Single-Cylinder vs Multi-Cylinder Cone Crusher: Differences & Installation Considerations

Cone crushers are common crushing equipment in mining and sand and gravel production, widely used for their high crushing ratio, high production capacity, and fine particle size. Depending on the configuration of the hydraulic cylinder, cone crushers are primarily divided into single-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers and multi-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers. Many users often wonder: What exactly is the difference between the two? Below, we will provide a detailed analysis of several aspects and share some precautions for cone crusher installation and commissioning.

I. The Difference Between Single-Cylinder and Multi-Cylinder Cone Crusher

1. Different Structural Composition

• Single-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers:
  Primarily composed of an upper frame assembly, a lower frame assembly, a movable cone assembly, an eccentric sleeve assembly, and a hydraulic cylinder assembly. Their structure is relatively simple.
• Multi-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers:
  Composed of a lower frame assembly, an eccentric sleeve assembly, a transmission assembly, a support sleeve assembly, an adjustment ring, and a movable cone assembly. Their overall structure is more complex, and they offer a wider range of adjustment and protection features.

2. Different Discharge Opening Adjustment Devices

• Single-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers:
  During normal operation, an oil pump is used to fill or drain oil into the main shaft cylinder, causing the main shaft to move up and down, thereby adjusting the discharge opening.
• Multi-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers:
  A hydraulic pusher or hydraulic motor drives the adjustment cap, causing the adjustment ring to rotate within the support sleeve, thereby adjusting the discharge opening.

3. Different Crushing Effects

• Multi-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers:
  Offer advantages in fine crushing and lamination crushing, significantly improving the quality of the finished product (e.g., higher cube ratio, fewer needle-like particles).
• Single-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers:
  More suitable for medium crushing, with high throughput and high production capacity, ideal for scenarios requiring large-scale material processing.

II. Cone Crusher Installation and Commissioning Precautions

To ensure safe and stable operation of the equipment, the following points should be observed during installation and commissioning:

1. Foundation Installation
   The equipment should be installed on a level concrete foundation (ensure the foundation meets load-bearing requirements) and secured with anchor bolts (check bolt specifications to avoid insufficient fixing force).
2. Machine Body Position
   During installation, use a level to confirm that the main unit is perpendicular to the horizontal (allowable deviation ≤ 0.1%). Deviation may cause uneven wear of the movable cone and fixed cone.
3. Tightening Inspection
   After installation, thoroughly check all connecting bolts (especially frame, transmission shaft, and motor bolts) for looseness, and confirm the main engine compartment door is tightly sealed. Tighten or replace any loose/damaged parts promptly.
4. Electrical Configuration
   Configure power cables and control switches strictly based on the equipment’s rated power and voltage requirements. Ensure the grounding system is reliable to prevent electrical safety hazards.
5. No-load Test Run
   After inspection and confirmation:
   • Conduct a 2-4 hour no-load test run;
   • Check for abnormal noise, vibration, or oil leakage;
   • Confirm the rotation direction of the motor and eccentric sleeve is correct;
   • Only put the equipment into formal production if all indicators are normal.

Summary

Single-cylinder and multi-cylinder cone crushers each have unique advantages in structure, adjustment methods, and crushing performance. Users should select the appropriate configuration based on their specific needs (e.g., medium vs. fine crushing, production capacity vs. finished product quality). Furthermore, standard installation and commissioning are prerequisites for long-term stable production—all steps must be performed in strict accordance with the equipment manual and technical specifications.