Buyer's Guide
Crusher Spare Parts: What to Keep in Stock and What to Order Made
Last updated October 2026 · By SKS Steel Zambia, Foundry & Machine Shop, Kalulushi
Most crusher downtime is not caused by the machine failing. It is caused by waiting for a part that was not on the shelf. The fix is not to stock everything, because that ties up cash in castings that may sit for a year. The fix is to split your crusher spare parts into two groups: the ones you hold, and the ones you can order made in time.
This guide gives a simple way to make that split, and a starter list by machine type. It draws on our work as a foundry and machine shop in Kalulushi supplying jaw plates, blow bars and cone liners to Copperbelt operations.
Wear Parts vs Structural Spares
Wear parts are designed to be consumed. Jaw plates, blow bars, mantles and concaves, hammers and liners all wear out on a predictable cycle, so you know roughly when you will need the next set. Structural spares, such as shafts, bearings, eccentric assemblies and frames, rarely fail, but when they do the lead time is long and the cost is high.
The rule that works for most sites: hold at least one full set of every wear part that is on a short, predictable cycle, and decide the structural spares by risk, not by habit. If a failure would stop the plant for weeks, plan for it. If it would stop it for days, order when needed.
How Much Stock Is Enough
The right quantity comes from two numbers: how long a set lasts, and how long a replacement takes to reach you. If jaw plates last 4 to 10 weeks depending on feed abrasiveness, and a made-to-order set takes around 30 days from confirmed drawing to dispatch, then you need the next set in production while the current one is still on the machine. Holding one spare set and ordering the next the day you fit it covers the gap.
For imported parts the lead time is longer and less certain because of shipping and customs, so the safety stock needs to be larger. For parts made locally, a smaller buffer is usually enough. We cover this trade-off in more detail in our guide to local vs imported wear parts.
Want help building a spares list?
Send your machine list. We will mark what to stock and what to order made.
Chat on WhatsAppStarter Spares by Machine
| Machine | Hold on site | Order when needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jaw crusher | One set fixed and swing jaw plates, cheek plates, toggle plate | Bearings, pitman, flywheel |
| Cone crusher | One mantle and concave set, bronze bushings | Main shaft, eccentric, frame parts |
| Impact crusher | One full set of blow bars, side liners | Rotor, bearings, aprons |
| Ball or SAG mill | Spare liner set or partial set, grinding media top-up | Trunnion bearings, gear parts |
What to Send for a First Order
If you are ordering a part from us for the first time, the fastest route is to send what you already have:
- Machine model and serial number: so we can match the part to the right size.
- A drawing or the OEM part number: either one lets us start straight away.
- A worn part or clear photos with measurements: if there is no drawing, we can work from the part itself.
- Ore or rock type: this decides the alloy. See our guide on manganese steel vs high chrome iron.
Details on minimum orders and timing are in our buying guide.
A Simple Stocking Rule
Compare each part’s lead time with how long a set lasts.
- If a set wears out faster than the lead time, keep a spare set on site.
- If a part lasts months and can be cast in about 30 days, order it to make once you see wear.
- Review the list every year, because feed and wear rates change.
Building a Critical Spares List
For each machine, write down the part, the wear life, the lead time and what happens if it is missing. Mark the parts that stop production. Those go on the stock list first. Use your wear records from How Often Should You Replace Crusher Wear Parts? to set the reorder point, and see Buying Custom Cast Wear Parts in Zambia: Lead Times, MOQs & What to Expect for how to order the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
The wear parts on the shortest cycle: jaw plates, blow bars or mantle and concave sets, plus the small fittings that go with them. One full set on the shelf is a sensible minimum.
Yes. If the OEM drawing is not available we can measure the worn part, allow for the wear, and make a drawing to cast from. Photos with dimensions are enough to start a quote.
We supply customers across the Copperbelt and can arrange delivery to neighbouring regions including the DRC. Send your location when you request a quote.
Planning Your Spares for the Year?
Tell us your crusher models and we will suggest a spares list and a timeline to match your wear cycle.
Keep Reading
Why Crusher Wear Parts Fail Early: A Troubleshooting GuideWhy crusher wear parts fail early, how to read the wear pattern, and a symptom, cause and first-check table to run before you reorder.Read article →
How Often Should You Replace Crusher Wear Parts?How often jaw plates, blow bars and mill liners need replacing, and the signs that your crusher wear parts are due for a change.Read article →
High Chrome Blow Bars: Choosing Chrome Content and HardnessHigh chrome blow bars explained: chrome content, hardness, and when to pick them over manganese. Cast and heat treated in Kalulushi, Zambia.Read article →