sizes.

Also, on display at the show, the next generation UltraMax 1400-OC portable impactor plant is one of the most versatile crushing and screening plants for larger jobs. Discharge material feeds to a separate conveyor coming out of the side of the crusher at a 90-degree angle and will be displayed with the optional pan feeder. The next generation plant has been designed for simpler maintenance and ease of operation.

Eagle Crusher’s E-Plant, first introduced in 2014, is the industry’s only true high production triple-deck screening/crushing system on one chassis. It transports in one pull, for the aggregate, asphalt, and recycling industries. Featured at the Eagle Crusher booth at CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be the triple-deck E-Plant. E-Plant is also available in a two-deck model.

The post Eagle Crusher Co. Announces Its New Talon Line of Crushing Equipment appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

When it comes to purchasing, renting, and servicing heavy equipment, partnering with an authorized dealer can make all the difference. Authorized dealers are more than just sales outlets, they’re trusted extensions of the manufacturer, equipped with the training, tools, and genuine parts needed to keep your operation running smoothly. Backed by direct factory support, they understand your equipment inside and out, ensuring that every machine meets the same high standards of quality, performance, and reliability set by the manufacturer itself. One such authorized dealer is Horton Supply Company, the Eagle Crusher dealer for Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Southern Illinois.

Who is Horton Supply Company?

Horton Supply Company is a Midwest based supplier of aggregate equipment and supplies. Floyd Horton formed Horton Supply in 1987 with a base of operations in Springfield MO.  Purchased in 2014 by partners Jerry Freitag and Randy & Collin Swift (father/son). Freitag having experience selling aggregate/paving/construction equipment experience and the Swifts bringing experience in production of aggregate materials, the team felt like it could bring the combination of their experience with Mr. Horton’s and really do something special.  After a few years of growing the company by adding support to customers in Oklahoma, Kansas the team purchased Allison Mining Supply based out of Weeping Water, NE.

From left to right: Matt Armstrong of Horton, Jerry Freitag of Horton, John Gilligan of Bruce Davis Construction, James Chelski of Eagle Crusher Service, Louis Fitzpatrick of Eagle Crusher Service, and Pat Meara of Eagle Crusher.

Featuring: Eagle Crusher 1400-45OC

Horton Starts Working With Eagle Crusher

The footprint was set, and the timing was right when Eagle approached us about being a dealer.  Pat Meara, our district manager, and Jerry worked together at another dealership where Jerry had the opportunity to sell Eagle Crusher products in the past, so he knew the quality of the product and the production capabilities.  Randy and Collin had owned and operated the product and had nothing but great experience with it, so the decision to sign on with Eagle was a no-brainer.

“When I went to the factory before signing on the contract and got to meet the owner Suzanne, Mike Tinkey, Greg Spina, Tom Cole and Bill Compton it was clear the company was ready to move with a dealership that was ready to move. And when you see some of the best people from the ownership, sales, engineering and service it really was exciting to get going,” says Jerry Freitag.

Crushing the Way to the Future with Eagle Crusher

Eagle Crusher has been the foundation of everything we have built off of as an equipment supplier.  Horton rolled up their sleeves and did the work, and Eagle Crusher stayed right behind them with support.  “It was exactly what we expected from our equipment suppliers. Starting off, our equipment division was a source of stress, so knowing that, Eagle Crusher helped us get that strong start that was crucial to our success and our continued growth.”

From left to right: Kevin Thomas of Kevin Thomas Crushing and Jerry Freitag of Horton Supply Company

Featuring: Eagle Crusher E-Plant

Growing Their Business

Since then, Horton has signed on with more equipment suppliers rounding out their product offering, now offering Compression and Impact Crushing equipment, Screening equipment, along with conveyors and bins. They have multiple options to offer, from small to large production jobs, to working with contractors, recycle, and quarry producers.

“The Eagle Crusher 1200-25CC and the 1400-45OC plants have been some of the best performing crushers we have had the privilege to sell to our customers and really are products we know that will simply just get the job done for a wide range of operations.”

Working with Your Area’s Authorized Dealer

Choosing an authorized dealer means choosing confidence, consistency, and long-term value for your investment. From expert service and genuine replacement parts to in-depth product knowledge and factory-backed warranties, these partnerships ensure that your equipment continues to perform at its best. When you work with an authorized dealer, such as Horton Supply Company, you’re not just buying a machine, you’re gaining an additional team that’s committed to your success every step of the way.

The post Meet Your Authorized Dealer: Horton Supply Company appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

Working on and operating rock crushing equipment requires more than just skill, it demands the right tools for the job. From heavy-duty wrenches and torque tools for maintenance to gauges, diagnostic devices, and safety gear for daily operation, every tool plays a critical role in keeping your crusher running smoothly and safely. Understanding what’s needed and how to use each piece properly can mean the difference between efficient production and costly downtime. Eagle Crusher Service Technician James will run down some of the common tools needed for Eagle Crusher equipment. As always, make sure you lock out/tag out whenever you are performing maintenance on your rock crushing equipment and to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hardhats, safety glasses, steel toe boots, ear plugs, high-vis clothing, sunscreen, and more.

Impactor Supplies

• Socket/Wrench
• Allen Wrench
• Torque ratchet
• Basic glue gun with glue sticks
• Roll of paper towels to protect Allen head
• Hammer
• Pry bar

For information on how to flip your blow bars, check out this previous Service Questions.

Supplies for Adjusting Conveyors on Eagle Crusher Equipment

• Socket
• • When adjusting take-ups, we recommend using a ratchet instead of an impact, so the threads do not get stripped on the take-up
• Tape measure
• Hammer

Feeder/Hopper Supplies

• Socket/Wrench
• Alignment pins
• Pry bar
• Hammer

Supplies for Screens

• Socket
• Ratchet Wrench
• Pry bar
• Alignment pin
• Hammer

Supplies for Grease Lines

• Deep well socket
• Wrenches

General Tools Needed to Work on a Rock Crusher

• Sockets
• Wrenchs
• Impact
• Torque wrench
• Vise grips
• Channel locks
• Side cuts
• Hammers/Dead blow
• Screwdrivers
  • flat head/ Philips
  • insulated screw drivers for electrical work
• Come along
• Allen sockets
  • normal Allen wrenches will work as well
• Bar wedges
• Glue gun with glue sticks
• Alignments pins
• Pry bars
• Grease guns
• Level
• Meter for electrical trouble shooting
• Safety Supplies
  • Lock out Tag out kit
  • First aid kit

Having the Proper Equipment

Having the proper tools on hand ensures your team can work confidently, efficiently, and safely, no matter the size or type of crushing system you run. Taking the time to equip your operation with the right maintenance and operational tools is an investment in performance and longevity. When your tools and your team work in sync, your crusher can deliver the reliability and results your business depends on.

Eagle Crusher’s Service Team is another tool that is always available to you. If you have questions about general maintenance, check out our previous Service Questions. For more information, reach out to our Service team.

The post Tools Needed to Work on Your Rock Crusher appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

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The rock crushing industry has a long and rugged history, filled with innovation, hard work, and the drive to meet the growing demands of construction and mining. At the core of this history lies not just machines, but the generations of families who turned ideas into durable equipment designed to stand the test of time.

The Creation of Eagle Crusher Company

It all began in the early 1900s with one man’s vision, that of C.L. Woods, an Ohio distributor of Eagle Tractors. Woods observed that farmers were taking the cobblestones from their fields and placing them along the dirt roadsides.

When the company didn’t share Woods’ vision of putting jaw crushers on the front of tractors, he founded his own company to manufacture the jaw crusher he had imagined. Thus, in 1915, in Kenton, Ohio, Eagle Crusher Company was born.

While Eagle Tractors eventually ceased production, Eagle Crusher Company continued to innovate and expand. To help with further expansion, Woods sold a share of Eagle Crusher to Ralph Cobey and then the rest of the shares at Woods’ retirement in 1952.

For a more in-depth version of Eagle Crusher’s history, please visit the history page.

Eagle Crusher Under Cobey Management

Ralph Cobey recruited his daughter, Susanne Cobey in 1974, becoming the company’s tenth employee, to handle the parts sales. She sought a new direction for Eagle Crusher. Susanne knew of the frustration customers were having processing asphalt and concrete with rebar with the traditional aggregate jaw and cone. She determined that the Horizontal Shaft Impactor (HSI), which was developed after WW II to process debris, was the answer. Susanne concluded that only one HSI style suited the US market. With that impactor, Eagle built the first US commercial recycling plant, Eagle’s Jumbo 1400, in 1984, and a new industry was born.

Learn more about Susanne here.

The Families That Build Eagle Crusher

What makes this history so unique is how family has remained at the center of operations, in both the written and unwritten history of Eagle Crusher. On the outside, leadership was passed from parent to child, creating that sense of family values, but to the employees, the company was writing its own internal history. With employees often being treated like family, many actual families worked decades alongside one another.

Benny Lynn Jr started on July 26, 1995, as a machinist. “Eagle is the best place I’ve worked. I’ve worked at five different places in my life, and this is the best place.”  Benny has such a tremendous amount of pride in working at Eagle Crusher that he still carries his first paystub with him every day. That pride has been shared with his son, Justin. He joined Eagle Crusher immediately after graduating from Pioneer. Throughout his career as a welder, Justin always felt a magnetism to Eagle Crusher, coming back after testing out other positions.

In 1985, Sue was looking for a job now that her youngest had started going to school. She was “hired on the spot” while interviewing for a receptionist position. Throughout her 35 years at Eagle Crusher, she worked in a variety of positions, but not as many as her son, Scott. Fresh out of the army, Sue called Scott notifying him of an open position as a material handler. Throughout his 29 years at Eagle, Scott moved around from material handler to assembly to burn programming to ERP entry to night shift supervisor to day shift assembly supervisor to tech pub, where he currently works. “I never had a reason to leave. [I’ve] always enjoyed the people [at Eagle].” To which Sue agreed, saying “everyone is so friendly, it has felt like one big family.”

This sense of loyalty and care translates directly into the quality of our machines, because when you build with pride and integrity, the result is equipment that customers can rely on.

Creating Your Family Legacy with Eagle Crusher

While technology has advanced and the manufacturing processes have become more sophisticated, the family values that shaped Eagle Crusher continue to guide our operations. Honesty, hard work, and commitment to both employees and customers will always remain at the heart of Eagle Crusher does. In many ways, the rock crushers themselves is a perfect symbol of these values: strong, reliable, and built to last across generations.

The post The History of Eagle Crusher Manufacturing: Built on Family Values appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

When it comes to operating heavy equipment, there’s no substitute for the knowledge of those who designed and built it. A manufacturer’s service team doesn’t just know the machine, they understand its engineering, its limits, and the best practices to keep it running at peak performance. Listening to their advice and taking advantage of equipment-specific training ensures that your team is not only using the machinery correctly but also maximizing its lifespan, efficiency, and safety. 

While these Service Questions blogs are a great start to understanding your equipment, taking advantage of personalized training is the best way to truly know what your specific equipment requires.  

Offered Training 

Here at Eagle Crusher, we offer both onsite training and classroom training at our Headquarters in Galion, Ohio. 

Onsite Trainings 

Onsite training starts with standard classroom training that covers a variety of topics from general safety to plant specific maintenance. These onsite trainings allow you to include as many members of your team as you would like. 

The advantage of the service team coming to your facility is that we can also look over your system to see if we can possibly find any issues that may cause disruptions to your production. It is hands-on training so that you and your team know your plant inside and out. 

Additionally, we will meet your needs in any way possible. This could be by creating training that fits your schedule and needs or in any way that will benefit you. 

Headquarters Trainings 

Headquarters training allows you to connect with other Eagle Crusher equipment owners and learn about equipment safety, operation, and more. These classroom training sessions can be either a one-day event or two-day event depending on your needs. It also allows you to get a custom tour of the manufacturing facility located 15 minutes away in Bucyrus, Ohio to see how equipment like yours is built.  

What Does the Training Cover 

Our Service Department has the knowledge and experience to come to you and talk about safety, proper operation, and fine tuning of your Eagle Crusher units. We can cover items from our combined years of experience on all our units. 

During the classroom training we will cover these items and more, depending on timing and your needs: 

Electrical Panel 

• This includes what the purpose that each component serves in your operation, trouble shooting of electrical issues, and more equipment specific information. 

Plant Operation 

• Training will cover the steps from start to finish 

Plant Safety 

• Keeping your equipment in one piece while also protecting your team 

Plant Specific Preventative Maintenance 

• Such as adjusting belts and curtains 

• Lubrication points  

• More 

Blow Bar Installation and Maintenance 

• Onsite training can include hands-on experience 

Schedule Your Training 

At the end of the day, your equipment is only as effective as the people operating it. By trusting the guidance of the manufacturer’s service experts and investing in training tailored to your machine, you’re protecting your investment, boosting productivity, and fostering a safer work environment. The knowledge gained at those trainings pays dividends for years to come, making training and expert advice one of the smartest moves your team can make. 

If you are interested in scheduling Eagle Crusher Service Training, please contact Service Manager John Griffith at servicedept@eaglecrusher.com. 

The post Training on Your Equipment’s Operation and Safety  appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

It’s easy to stay on top of it with these three easy steps:

1. Badge Registration

This might seem like a trivial step, but it’s better to mark that task off now. You’ll want to register for your badges before the new year. Even with Eagle Crusher’s discount code, the prices will increase certain dates, so get your badges now!

For a more detailed description of Eagle Crusher’s discount code, see this page.

2. Hotel Room(s)

You definitely do not want to wait until the last minute to secure your hotel room. With CONEXPO-CON/AGG being the largest construction expo in North America, you can bet that the hotels will be booked. Once you’ve registered for your badge, you’ll have access to deeply discounted hotels room across Las Vegas.

Check out the Hotel Rates & Availability Tool for more information and discounts.

3. Flights

The further in advance the book your flights, the lower the prices might be. The registration also includes discount codes for flights.

• For Delta, you can use the promo code NM4NU for 8% off flights from February 26th to March 12th, 2026.

• For Southwest, you can use the link for 3% off flights plus 15% bonus Rapid Points from February 28th to March 10th, 2026.

While you still have time to map out your at-show plans, it never hurts to start your research into the than 1,900 companies exhibiting at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Companies, such as Eagle Crusher, have their information up on CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s exhibitor directory. There will be a lot to see but feel like not enough time to do so, which is why planning your show in advance is critical.

To stay updated on more CONEXPO-CON/AGG planning and the equipment that is leading the industry, join Eagle’s newsletter.

The post Preparing for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 with Discounts appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

Galion, Ohio, April 15, 2025 — Eagle Crusher Co., Inc. is proud to announce West Side Tractor as its new distributor for the state of Iowa, representing the full line of Eagle Crusher heavy-duty crushing and screening equipment for the recycled concrete, asphalt, aggregate, and sand and gravel industries.

Headquartered in Lisle, Ill., West Side Tractor is also the authorized Eagle Crusher distributor for Northern Ill. and the state of Wis. West Side Tractor adds Eagle Crusher to its current Iowa product offering, including the Eagle Crusher line of heavy-duty impact crushers, portable crushing and screening plants, jaw crushers, and hammermills.

Across 11 full-service facilities, West Side Tractor is a one-stop powerhouse for new, used, and rental equipment, parts, service, and the latest in machine technology. Tom Benck, West Side Tractor EVP and head of the Quarry and Aggregates Division, stated, “From job sites to service bays, the company brings expertise, heart, and a commitment to helping customers tackle their biggest challenges.”

Benck continued, “Our customers have access to almost 6 decades’ worth of accumulated knowledge and experience, but the most valuable thing they get is an entire team of people who are passionately dedicated to being there for them, committed to identifying potential problems before they become real problems.” He explained, “Our team goes out of their way to find solutions to customers’ toughest challenges, a team who is serious, with a single-minded resolve to do whatever it takes to get customers’ problems solved fast.”

West Side Tractor, founded in 1962 on Chicago’s west side, is a third-generation family business fueled by grit, innovation, and a passion for heavy machinery. Today, five active members of the Benck family, alongside a team of over 300 dedicated employees, proudly continue the company’s legacy of keeping the Midwest’s toughest construction projects on track. Learn more.

Eagle Crusher Co. has been an industry leader for more than 100 years in the manufacture of high-quality crushing and screening equipment. Eagle innovated the first, solid-steel, three-bar rotor and lifetime rotor replacement warranty (North America only), developed the structural steel-frame jaw crusher, and pioneered high volume portable crushing equipment for the construction-and-demolition debris recycling industry. View full product line.

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The post EAGLE CRUSHER CO. NAMES NEW IOWA CRUSHING AND SCREENING EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTOR appeared first on Eagle Crusher.

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are becoming an essential component in modern rock crushing operations, offering improved control, efficiency, and protection for your equipment. By precisely regulating motor speed and torque, VFDs help reduce mechanical stress, optimize energy usage, and adapt crusher performance to varying feed conditions. But beyond their operational benefits, understanding how your VFD functions, and the early signs of potential issues, is key to implementing effective preventative maintenance. A well-monitored VFD can extend the lifespan of your crusher, minimize costly downtime, and ensure consistent production output.

Where are VFDs Usually Found on Rock Crushers

VFDs are used on rock crushers and are usually found controlling the feeder speed to offer adjustability to target a nominal material feeding into the crusher. They can also be found on closed circuit plants controlling the return conveyor. Offering a speed adjustment on a return conveyor via potentiometer (speed pot) allowing you to speed up or slow down the conveyor to ensure proper loading and conveying of the product. VFD controllers are usually found in the main control panel.

VFD Faults and Alarms

A VDF fault is an error detected by the drive that indicates something is preventing it from operating correctly. When a VFD fault occurs, it will have a fault code associated with it to lead you to potential errors. Faults can occur from both mechanical issues and electrical issues but may not always occur together.

During a VFD fault, it may open the circuit and de-energize the motor it relates to. Once you read the fault code, the associated fault with the code can be found in the manufacturer’s operating manual. The VFD operating manuals will offer possible causes of the fault, helping you to find the issue and resolve it quickly.

VFDs can also present alarms, which are different from faults. Depending on the way the VFD is configured, an alarm may have a code associated with it but may not enter a shutdown condition.

An image of the VFD controller where the code will display.

Common VFD Faults

One of the most common VFD faults seen is output overcurrent. This fault is often found associated with either the acceleration time being programmed too short or the feeder could be rubbing the hopper. If a feeder is rubbing against the hopper, it can cause an excessive amp to draw on the feeder motor and in turn enter a fault condition to protect the motor.

An example of a poorly maintained VFD and control panel.

Maintaining Your VFD

When it comes to the maintenance of any VFD, you will first need to lockout/tagout the main control panel and wait at least 5 minutes for the stored electrical energy to dissipate before performing any maintenance task.

Some general maintenance items would include:

• Inspecting the cooling fans to ensure there is no dirt buildup
  • Dirt buildup can damage the cooling system, leading to catastrophic VFD failure.
  • When it comes to the cooling system, there are fan change intervals, and you will need to refer to the specific VFD manufacturers’ guidelines found in their manual.
  • Dirt buildup can be reduced by keeping your control doors shut other than when performing maintenance.
• VFD’s can be damaged by vibration
  • It’s best to remove the main control panel from the plant before you start crushing.

Always refer to your operator’s manual for your equipment’s specific maintenance needs and requirements.

Knowing Who’s Got Your Back

When you understand the role your VFD plays and incorporate it into your preventative maintenance program, you’re not just protecting a single component, you’re safeguarding your entire crushing operation. Regular inspections, performance monitoring, and proper troubleshooting can keep your VFD running at peak efficiency, which in turn helps your crusher perform reliably day after day.

If you have VFD issues that you cannot resolve with your operator’s manual, you can always reach out to Eagle Crusher’s Service Team or their network of authorized dealers.

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