The track mounted mobile crushing plants are crushing machines mounted on crawler tracks and are able to move on their own power through hydraulic tracks, while wheeled mobile crushing plants are crushing machines mounted on semi-trailer tracks and have to be towed by trucks due to lack of ability to move on their own power.
The track plant is the best choice when it comes to onsite movement since it has an ability to maneuver quickly due to wireless remote controls and operate as any other heavy machinery, moving independently, without a need to be towed. It takes the track plant only several minutes to reposition itself and get back to full production mode. Track plant suits well for constantly changing locations such as moves from one quarry bench to another.
The mobility and freedom of movement allow track-mounted crushers to adapt better to any type of terrain, including uneven surfaces, wetlands, slopes, mountains, and others that are inaccessible for wheeled machinery due to its tank-like design. Its climbing capabilities make it perfect for mining applications and other open-pit excavations. Wheeled crushers can operate only in certain ground conditions, namely stable ones, and they work best at prepared sites and paved roads.
The positioning of the track-mounted plants is quite fast because the machines will be ready to use within minutes because of the ease of use and the inclusion of their own source of power. The wheeled plants are slower to position compared to the track-mounted due to the increased use of conveyor belts, increased area of operation, and possibly the need for wiring to power up the plant if the plants utilize electric motors. Wheeled plants are 5-10% less productive than track mounted because of increased maintenance requirements.
When it comes to long-distance transportation from one project location to another, wheeled plants are more efficient and may even be cheaper to transport than other plants because they can act like semi-trailers and are towed by normal tractors to travel through normal highways. Wheeled plants cause less wear and tear to highways while traveling on regular roads.
Usually, the wheeled types have larger feed hoppers and more stability once secured, which makes it possible to install larger crushing equipment and effectively crush oversized particles. With higher stability levels than track-mounted machines, wheeled plants ensure higher efficiency rates during the crushing process. Track-mounted types, in their turn, occupy less space while being able to feed each other without any transitional conveyors.
If your project requires internal transportation at high rates, involves working at changing benches, uses a site with poor ground conditions, or requires often proximity to an excavator, then choose the tracked type. If, however, you operate wheeled plants from pads, switch between sites with paved roadways, and plan to run production for a long time on each site, then go for wheeled types. Generally speaking, if you move a lot within the same site – use tracks; if you travel a lot between sites with a stable roadmap – use wheels.
