Service Questions with James: When & How to Clean Out the Impactor 

Maintaining a rock crusher isn’t just about the brute force of its operation; it’s about the finesse of understanding preventative maintenance, such as when and how to clean out its impactor. Much like a finely tuned instrument, a rock crusher requires regular attention to ensure it performs at its peak, crushing rocks with efficiency and precision. Learning the significance of timely and thorough impactor maintenance unveils the pivotal role it plays in preserving the integrity and longevity of the crusher, safeguarding its capacity to pulverize rocks and propel operations forward with unwavering reliability. Join Eagle Crusher Service Technician, James, as he opens the hood on impactor cleaning. 

It starts with the material. 

Cleaning the impactor is not always needed on a regular basis; it depends on the material that is being processed through the impactor. As the operator, it is important to watch for buildup on the sides of the rotor and the primary and secondary aprons. Only you can prevent down time and added wear on the rotor housing, rotor, blow bars, and more if proper maintenance if performed.   

How often should you clean the impactor? 

If you see any build up, or if there is wet material being processed through the impactor, then it is important to be mindful and check the inside of the crusher housing a few times a week for buildup. Additionally, you can listen to or watch the crusher for any abnormal sounds or vibrations. If material is found building up, perform your safety measures such as lock out and tag out and locking the rotor with its locking pin. If you cannot move the rotor due to the buildup, then it’s recommended that you chain the fly wheel. As always, consult your owner’s manual or an authorized technician if you have questions. Then, use a pressure washer to clean any material off the aprons and the side wear plates. This prevents unnecessary wear and vibrations.  

Cleaning while opening and closing the crusher housing lid 

While it is very important to keep the inside of the crusher housing and rotor clear of built-up material, it is also important to be mindful of moving materials while opening and closing the impactor housing lid. Remember, always lock out and tag out your power source before opening the crusher housing. When you open the crusher housing, watch for falling material that may be laying on the tops on the aprons. Before you close the crusher housing, make sure all materials are free from the stationary base of the impactor. It is recommended that you close the impactor lid halfway then check again to ensure when the impactor closes that no material is stuck between the base and the housing lid. Leftover materials could potentially bend the lid, not allowing it to close and seal correctly.  

What could happen if you don’t clean the impactor? 

If the material built up in the housing is not cleared this could be a costly mistake not only on wear parts in the crusher, but to the entire crusher. If the material is not cleared and abnormal vibration goes on for an extended time, you run the risk of causing the welded structures on the crusher to fail. 

Who can I reach out to for more information? 

As an operator, it is important that you familiarize yourself with your specific machine’s requirements by thoroughly understanding your owner’s manual. Additionally, knowing who to reach out to, such as Eagle Crusher’s authorized dealers or service department. You can also continue your learning journey by catching up on previous “Service Questions” and coming back for next month’s Service Question with Louis as he details how to maintain your crusher’s air filters.