Foreword
Choosing between a jaw crusher and an impact crusher isn’t just about picking a machine—it’s a critical financial decision that directly impacts your project’s operating costs and ROI. Using the wrong type of crusher for your material can increase annual operating costs by 20-30% in parts wear and energy consumption.
This isn’t another generic comparison. This guide, based on SUHMAN’s engineering data and global project experience, will help you select the right crusher between our flagship models—the SE-1060 Jaw Crusher and the SF-380D Impact Crusher.
How They Work: Compression (Jaw) vs Impact (Impact)
| Comparison content | Jaw crusher | Impact crusher |
| Working principle | A fixed and a moving jaw compress material like a vice | High-speed rotors and hammers throw material against impact aprons or other rocks |
| range of crushed materials | Various materials with a compressive strength not exceeding 320 MPa, such as granite, limestone, basalt, and andesite | Materials with a compressive strength not exceeding 150 MPa, such as coal, cement, and construction waste |
| Material hardness | hard | Medium to low hardness |
| Finished product | The coarsely crushed and mixed aggregates are mostly needle-shaped and flaky, and most of them require further processing | Medium-sized, cubic shape, suitable for high-standard materials |
| SUHMAN’s main models | SE-1160(1160×800),SE-1060(1060×700) | SF-580D,SF-380D |
| cost | The cost is lower than that of an impact crusher | The cost is relatively high compared to the jaw crusher |
SUHMAN’s Edge
Built for Abuse. Heavy-duty frame & high manganese jaws. 2-year warranty on main frame.
Versatile & Efficient. Integrated screen options, superior product shape, ideal for recycling.
A Note from SUHMAN Engineers: In a 2025 Philippine granite quarry project, we measured wear life. The SE-1060’s jaw plates lasted 7 months, while a competitor’s impact crusher hammers in the same primary role wore out in under 3 months. The wrong choice is costly.
Jaw Crusher and Impact Crusher Application Scenarios Analysis
Both jaw crushers and impact crushers can be used in primary crushing scenarios. We compare the applications of SUHMAN’s SE-1060 and SF-380D in specific scenarios:
1.SE-1060 Applicable Scenarios
| Material Range | Various materials with compressive strength not exceeding 320Mpa | Specifically for crushing hard rock and hard raw materials |
| Capacity | 200-250TPH | Easily handles small to medium-sized crushing operations |
| Finished Product Specifications | 0-250mm | Mixed aggregate |
Why it’s the right choice: Its robust, compressive action is simply more efficient and durable on abrasive materials. It’s your reliable primary workhorse.
2.SF-380D Applicable Scenarios
| Material Range | Various materials with compressive strength not exceeding 150Mpa | Specifically for crushing medium to soft rock |
| Capacity | 150-240TPH | Easily handles small to medium-sized crushing operations |
| Easily handles small to medium-sized crushing operations | 0-150mm | Shaped material, suitable for high-grade feed |
Why it’s the right choice: Delivers a superior, in-spec product shape in a single step. The “SF-380D-S” model with integrated screening is perfect for C&D waste, separating rebar and producing sellable aggregate on-site.
SUHMAN Case Study: How the Right Choice Saved $50,000
A 2025 project in Indonesia planned to use an impact crusher for primary granite crushing. After a free site analysis, SUHMAN engineers recommended the SE-1060 Jaw + SF-380D Impact Crusher combo. The jaw handled the initial, highly abrasive crushing, protecting the impact crusher. The result? Annual wear part costs were reduced by 35%, and the final product met high-grade concrete specs. The right configuration pays for itself.
Three-Step Decision Analysis Method
“In 2025, an Indonesian quarry originally planned to use an Impact crusher for primary crushing. After our on-site survey, it was changed to a SE-1060 jaw crusher + SF-380D impact crusher for secondary crushing, which reduced the annual cost of wear parts by 35%.”
Apply according to the actual project situation:
Step 1: Consider the material hardness
Granite, basalt, iron ore → Directly select SUHMAN SE-1060 Jaw Crusher.
Reason: The Jaw’s structural design can withstand extremely high compressive strength, making it the first choice for hard rock head crushers. Using Impact crushers in hard rock leads to drastically accelerated hammer wear and increased costs for vulnerable parts.
Limestone, Coal Gangue, Construction Waste → Consider SUHMAN SF-380D Impact Crusher.
Reason: Impact crushers can simultaneously achieve efficient crushing and particle shape optimization in these conditions, and better separate steel reinforcement from concrete.
Step Two: Consider Finished Product Requirements
Requirement: 0-5mm manufactured sand or high-quality roadbed aggregate → If the material is soft rock, the SF-380D can complete crushing and shaping in one step.
Requirement: Primary coarse aggregate (e.g., 0-40mm) → SE-1060, after which a cone crusher or impact crusher can be connected.
Step 3: Consider Capacity and Budget
With a limited budget and primarily dealing with hard rock: The SUHMAN SE-1060 jaw crusher is the most cost-effective starting point.
With a sufficient budget and prioritizing particle shape: A combination of “SUHMAN SE-1160 jaw crusher (primary crusher) + SF-380D impact crusher (secondary crusher)” is recommended.
SUHMAN Case Studies
Scenario A: Indonesian/Philippine granite quarry (hard rock conditions)
Recommended configuration: SUHMAN SE-1060 tracked mobile jaw crusher.
Reason: Utilizing its large 700mm feed opening to handle blasted boulders, coupled with SUHMAN’s 2-year warranty (main frame, bearings, etc.), ensures exceptional durability under harsh conditions.
Scenario B: Urban construction waste recycling (demolition project)
Recommended configuration: SUHMAN SF-380D-S tracked mobile impact crusher (integrated type).
Reason: Impact crushers can better separate steel reinforcement from concrete, and the finished aggregate has a good particle shape, resulting in a high market price. Integrated screening functionality allows for direct on-site production of usable aggregate.
Scenario C: Limestone Sand Making (for cement plants)
Recommended Configuration: Directly use the SUHMAN SF-380D impact crusher (if feed <300mm), or a combination of a small jaw crusher and an impact crusher.
Summary
SUHMAN SE-1060 / SE-1160 Jaw Crusher = Hard rock head crusher, large feed, high reliability.
SUHMAN SF-380D Impact Crusher = Soft rock shaping, sand making, construction waste recycling.
Unsure which equipment matches your material?
SUHMAN engineers can provide you with free customized solutions. Please provide your material type, feed particle size, and target throughput (TPH). We will recommend the most economical mobile station configuration based on specific models such as the SE-1060 / SF-380D.
