Historically, spider bushing cone crushers have a reputation for being sensitive to harder materials and demanding applications.
“Those are the things you hear, but we've installed in some pretty hard material,” says Jarrod Adcock, crushing product manager at Superior. “For example, a recent setup in Missouri handled some tough traprock, and the experienced producer was very satisfied with its performance.”
According to Adcock, the choice of an Endeavor Spider Bushing Cone versus a Patriot® Bushing or a Dakota® Bearing Cone often comes down to familiarity.
Unveiled at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in 2023, the Endeavor Cone fills an important gap in Superior’s crushing line.
The SS300 and SS400 models were developed to meet producer demand for high-capacity cones that combine big feed size capability with lower horsepower requirements, while the ST300 and ST400 models produce a consistent product shape with less fines generation.
“The automation protects the cone at all costs," Adcock says. "At the same time, we’ve worked hard to minimize the typical service challenges that can come with this style of cone.”
With fewer critical parts, Endeavor Cones offer end users a servicing edge, particularly versus the roller bearing style that demands stricter dust control when disassembling a cone.
“The Endeavor Cone is the most straightforward of the three cone types to maintain, which helps teams stay productive without adding extra maintenance burdens.”
Parts Availability Moves Machines
Still, parts are eventually required for spider bushing cones too. That’s one area where Superior’s been gaining an advantage.
“We’ve been winning over some traditional Sandvik users based on our parts availability,” Adcock says. “It's a key selling point we're taking into every Endeavor Cone opportunity.”
Jeff Gray agrees that parts availability is a factor working in Superior’s favor.
“In the early stages of a product line, it often takes a larger inventory of parts—and sometimes even whole machines—to support the market,” says Gray, equipment sales director. “That's not always easy for a dealer to justify when installs are gaining momentum, but haven’t reached the volume that makes added stock practical.”
In this case, strong manufacturer support is essential to help a cone style less familiar to end users gain traction.
“To compete, it comes down to brand presence, availability, and price,” Gray says. “More often than not, availability matters most."
That's why there are currently about a half dozen Endeavor Cones in stock at Superior and a warehouse full of parts.
Dealer support is critical to the success of a product that’s somewhat new to many end users, but you don't have to go it alone.
“We’ll stand alongside dealers to give them and their customers the comfort they need,” says Gray.
He explains that the concern is often about backup support if an issue arises. To address that, assurances can be put in place such as spare components, loaner crushers to keep production running, or a custom warranty program.
“We’ll build personalized packages that give customers the security and support they expect,” Gray adds.
Several wins in the Northeast United States through EESSCO show the approach paying off.
“With their background running Sandvik cones, they understand how this style operates, how it shines, and how to apply it in nearly every application,” Gray says.
Whether it comes from the dealer or with support from Superior, that experience matters, because producers often go decades between cone purchases. They may not recognize what they’re missing.
“It's possible they don't understand how modern automation protects the crusher or why fewer components make this cone simpler to operate,” Gray adds.
Once producers see the difference—and see the results from dealers like EESSCO—the future for Endeavor Cones looks bright.