The invention relates generally to a cone crusher, and more particularly to a cone crusher having a seal located between an eccentrically driven head and a stationary housing or socket.

Related Prior Art Various known constructions of cone crushers include a lubrication system for providing a supply of lubricant, usually oil, to the drive mechanism and other areas of the crusher. This supply of oil is transferred from a central reservoir of lubricant to the crusher by a pump and is distributed internally of the crusher by a system of oil passages. Among the numerous locations in a cone crusher requiring lubrication is the interface of the lower surface of the head of the crusher and the upper surface of the socket liner upon which the head slides during operation of the crusher.

It is also know to provide such cone crushers with seals located at various points in the crusher to separate the lubricated surfaces of the crusher and, in general, the lubrication system from the sand, grit, dust and other contaminants that are invariably present in the operating environment of a cone crusher. Two examples of such seal arrangements are disclosed in U.S.. Patent No. 4,629,197 which issued on December 16-, 1986 to Schutte et al. and U.S. Patent No. 3,771,735 which issued on November 13, 1973 to Decker et al. Another

Sealz arrangement for preventing passage of contaminants from the environment of the cone crusher into the drive train of the crusher is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,478,373 which issued on October 23, 1984 to Gieschen. One of the considerations that must be taken into account in providing a seal for a cone crusher is the eccentric motion of the head of the crusher relative to the frame supporting the head. The sealing arrangements must afford a range of travel of the head and components associated with the head relative to fixed components of

the crusher while at the same time providing an effective barrier to the passage of contaminants into the interior of the crusher and the lubrication system. One known sealing arrangement for preventing the ingress of contaminants into a lubrication system yet affording relative movement of the head and fixed components of the crusher includes a reservoir of water surrounding the interface between the socket liner and the head. The water reservoir is formed in part by the outer surface of the socket and in part by a generally annular reservoir member that surrounds and is fixed to the periphery of the socket. The socket and reservoir member cooperate to define a channel that is filled with a supply of water. The seal also includes a baffle ring that is also generally annular and that is fixed to the head. The baffle ring includes a conical shield that slidingly engages a wall of the reservoir member to provide a mechanical barrier to the passage of contaminants. The conical shield also includes a radially inner edge that extends into the channel and that dips into and remains below the surface of the water in the reservoir. The seal provides a barrier to air borne contaminants by assuring that the shield, which is impermeable, remains in contact with the reservoir of water, which is also an effective barrier to air borne contaminants. The supply of water in the reservoir is recirculated so that contaminants captured by the water reservoir are carried out of the reservoir and subsequently removed from the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the problems associated with the provision of a seal using a channel of water to prevent the passage of contaminants into the interior of a cone crusher is that the baffle ring can wear after prolonged sliding along the reservoir member. The wear on the reservoir member and/or the baffle ring can require replacement of one or both of these components, which requires substantial disassembly of the crusher and

prolonged down time for maintenance. The expenses associated with the costs of replacing these components and loss in productivity can be substantial.

Also, the water used in the reservoir can become contaminated with oil from the lubrication system of the crusher, which requires that the water be filtered to remove oil from the waste water and/or the contaminants in the water. The handling and disposal of such waste or "tramp" oil can be expensive. In addition, under freezing conditions, the water in the reservoir can freeze, which can result in the deformation of various components of the crusher and which can compromise the effectiveness of the seal.

The maintenance of both the water recirculation system and water supply, as well as a lubrication system and supply, also entails expense.

The invention provides a cone crusher with an improved seal, and a method for retro-fitting an existing, prior art cone crusher so as to include an improved sealing arrangement. The seal eliminates the need for a water supply, and provides seal assembly members that have a long service life, are inexpensive, and are easily replaced.

In one embodiment of the invention, the crusher includes a seal assembly including an oil reservoir baffle that is fixed to the socket of the crusher and that surrounds the socket. The oil reservoir baffle and the socket cooperate to define an oil reservoir surrounding the interface between the socket liner and the head of the crusher.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a seal assembly including resilient seal member that is received by a groove in the oil reservoir baffle and that is made of a material that is highly resistant to wear.

The seal assembly also includes a wiper ring that surrounds the socket and that is fixed to the head. The wiper ring includes a conical shield having a distal portion that extends into the reservoir The wiper ring

slidingly engages the seal member as the head moves relative to the socket. The wiper ring maintains pressure on the seal member so as to compress the seal member and to help retain the seal member in the oil chamber groove.

The crusher also includes a means for introducing a supply of oil from the lubrication system of the crusher to the oil reservoir and for conducting oil from the oil reservoir back into the interior of the crusher for recirculation and cleaning. The level of oil in the reservoir is maintained at a level above the distal inner edge of the wiper ring. No water is used for the seal.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a cone crdsher for crushing material, the crusher including a socket, a liner supported by and fixed to the socket, the liner having a head support surface, a head supported by the liner for motion relative to the socket, the head having a crushing surface for engaging the material to be crushed and having lower surface engaging the head support surface and, with the head support surface, defining an interface, lubrication means for lubricating the interface, the lubrication means adapted to contain a supply of lubricant, the lubrication means including a supply passage communicating between the supply of lubricant and the interface and including a drain passage communicating with the supply of lubricant and a seal assembly located between the crushing surface and the interface for preventing entry of contaminants to the interface, the seal assembly including a reservoir baffle mounted on the socket, the reservoir baffle and the socket defining a reservoir communicating with the supply passage and with the drain passage, the reservoir retaining a portion of the supply of the lubricant, the seal assembly also including a seal member mounted on the reservoir baffle and having an exterior wiping surface, the seal assembly also including a wiper ring mounted on the head, the wiper ring having a shield slidingly

engaged with the wiping surface and having an edge extending into and remaining in contact with the portion of the supply of lubricant retained by the reservoir. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for providing a prior art crusher with an improved oil-based sealing assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of removing the water reservoir from the cone crusher, providing an oil reservoir assembly, securing the oil reservoir assembly to the cone crusher to form an oil reservoir adapted to contain a supply of lubricant, and providing fluid communication between the lubrication system of the crusher and the oil reservoir. In one embodiment, the method includes replacing an existing reservoir member with an oil baffle, removing an oil retention plate so as to provide a supply of oil to the oil chamber, providing a seal member, and providing a supply of oil in the oil chamber.

One of the advantages provided by the invention is the elimination of a the need for maintaining a supply of water for sealing the interior of the crusher from contaminants. Another advantage provided by the invention is the provision of a seal that has a long service life and that reduces the expense associated with the maintenance, repair and replacement of known seals. Another advantage of the invention is the provision of a method for converting cone crushers that rely on a dual fluid system for lubricating and sealing the interior of the crusher to a crusher having a simplified, single fluid system.

Another advantage of the invention is the provision of a method for converting cone crushers that rely on a dual fluid system for lubricating and sealing the interior of the crusher to a crusher having a simplified, single fluid system.

Another advantage of the invention is the elimination of the need to recover and dispose of waste oil entrained in a water seal.

Other features and advantages of the invention will

beco e apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art cone crusher.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the crusher shown in Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with various components of the crusher removed for the purposes of illustration.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cone crusher embodying the invention. Figure 5 is a top plan view of the wiper ring shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a view of a seal member embodying the invention and shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in Fig. 7.

Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figures 1-3 illustrate a prior art cone crusher 10 used to crush large aggregate particles (e.g., rocks) into smaller particles. With reference to Fig. 1 large particles are fed from a feed distributer (not shown) where the particles are distributed into a feed hopper

14. The large particles fall through hopper 14 into an annular space 16 between a bowl liner 18 and a mantle 22. The bowl liner 18 is secured to a bowl 26 which is threaded to an adjustment ring 30 which is supported, in turn, by a frame 34. The threaded interconnection of the bowl 26 and adjustment ring 30 affords adjustment of the height of the bowl 26 and bowl liner 18 relative to the adjustment ring 30 and mantle 22, thereby permitting variation of the size of the space 16 and affording accommodation of a range of particle sizes for crushing. The mantle 22 provides a crushing surface 36 and is a component of a crushing head 38. The mantle 22 is secured to the head 38 so that the crushing surface 36 faces the bowl liner 18. The head 38 is fixed to a main shaft 42. The head 38 has extending therethrough a centrally located bore 43, a lower surface 44 and, for reasons discussed below, a radially extending oil passage portion 45 communicating between the bore 43 and the lower surface 44. The main shaft 42 is eccentrically and rotatably mounted in an eccentric 46 which is, in turn, rotatably mounted in the frame 34 and which is driven by known drive means 48.

The crusher 10 also includes (Figs. 1-3) a socket 50 supported by the frame 34 in a position immediately above the eccentric 46 and below the head 38. The socket 50 surrounds the shaft 42 and eccentric 46 and has a peripheral surface 51 (shown in Fig. 3).

The crusher 10 also includes a socket liner 52 that is fixed to the upper surface of the socket 50 and that slidingly engages the lower surface 44 of the head 38. As shown is Figs. 2 and 3, the socket liner 52 has an upper surface 53, a radially outer, peripheral edge 54 and, with reference to Fig. 3, at its radially inward extent, a recessed portion 58 that provides a relief between the upper surface 53 of the socket liner 52 and the lower surface 44 of the head 38. The arrangement of the socket liner 52 and the lower surface 44 of the head 38 is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 as being slightly

separated an exaggerated amount for the purpose of clarity. As explained below, these surfaces 44, 53 define an interface and are in sliding contact during operation of the crusher 10 and a coating of oil is introduced therebetween for lubrication. In that regard, the recessed portion 58 of the liner 52 is located slightly radially inward of the point at which the oil passage portion 45 opens into the lower surface 44 of the head 38. For reasons discussed below, the crusher 10 also includes (Fig. 3) an oil retainer ring 62 that is fixed to the socket 50. The retainer ring 62 is generally annular and has an inner surface 66 that surrounds and is spaced slightly radially outwardly away from the peripher'al edge 54 of the socket liner 52. The peripheral edge 54 of the socket liner 52 and the inner surface 66 of the oil retainer ring 62 define therebetween a recess 68.

Referring now to Fig. 1, because of the eccentric mounting of the shaft 42, associated head 38 and mantle 22 within the eccentric 46, the annular space 16 between the bowl liner 18 and the mantle 22 varies about the circumference of the mantle 22 so that the space 16 constitutes a relatively large gap on one side of the mantle 22, e.g., on the right-hand side of the mantle 22 shown in Fig. 1, and a relatively small gap on the other side, e.g., left-hand side in Fig. 1, of the mantle 22. When the shaft 42 is driven, head 38 circumscribes a circular path due to the eccentric mounting of the eccentric 46, head 38 and mantle 22, thereby causing the variations of the space 16 between large and small gaps to similarly travel in an annular path. This gyrating motion of the head 38 and the mantle 22 allows the feed material to enter the annular space 16. The material is then impacted and compressed between the mantle 22 and the bowl liner 18. Also as a result of this gyration of the head 38, the lower surface 44 of the head 38 reciprocates radially and slides along the upper surface of the socket liner 52. Because the lower surface 44 of

the head 38 slidingly engages the socket liner 52, these two surfaces can become worn through operation of the crusher 10.

The crusher 10 also includes (Fig. 1) a lubrication system 70 for providing a supply of lubricant, usually oil, to the drive mechanism 48 and other areas of the crusher 10. This supply of oil is transferred from a reservoir of lubricant (shown schematically in Fig. 1 and identified by reference numeral 74) to the crusher 10 by a pump 78 (also shown schematically) and an oil uptake passage 80. Oil flows back into the reservoir 74 through a return passage 81 and filtering or cleansing means (not shown). The lubricating system 70 includes a system of oil passages, including the oil passage portion 45, to distribute oil internally of the crusher 10. In particular, the lubricating system 70 includes a centrally located oil passage portion 82, which communicates with the oil uptake passage 80 in a manner not shown, and which extends upward in the shaft 42. As best shown in Fig. 1, the central passage portion 82 has a radially extending portion 84 that is communicable with the oil passage portion 44. The lubricating system 70 also includes (Fig. 3) an oil drain 86 that has a horizontal portion 88 extending into the socket 50 and communicating with the recess 68.

A flow of oil is conducted through uptake passage 80, through central passage 82 and to oil passage portion 44. Oil is thus delivered to the interface of the lower surface 44 of the head 38 and the upper surface of the socket liner 52 by the oil passage portion 45.

A portion of the oil introduced to the interface of the socket liner 52 and head 38 drains downwardly into the recessed portion 58 of the socket liner 52, and a portion is carried radially outwardly by the relative sliding movement of the head 38 along the socket liner 52. This portion of the oil flow lubricates the interface of the head 38 and socket liner 52, and is carried to (see Figs. 2 and 3) the periphery of the

liner socket 52. Upon reaching the peripheral edge 54 of the socket liner 52, the oil drains into the recess 68. Oil collecting in the recess 68 is conducted by oil drain 86 through the socket 50 and into the interior of the crusher 10.

The lubricating system 70 also includes (Figs. 2 and 3) a vent tube 94 (shown only in Fig. 2) and a vent passage 98 communicating with the oil drain 86 and the cavity located radially outward of the socket liner 52 and underneath the head 38 for the purpose of permitting the interior of the crusher 10 to be vented and to permit flow of oil through the oil drain 86. The vent passage 98 is itself generally horizontal and is located generally below the horizontal portion of oil drain 86. In order to prevent contaminants from entering the interior of the crusher 10, and particularly the lubricating system 70, the crusher 10 includes (Fig. 2) a seal 110 located between the head 38 and the main frame 34. In general, the seal 110 includes a reservoir 114 of water surrounding the interface of the socket liner 52 and the head 38.

More particularly, the seal 110 includes a generally annular reservoir member 118 that surrounds and is fixed to the periphery 51 of the socket 50. The socket 50 and reservoir member 118 cooperate to define the water reservoir 114, which is divided into an inner channel 122 and an outer channel 126 by an annular reservoir member wall 130. The outer most extent of the reservoir member 118 defines the outer wall of the outer channel 126 and extends higher than the reservoir member wall 130.

The crusher 10 includes means (not shown) for supplying water to the reservoir 114 such that the level of water in the reservoir 118 is maintained at the level of the upper extent of the retainer member wall 130 and so that the reservoir 118 is substantially filled.

The crusher 10 also includes a water drain 134 that communicates with the outer channel 126 so that water over flowing from the inner channel 122 into the outer

channel 126 is collected and conducted to the water supply system for recirculation and filtering.

The seal 110 also includes (Fig. 2) a baffle ring 138 that is also generally annular and that is fixed to the head 38. The baffle ring 138 includes a conical shield 142 that slidingly engages the upper edge of the outer reservoir member wall 132 to provide a mechanical barrier to contaminants that may be carried under the head 38 and inward toward the socket 50. The conical shield 142 also includes a radially inner edge 146 that extends into the inner channel 122 and that dips into and remains below the surface of the water in the inner channel 122.

The seal 110 provides a barrier to air borne contaminants that may pass through the interface of shield 142 and the outer reservoir wall 132 by assuring that the inner edge 146 of the shield 142, which is impermeable, remains in contact with the reservoir of water, which is also an effective barrier to air borne contaminants. This barrier is maintained by the length and angle of the shield 142 being so designed to extend into the reservoir 116 regardless of the orientation of the head 38 relative to the socket 50 as the head 38 gyrates. Figures 4-6 illustrate a crusher 200 which is similar to the crusher 10 but that includes an improved seal assembly 204. Unless otherwise specified, the crushers 10 and 200 can be considered to be identical and similar components will be referred to by common reference numerals.

More particularly, the crusher 200 includes (Fig. 4) a seal assembly 204 surrounding the interface of the head 38 and socket liner 52 and preventing entry of contaminants to the interface. The seal assembly 204 includes an oil reservoir baffle 208 that is fixed to the peripheral surface 51 of the socket 50. The oil reservoir baffle 208 has a radially inner portion 212 that cooperates with the outer surface 51 of the socket 50 to define an oil reservoir 216 which surrounds the

entire socket 50, including the interface between the socket liner 52 and head 38. For reasons discussed below, the oil reservoir baffle 208 includes an upwardly opening groove 220 which is spaced radially outwardly from the inner portion 212 of the oil reservoir member 208.

The seal assembly 204 also includes an endless, flexible seal member 224 that is received by the groove 220. The seal member 224 is preferably of a thin-walled tubular construction and is made of a material that will be well-lubricated by oil and is highly resistant to wear. The preferred material for the seal member 224 is 60-70 Duro Nitrile.

With particular reference to Figs. 7 and 8, the seal member 224 includes a thin wall of resilient material formed into a generally tubular, elongated body 260 having opposite ends (not shown). The body 260 provides an exterior wiping surface 264 and (Fig. 4) is received by the annular groove 220 in the oil reservoir baffle 208 so that the oil reservoir baffle 208 engages and deforms the body 260 and so that a portion of the wiping surface extends outward of the groove 220. The seal member 224 is sufficiently long to occupy the entire length of the groove 220 such that the seal member 224 surrounds the interface of the head 34 and the socket liner 52.

As shown in Fig. 8, the seal member 224 has a non- circular cross section. In particular, the seal member 224 has an outer surface having squared portion 268 for mating with the configuration of the groove 220 and for making the seated engagement between the oil reservoir baffle 208 and the seal member 224 more secure.

The seal member 224 includes a plurality of ribs 272 extending from the wiping surface 264 along the length of the body 260. The ribs 272 define therebetween a plurality of elongated grooves 276 extending along the length of the body 260. The ribs 272 also define therebetween a plurality of drain passages 280 communicating between the grooves. As best

shown in Fig. 7, the drain passages 280 defined by adjacent ribs 272 are spaced apart along the length of the body 260 to form a staggered pattern of drain passages 280. The seal assembly 204 also includes a wiper ring 228 which is fixed to the head 38. The wiper ring 228 includes a conical shield 232 that slidingly engages the wiping surface 264 of the seal member 224 and provides a mechanical barrier to contaminants that may be carried under the head 38 and inward toward the interface of the socket liner 52 and head 38. The conical shield 232 also includes a radially inner edge 236 that extends into the oil reservoir 216 and that dips into and remains below the surface of the oil which is introduced to the oil reservoir 216 in a manner discussed immediately below.

The seal assembly 204, like seal 110, provides a barrier to air borne contaminants that may pass through the interface of shield 232 and the seal member 224 by assuring that the inner edge 236 of the shield 224 remains beneath the surface of oil in the oil reservoir 216, which is also an effective barrier to air borne contaminants. This barrier is maintained by the length and angle of the wiper ring 228 and shield 232 being so designed to extend into the supply of oil contained by reservoir 216 regardless of the orientation of the head 38 relative to the socket 50 as the head 38 gyrates, and to maintain contact with the seal member 224 throughout the range of motion. The wiper ring 228 maintains pressure on the seal member 224 so as to compress the seal member 224 and to help retain the seal member 224 in the oil chamber member groove 220. Thus, wiper ring 228 and the seal member 224 also form a mechanical seal to the passage of contaminants to the interface. In view of the foregoing, it will be clear that the wiper ring 228 is therefore configured differently from the baffle ring 138 to accommodate the oil reservoir baffle 208 and seal member 224.

The seal member 224 and the wiper ring 228 are in sliding contact so that oil from the reservoir 216 is carried by the shield 232 into contact with the wiping surface. The wiping surface 264 is thus lubricated by the oil reservoir 216. Excess oil carried onto the wiping surface 264 drains back into the oil reservoir 216 by the action of the ribs 272 removing oil from the shield 232 and by passage through the drain passages 280 between the ribs 272. The staggered arrangement of the drain passages 280 affords a return flow of oil to the oil reservoir 216 while also affording wiping action of the -entire shield 232 by the seal member 224.

The crusher 200 also includes lubrication means 240 for lubricating various portions of the crusher 200 including the interface between the head 38 and socket liner 52. The lubrication means 240 is also operable to introduce a supply of lubricant, such as oil, to the oil reservoir 216 and for conducting oil from the oil reservoir 216 back into the interior of the crusher 200 for recirculation and cleaning. In particular, the lubrication means 240 includes the lubrication system 70 with modifications to the crusher 10 that permit the flow of oil both to the interface of the socket liner 52 and head 38 as well as into the oil reservoir 216. One of the modifications that affords this flow of lubricant to the interface and to the oil reservoir 216 is the removal of the oil retainer ring 62 from the periphery of the socket liner 52. This removal of the retainer ring 62 eliminates the recess 68 and permits oil flowing down the peripheral edge 54 of the socket liner 52 to continue down the peripheral surface 51 of the socket past the oil drain 86. This flow of oil thus is captured by the oil reservoir 216. The lubrication means 240 thus includes a means for lubricating the interface, including a supply of lubricant, i.e., reservoir 74 and passages 80, 82, 84 and 45 communicating between the reservoir 74 and the interface to provide a flow of lubricant to the interface between the head 38 and socket liner 52. Also, by virtue of

permitting oil to flow from the interface into the oil reservoir 216, the lubrication means 240 also provides means for providing a flow of lubricant to the oil reservoir 216, which communicates with the supply 74 of lubricant.

A second modification that affords a flow of oil into the oil reservoir 216 is the removal of the vent tube 94 and the opening of the vent passage 98 so that the vent passage 98 communicates between the oil reservoir 216 through the peripheral surface 51 of the socket 50. As discussed below, oil retained by the oil reservoir 216 can flow through the passage 98 into the interior of the socket 50, and is returned to the oil supply 74 by conventional means. The lubrication means 240 thus also includes a passage communicating with the supply of lubricant, including the portion of the oil supply retained by the oil reservoir 216. Also, the lubrication means 240 includes a vent permitting drainage of lubricant through the passage 98. In particular, the drain passage 68 operates as a vent in the lubrication means 240.

The lubrication means 240 also includes a plurality of supplemental drain passages 244 that are circumferentially spaced apart about the socket 50. Each supplemental drain passage is located circumferentially between a pair of the drain passages 68 and communicates between the oil reservoir 216 and the interior of the socket 50. The supplemental passages open into the oil reservoir 216 at the desired level of oil to be retained in the socket 50 and oil reservoir baffle 208, and extend at an angle downwardly into the socket 50.

The level of oil in the oil reservoir 216 is maintained at a level above the distal inner edge 236 of the wiper ring 228 by assuring that the distal edge of the shield 232 remains below the level of oil retained by the oil reservoir 216. More particularly, the distal edge of the shield 232 remains below the openings of the vent passage 98 and supplemental drain passages 244.

The vent passage 98 and the supplemental passages 244 cooperate as a drain passage limiting the height of oil collecting in the oil reservoir 216. Excess oil collecting in the reservoir 216 passes though the vent passage 98 and supplemental passages 244 into the interior of the crusher 200. Conversely, the oil drain 86, as part of the means 240, operates as an air vent to vent the interior of the crusher 200 and to permit a flow of oil through the vent passage 98. The crusher 200 eliminates the need for providing a supply of water, which eliminates the problems associated with the contamination of the lubrication system 70 by water and vice versa, and any problems associated with freezing water. Also, the maintenance of both the water recirculation system and water supply, as well as a lubrication system and supply, is eliminated, which results in a cost savings. The seal 204 provides seal assembly members, namely the seal member 224, having a long service life, that is relatively inexpensive, and are easily replaced. One of the significant advantages of the seal assembly 204 is the possible replacement of the seal member without having to disassemble the head 38 to remove, for example, the baffle ring 138. Rather, the seal member 224 can be installed as a length of tubing and then connected to form an endless seal member.

In addition, the service life of the seal 204 is enhanced through the use of a non-metallic material for the seal member 224, which is lubricated with oil. The engagement between the shield 232 and the seal member 224 will not wear for longer periods of time by virtue of eliminating a metal on metal interface for creating a mechanical seal. Also, the seal assembly 204 and the lubrication means 240 can be easily installed on an existing crusher, such as crusher 10, through a retrofitting of the seal assembly 204 and the removal of components to result in the crusher having an oil supply means 240.

In this regard, the crusher 10 can be modified by the following method to achieve the above described advantages. In particular, a cone crusher having a lubrication system and a water seal, such as crusher 10, can be converted to a cone crusher having an oil seal, such as crusher 200, by the following steps. First, the step of removing the water reservoir from the cone crusher and, second, providing an oil reservoir assembly. The next step is to secure the oil reservoir assembly to the cone crusher to form an oil reservoir adapted to contain a supply of lubricant. Then, the next step is to provide fluid communication between the lubrication system and the oil reservoir.

More particularly, the conversion steps can further include the following procedures. The step of providing an oil reservoir assembly includes the step of providing an oil reservoir baffle, and the step of securing the oil reservoir assembly to the crusher includes the step of securing the oil reservoir baffle to the cone crusher. The step of providing an oil reservoir assembly also can include the step of providing a seal member, and the step of securing can also include the step of mounting the seal member on the oil reservoir baffle. The step of providing fluid communication between the lubrication system and the oil reservoir includes the step of removing the baffle ring from the cone crusher. In this regard, the step of providing fluid communication between the lubrication system and the oil reservoir also includes the step of providing a drain passage communicating between the lubrication system and the oil reservoir. The step of providing fluid communication between the lubrication system and the oil reservoir also includes the step of providing a vent passage communicating with the drain passage.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.