What is Pitman in jaw crusher?

Understanding Pitman in Jaw Crushers

If you’re involved in mining, construction, or aggregate processing, you’ve likely encountered jaw crushers—the workhorses of primary crushing. These machines break down large rocks into smaller, manageable pieces, but have you ever wondered about the key components that make this possible? One critical part you shouldn’t overlook is the pitman. 

What Exactly is a Pitman?

In simple terms, the pitman is a heavy-duty, oscillating arm that sits at the heart of a jaw crusher, It is equipped with a movable jaw plate, and bearings and bearing housing are installed inside. It connects the crusher’s motor-driven eccentric shaft to the moving jaw, acting as the bridge between power input and the crushing action. Think of it as the “muscle” that translates rotational energy into the back-and-forth motion needed to crush material.

 Typically made from Cast steel/alloy steel, the pitman is built to withstand extreme forces—after all, it’s responsible for moving the swing jaw against the fixed jaw to compress and break rocks, which can exert tons of pressure. Its robust design ensures it can handle the wear and tear of continuous operation.