The Pegson AX815 Premiertrak 26×44 Jaw Crusher: A Robust Workhorse for Heavy-Duty Primary Crushing

In the demanding world of aggregate production, mining, and recycling, the primary crushing stage sets the tone for the entire processing operation. The efficiency, reliability, and output of the primary crusher directly impact downstream processes and overall profitability. Among the notable machines that have earned a formidable reputation in this critical role is the Pegson AX815 Premiertrak 26×44 Jaw Crusher. A product of Terex Pegson (now part of the Terex Materials Processing portfolio), this tracked mobile jaw crusher was engineered to be a high-performance, durable, and versatile solution for some of the toughest applications.

This article provides a comprehensive technical overview of the Pegson AX815 Premiertrak 26×44, examining its design philosophy, key components, operational capabilities, and the lasting legacy it has established within the crushing and screening industry.

Design Philosophy and Core Configuration

The AX815 Premiertrak falls into the category of a medium to large-sized tracked mobile jaw crusher. Its nomenclature, “26×44,” directly references the dimensions of its feed opening—26 inches by 44 inches (660mm x 1150mm). This substantial opening is designed to accept large feed material from excavators or wheeled loaders, making it ideal for quarrying, mining, and demolition projects where run-of-mine or blasted rock is the primary feedstock.

The machine was built around a “single-toggle” jaw crusher design. In this configuration, a single toggle plate and eccentric shaft located at the top of the crusher actuate the moving jaw. This design is renowned for its aggressive crushing action and high capacity. Compared to double-toggle designs, single-toggle jaws often provide a more compact layout and are recognized for their efficiency in processing a wide range of materials.

Mounted on a robust tracked undercarriage, the AX815 is fully mobile on-site and can be relocated with relative ease compared to static plants. This mobility offers operational flexibility, allowing contractors to move the crusher closer to the face or between different project sites without significant dismantling.

In-Depth Technical Specifications and Key Features

1. The Heart: The 26” x 44” Jaw Crusher Unit
The centerpiece of the machine is its massive jaw chamber.

• Crushing Chamber: The chamber geometry is designed to be deep and aggressive, facilitating a powerful nip angle that effectively grabs and crushes large rocks. This design minimizes slippage and promotes a consistent first break.
• Hydraulic Adjustment: A critical feature for optimizing output and managing wear is the hydraulic closed side setting (CSS) adjustment. Operators can alter the crusher’s discharge gap hydraulically while the machine is in operation or stationary. This allows for quick changes in product size to meet specific contract requirements or to compensate for mantle and jaw die wear over time.
• Hydraulic Release: To protect the crusher from irreversible damage caused by uncrushable material (e.g., tramp metal), the AX815 incorporates an automatic hydraulic release system. When an overload event occurs, the toggle plate is designed to break or trigger a release mechanism that opens the jaw, allowing the foreign object to pass through. The system can then be reset relatively quickly, minimizing downtime.
• Wear Parts: The fixed and moving jaws are lined with reversible manganese steel jaw plates. These plates are designed to be reversible and interchangeable where possible to maximize their service life by utilizing different wear patterns.

2. Powerplant and Hydraulics
The AX815 is typically powered by a Caterpillar C9 ACERT diesel engine. The C9 is a six-cylinder, turbocharged engine renowned for its durability, fuel efficiency (for its class), and compliance with Tier 3 / Stage IIIA emissions regulations that were prevalent at its time of manufacture.

• Power Output: The engine delivers approximately 261 kW (350 hp), providing ample power not only to drive the jaw crusher itself but also to operate all on-board hydraulics for tracks, feeders, and conveyor systems.
• Hydraulic System: A sophisticated hydraulic system manages multiple functions:
  • Track propulsion for travel and positioning.
  • Powering variable-speed vibratory feeder.
  • Operating hopper wings (on some models).
  • Driving discharge conveyor lifting and lowering.
  • Facilitating CSS adjustment and crusher unblocking.

3. Feeding System: Pre-Screen Feeder
A key feature that significantly enhances the machine’s efficiency is its integrated pre-screen.

• Function: Located before the crusher inlet, this vibrating grizzly feeder (VGF) performs two crucial tasks simultaneously: it regulates the feed rate of material into the crushing chamber via variable speed control while also screening out fine natural fines fromthe feed material.
• Benefits: By removing these sub-crush-size particles before they enterthe crusher chamber,the pre-screen reduces unnecessary wear onthe jaw dies,increases overall throughput capacity,and can improvethe final product shape by reducing compaction within-the chamber.It also allows-the bypass offines directly onto-the main product conveyor or onto-a separate side conveyor,thereby creating twoproduct streams if required.

4.Mobilityand Conveying

• Tracked Undercarriage:The crawler tracks provide excellent ground stability anda low ground pressure,makingthe machine suitablefor working on softer terrains.The tracks are hydraulically driven allowing forsmooth traveland precise positioning.The machine canbe operated via remote controlfor enhanced safety during setupand when clearing blockages
• Product Conveyor:The crushed materialis discharged ontoa heavy-duty product conveyor.The conveyoris usually equipped withahydraulic folding mechanismfor transportand features adjustable heightto create an adequate stockpile orto feed asecondary crusher directly

Operational Performanceand Applications

The Pegson AX815 Premiertrakis capableof impressive production outputs depending onthe closed side settingandthe type offeed material.In hard abrasive stone like graniteit can produce between200and400 tonnes per hour whereasin more forgiving limestone applications throughputs can exceed500 tph

Its primary applications include:

• Hard Rock Quarrying:Ideal for processing blasted granite basalt,and limestone
• Sandand Gravel:Effective in processing natural gravelsand pit-run material where-the pre-screen proves particularly valuable
• Demolitionand Recycling:While notits primary design purpose itcan handle reinforced concreteand construction debris though amagnetic separatormay berequiredto remove rebar

Strengthsand Considerations

Strengths:

1. Robustnessand Durability:TheAX815is built withheavy-duty components designedto withstand continuous high-impact crushing
2. High Capacity:The large feed opening combined withan aggressive chamber delivershigh tonnage outputs makingit suitablefor large-scale projects
3. Operational Efficiency:Features like-the hydraulic CSS adjustment pre-screen feeder,and reversible jaw dies contribute toreduced downtime lower cost per tonne,and maximized utilization
4. Proven Track Record:Asa well-established model thereis extensive industry knowledge available parts supportis generally goodfrom Terexand third-party suppliers anda wealthof experienced operators

Considerations:
1.Age:TheAX815 model has been superseded by newer modelsin-the Terex Jaques range(such asthe J-1175/J-1180)which may feature more advanced electronics improved fuel efficiency,and updated emissionstier engines(Stage IV/Tier4Final)
2.Fuel Consumption:Whilethe C9 engineis reliable fora machineofthis size fuel consumptioncan be significant especially underfull load which mustbe factored intooperating costs
3.Single-Purpose Design:Asa dedicated primary jawcrushera full crushingandscreening circuit requires additional unitslike asecondary cone crusherscreeners,and stacking conveyors

Legacyand Conclusion

The Pegson AX815 Premiertrak 26×44 stands asa testamentto Terex Pegsons engineering prowessin designing durable high-capacity mobilecrushing equipment.It representsapeak performer froman erawhere mechanical reliability hydraulic powerandasimplified yeteffective control system were paramount

While technological advancements have since introduced features like hybrid drives more sophisticated automation systems( suchas Terex’s PLC控制系统)and enhanced telematics themachine’s fundamental design principles remain sound Many unitsare still actively working aroundtheworld atestimonyto their build quality For companies seekinga proven reliable workhorse capableof tackling heavy-duty primarycrushing tasks withoutthe capital outlayofa brand-new model theremaining fleetof well-maintained PegsonAX815 Premiertraks continues tooffer tremendous valueandasolid return oninvestment Itsecuresits placein historyas oneofthe stalwarts that helped define modern track-mountedcrushing