Gyratory crusher with self-aligning mainshaft features and method of assembly thereof

An end plate (32) for provision to a lower distal end of a mainshaft assembly (2) of a gyratory crusher (1), the end plate (32) comprising a lower side which is configured to rest on a thrust bearing (48) located above a hydraulic cylinder (59);

• the end plate (32) further comprising an upper side configured to be received in a recess (46) provided in a lower mainshaft (26) of the mainshaft assembly (2), the recess (46) being defined by a bottom surface (29) of the lower mainshaft (26) surrounded by a lower annular projection (28) of the lower mainshaft (26);
• CHARACTERISED IN THAT the end plate (32) is configured to bias a lower mainshaft (26) of the mainshaft assembly (2) into concentric alignment with a bore (56) of an eccentric (11) or eccentric liner (12), upon introduction of the mainshaft assembly (2) into the gyratory crusher (1) by lowering the mainshaft assembly (2) from above the gyratory crusher (1) into the gyratory crusher (1), by virtue of a lower alignment chamfer (36) being provided to the end plate (32) at its radially-outermost periphery.

A counterweight (13) for provision to an upper portion of an eccentric (11) and/or eccentric liner (12) within a gyratory crusher (1);

• the counterweight (13) having an upper side and an underside and being CHARACTERISED IN THAT it comprises a C-shaped arcuate profile having two ends, and a concave alignment chamfer (41);
• the alignment chamfer (41) being defined by a ramped surface which faces upwardly and radially-inwardly and extends between the upper side and the underside and two ends such that the counterweight (13) is narrower in width across its upper side than across its underside;
• the alignment chamfer (41) being configured to bias a lower mainshaft (26) of a mainshaft assembly (2) of the gyratory crusher (1) into concentric alignment with a bore (56) of the eccentric (11) or eccentric liner (12) to which it is provided, upon introduction of the mainshaft assembly (2) into the gyratory crusher (1) by lowering the mainshaft assembly (2) from above the gyratory crusher (1) into the gyratory crusher (1).