Preventative Maintenance Checklist for Cone Crushers

close view of a cone crusher

When it comes to keeping your cone crusher running their best, preventative maintenance isn’t just a best practice, it’s a necessity. Whether you’repreventative maintenance processing hard rock, sand and gravel, or recycled materials, regular maintenance makes sure your investment continues to produce the maximum output with minimal downtime.

At Mellott, we’ve worked with hundreds of operations to help extend the life of their equipment. Below is an overview of a  preventative maintenance checklist to help you stay ahead of wear, breakdowns, and costly repairs.

Daily Cone Crusher Maintenance Tasks

These daily checks should be part of every operator’s routine:

  • Visual inspection of the crusher and surrounding area

    • Check for oil leaks, worn parts, or any debris buildup around the machine.

  • Lubrication system check

    • Ensure oil levels are correct and free of contamination.

    • Verify that all grease points are receiving proper lubrication.

  • Check hydraulic system pressure

    • Confirm that settings match manufacturer recommendations.

  • Monitor and log operating temperatures

    • A spike in bearing or oil temperature can signal early-stage problems.

  • Listen for unusual sounds

    • Grinding, popping, or knocking noises can indicate component wear or failure.

Weekly Maintenance Checklist

Once a week, spend more time on deeper inspection:

  • Check and clean the oil cooler

    • Dirt and debris can clog cooling fins, reducing system efficiency.

  • Inspect wear parts

  • Check belt tension and alignment

    • Misaligned or loose belts can reduce power transmission and damage the motor.

  • Clean the dust sealing system

Monthly and Quarterly Tasks

Longer-term maintenance keeps your crusher healthy year-round:

  • Change out oil and filters (per manufacturer schedule)

  • Check drive motors and gearboxes

    • Look for overheating, vibration, or unusual sounds.

  • Examine structural components

    • Inspect frame welds, mounting bolts, and foundation for cracks or fatigue.

  • Inspect tramp relief system

    • Make sure relief cylinders are responsive and properly pressurized.

Common Cone Crusher Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping inspections during peak season
    Downtime always costs more during high-demand periods.

  • Waiting until failure to replace liners
    Worn liners reduce crushing efficiency and cause uneven wear on the machine.

  • Ignoring warning signs
    Small anomalies—like temperature shifts or odd noises—can quickly escalate into major repairs.

Tools That Can Help

Mellott offers tools and services to make your maintenance process easier:

rock crusher equipment technician performing maintenance on a rock crusherNeed Help with Crusher Maintenance?

Preventative maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated. Mellott’s field service team can train your staff or conduct scheduled inspections to keep your crushing operation running smoothly.

Contact us today to schedule a maintenance consultation or to set up regular service for your cone crushers.