Crusher Throughput Calculator

Estimate crusher output quickly for any rock blend. Adjust belt, density, and operating factors easily. Plan shifts, trucks, and stockpiles with confident numbers today.

Inputs

Use direct area when you already know the belt cross-section.
Typical small-to-medium belts range from 0.05–0.25 m².
t/m³
Crushed rock often ranges from 1.4–2.0 t/m³.
mm
Used only when estimating area from belt and load.
mm
Approximate height of material profile on the belt.
Accounts for the curved load shape; 0.55–0.70 is common.
m/s
Higher speed increases flow, but watch spillage and wear.
%
Accounts for short stops, idling, and slowdowns.
%
Maintenance and breakdown allowance for the period.
1.05–1.15 when consistently choke-fed and stable.
Reduce for very hard or abrasive material; increase for easy-crushing rock.
Lower values for high fines or sticky material affecting flow.
%
Moisture can reduce throughput due to buildup and bridging.
h
Used to convert t/h to daily output.
t
Used to estimate trucks per hour and spacing.

Example data table

Scenario Area (m²) Speed (m/s) Density (t/m³) Util (%) Avail (%) Adjusted (t/h)
Primary limestone, steady feed 0.14 2.20 1.55 88 93 ~1,496
Hard basalt, higher moisture 0.12 2.00 1.80 82 90 ~932
Recycled aggregate, higher fines 0.10 1.80 1.45 85 92 ~672

Formula used

Theoretical throughput (t/h)

Qtheoretical = A × v × ρ × 3600

  • A = loaded cross-sectional area (m²)
  • v = belt speed (m/s)
  • ρ = bulk density (t/m³)
  • 3600 converts seconds to hours

Adjusted throughput (t/h)

Qadjusted = Qtheoretical × U × Av × Fchoke × Fmaterial × Ffines × Fmoisture

U and Av are entered as percentages and applied as multipliers.

How to use this calculator

  1. Choose how you will provide the loaded area.
  2. Enter belt speed and material bulk density.
  3. Set utilization and availability for your time period.
  4. Adjust choke, material, fines, and moisture factors as needed.
  5. Click Calculate to see theoretical and adjusted throughput.
  6. Use CSV or PDF export for reporting and planning.

Throughput as a balance of flow and constraints

Crusher throughput begins with conveyor flow: loaded area, belt speed, and bulk density define the theoretical tonnage rate. In reality, the crusher, feeder, transfer points, and screening can become the bottleneck. This calculator separates the physics-based estimate from operating conditions so you can quantify losses, compare shifts, and prioritize the changes that raise sustained production.

Selecting realistic bulk density

Bulk density changes with geology, gradation, and moisture. Limestone and crushed concrete often fall near 1.4–1.7 t/m³, while dense igneous rock may reach 1.9–2.1 t/m³. A conservative density reduces the risk of over-promising trucks and stockpiles. If you have belt scale or lab data, update the input to match the current blend.

Belt loading geometry and speed controls

Loaded cross-sectional area depends on belt width, troughing, and how steadily the feeder presents material. When area is unknown, estimating with width, load height, and a shape factor provides a practical planning value. Belt speed increases capacity linearly, but higher speeds can increase spillage and wear. Pair speed changes with stable feed control to avoid surges.

Operational factors: utilization and availability

Utilization reflects how much of scheduled time is truly producing—idling, waiting, and short stops reduce it. Availability captures maintenance and breakdown impacts across the period. Keeping them separate helps target improvements: tighter shift routines raise utilization, while preventive maintenance increases availability. Together they often explain most of the gap between nameplate and achieved throughput.

Material behavior: fines and moisture impacts

High fines can reduce effective flow by increasing cohesion and buildup in chutes. Moisture raises the risk of bridging and carryback, especially above 8–12%. This calculator applies adjustable fines and moisture factors to reflect site conditions. Example data: Area 0.14 m², speed 2.20 m/s, density 1.55 t/m³, utilization 88%, availability 93% gives about 4,900 t/day at 10 hours.

FAQs

1) What does “theoretical throughput” represent?

It is the conveyor-based tonnage rate calculated from loaded area, belt speed, and bulk density, assuming continuous flow with no downtime or restrictions.

2) Why is my adjusted throughput much lower than theoretical?

Utilization, availability, and correction factors account for stops, maintenance, inconsistent feed, material hardness, fines, and moisture. Small reductions across several factors compound quickly.

3) How do I estimate loaded area if I do not have it?

Use the belt width, average load height, and a shape factor. Start around 0.60 and adjust after comparing results to belt scale data or known production rates.

4) What is a reasonable utilization value for planning?

For many sites, 75–90% is typical depending on haul cycles and operational discipline. Use lower values for frequent relocations, changeovers, or variable feed conditions.

5) How should I set the material factor?

Reduce it for very hard, abrasive rock that limits crusher performance, and increase it slightly for easier material. Calibrate using historical plant data when available.

6) How does moisture affect throughput?

Moisture promotes buildup and bridging, reducing flow and increasing cleaning time. If you see carryback or chute plugging, apply a stronger moisture penalty and validate with shift logs.

7) Can I use this for truck dispatch planning?

Yes. Enter truck payload to estimate trucks per hour and minutes per truck. Use adjusted throughput for realistic dispatch spacing and queue management.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.