The Hatfield Double Toggle Jaw Crusher is a robust and historically significant piece of mineral processing equipment developed in the early 20th century. Originating from the engineering workshops of Hatfield Colliery in South Yorkshire, England, this crusher was designed primarily for coal and hard rock crushing applications in mining and quarrying operations.
Unlike the more common single-toggle jaw crushers that became widespread later, the Hatfield model employs a double toggle mechanism. This design features two toggle plates connected to a pitman (swinging jaw) that moves in an elliptical path, providing a consistent crushing action throughout the stroke. The double toggle system offers greater mechanical advantage and improved control over the crushed product size, especially when processing abrasive or tough materials..jpg)
Historical records from mining journals of the 1920s and 1930s indicate that the Hatfield crusher was particularly favored in British collieries due to its durability and ability to handle high-moisture coal without frequent blockages. Its construction emphasized simplicity and ease of maintenance—critical factors in underground mining environments where downtime could severely impact productivity..jpg)
The crusher’s frame was typically made of cast iron or fabricated steel, with replaceable manganese steel jaw plates to withstand wear. Power was transmitted via a flywheel and eccentric shaft, driving the pitman through two toggle plates linked to a rear support bracket. This configuration reduced stress on individual components compared to single-toggle designs, contributing to longer service life.
Although largely superseded by more modern jaw crusher designs from manufacturers like Metso (now Metso Outotec) and Sandvik by the late 20th century, examples of Hatfield double toggle crushers have been documented in industrial heritage collections. One such unit is preserved at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, where it serves as a testament to early British engineering innovation in mineral processing.
Technical specifications from archived colliery equipment catalogs list typical Hatfield models with feed openings ranging from 150 mm × 250 mm to 300 mm × 500 mm, capable of processing several tons per hour depending on material hardness and feed size. While throughput rates were modest by today’s standards, they were well-suited to the production scales of early coal operations.
In summary, the Hatfield double toggle jaw crusher represents an important phase in crushing technology development. Its mechanical design reflects practical solutions tailored to the operational demands of early industrial mining, combining reliability with effective size reduction performance. Though no longer in active production, its influence can be seen in later generations of toggle-based crushing machinery used worldwide.