First source that comes to mind that may have that kind of information is the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association in Alexandria, Virginia. www.nssga.org

Thank you for elucidating the origins of this line of crusher. The whole story of how some of this equipment came about isn’t always presented factually to us.

We’d like to see a way for you to be in contact with a fellow that’s claiming to have repeated bearing failures with a Gyracone; he wrote to this column around September 7th. The way this Q and A column is formatted doesn’t allow for the correspondents to know who or where the questions come from. Let’s hope he continues reading our column and can figure out a way to contact you.

All we could offer was generalities, since we’ve had little exposure to the Gyracone model and no model was noted in the September 7th inquiry. Here’s hoping he’s a continuing reader and can take advantage of your experience.

I believe El-Jay (Louis Johnson) crushers utilized roller bearings both radially and shaft mounted in the late 1960s.

I've not had a lot of exposure to the model you refer to, so I'm not familiar with its internal workings. My limited information on this model indicates these were made as a spin-off, or licensee arrangement, with the original Allis-Chalmers Hydrocone model crushers. The A-C machines were quite reliable relative to the area where you're experiencing problems.

Bearing failures in any crusher of structural substance involve lubrication, alignment, or clearances. The issues of proper lubrication focus on proper temperature, cleanliness and pressure.

If lubrication matters are known to be in order, machined fit alignments and clearances become the subject. Continual loss of bearing fit or proper clearance will eventually affect basic machined alignments and finish tolerances.

Start with the oil and then go to the measuring. I understand that the Jaques line of equipment is now a Terex property -- they should be in a position to help you with the details of your ongoing problem.

Your situation is a normal finding. Most high volume producers of manufactured sieve size materials arrive at the same conclusion you have.

You'll want to determine the level of output rate you need, since roll crushers come in various sizes and capacities. Because they're a comparatively simple piece of equipment, there'll be a lot of options available from many manufacturers.

For example, the very foundry sand we use to make our molds is produced by a supplier with a homemade roll crusher, using a steel tubing affair for the arbor. We make a sleeve-like wear liner (roll shell) from a high hardness chrome iron material that is rather small in diameter, though long, and it produces at an acceptable rate.

Some of the manufacturers of roll crushers for your needs are: Gruendler Crusher (St. Louis, MO), FFE Minerals USA, Inc. (Bethlehem, PA), and McLanahan Corp. (Hollidaysburg, PA). There's also a substantial used crusher market, and your local equipment dealers should be able to locate something for you. Common aggregate roll crushers such as Cedarapids, Universal or Pioneer could be modified to suit your needs as well.

You've got a lot of options to look at before taking on making something yourself from scratch. Your inquiry doesn't note what type of crusher you're considering - there are as many types and sizes of crushers as there are foreign automobiles.

Size is the issue where you'll have to make your most difficult decision. Don't cut yourself short on what you figure you're going to be crushing, with whatever you get: a machine that's a little bigger than you'd think is necessary is better -- much better.

The most common machines are jaw crushers and cone crushers, followed by impactor and roll crushers. Domestic North American manufacturers of several suitable crushing machines are: Johnson Crushers International (Eugene, OR); Cedarapids, Inc. (Cedar Rapids, IA); and Telsmith, Inc. (Mequon, WI). Making the best choice of machine is predicated on defining what you intend to crush with it. There's also a tremendous used crusher market out there -- your local equipment dealers may find something suitable for you.