Is the Sandvik 660 Cone Crusher Worth the Investment? A Procurement Manager’s Take on TCO and Dealer Selection

Sandvik Equipment Procurement: Your FAQs Answered

Look, when you're managing a budget for a mid-sized mining operation, every equipment purchase feels like a bet. You're not just buying a machine; you're locking in costs for parts, service, and downtime for years. I've spent the last 6 years tracking every invoice for our rock processing division—analyzing $180,000 in cumulative spending. So when someone asks about the Sandvik 660 cone crusher or finding a good Sandvik dealer, I have some strong opinions. Here are the questions I get asked most, and the answers I wish someone had given me.

Q: Is the Sandvik 660 cone crusher really that much better than the CH660? What's the pricing difference?

Honestly, the model numbers are confusing. The Sandvik 660 cone crusher is essentially the next generation of the CH660. The core crushing chamber is similar, so the basic mechanical specs are comparable. But the 660 has updated automation and a smarter Hydroset system for setting adjustment. In my experience, that upgrade is way more valuable than you'd expect.

In Q2 2024, when we were comparing quotes, Vendor A quoted the new 660 at $[PRICE] and Vendor B quoted the CH660 at $[LOWER PRICE]. I almost went with Vendor B. The difference was about 18% on the base unit.

But then I did the TCO calculation.

• Vendor A (660): $[PRICE] (base) + included commissioning + free first-year parts kit.
• Vendor B (CH660): $[LOWER PRICE] (base) + $4,200 for commissioning + $2,800 for a first-year parts kit.

Suddenly, the 660 was actually cheaper. The 'savings' on the CH660 were hidden in the fine print of the add-on services. That's a classic cost control trap. It's tempting to think you can just compare unit prices. But identical specs from different vendors can result in wildly different outcomes. (Source: based on actual quotes received, Jan 2024; verify current pricing).

Q: How do I find a good Sandvik dealer? What should I look for?

I have mixed feelings about dealer selection. On one hand, a bad dealer can ruin a perfectly good machine. On the other, the best dealer isn't always the one with the lowest price on the crusher.

When searching for a Sandvik dealer near me, don't just look for the base price. I've learned to ask 'what's NOT included' before 'what's the price.' I now use a checklist:

1. Parts availability: Do they have a Sandvik parts online portal? What's their stock rate on wear parts for the 660 cone crusher?
2. Service response time: Can they guarantee a technician within 24 hours? If not, consider the risk.
3. Financing: Do they offer financing, or are they just a pass-through?

In 2023, I had to make a decision in 2 hours because of a project deadline. Normally I'd get multiple quotes, but there was no time. I went with a dealer I had an established relationship with, even though their quote was 5% higher. The trust I had in their service saved us from a potential week of downtime later. In hindsight, I should have pushed back on the timeline. But with the deadline looming, I made the call with incomplete information. It worked out, but it was stressful.

Q: Is it true that Sandvik parts are overpriced? Is there a cheaper alternative?

That's a loaded question. Basically, it's a trade-off. You can buy genuine Sandvik crushers parts, or go with aftermarket alternatives. The 'always get three quotes' advice ignores the transaction cost of vendor evaluation and the value of established relationships.

I've tracked our parts spending. Genuine parts are probably 30-40% more expensive on the shelf. But in my experience, aftermarket parts are more likely to fail, especially for the high-wear components in the rock processing equipment. I'm not 100% sure, but I think I've seen a 15-20% increase in unplanned downtime when we used aftermarket liners on our CH660. That downtime cost us way more than the parts savings.

For critical components like the main frame or eccentric for a sandvik 660 cone crusher, I stick with OEM. For something like a simple conveyor belt scraper? Maybe look at alternatives. Don't hold me to this, but the savings were probably in the $500-800 range per year on that—not worth the risk for the crusher parts.

Q: You mentioned 'Decky Loader'? Is that a Sandvik product? I'm confused.

Yeah, this is a common mix-up in our industry. I believe the term 'decky loader' is a colloquialism or a brand name for a type of loader, but it's not a standard Sandvik product line. You'll see Sandvik mining loaders, scale loaders, and battery electric loaders, but 'decky' isn't a term I've seen in their official catalog. Some smaller, local brands might be called that.

Honestly, when someone asks me about a 'decky loader,' I tell them to be specific about the application. What are you actually loading? If you need a sandvik mining and rock solutions loader, you need to talk to a proper Sandvik dealer with the right spec sheet. Don't fall for a generic term that might obscure the actual equipment. It's likely just a minor misconception.

Q: How do I get a good deal on a Sandvik tool? Like a 'tongue scraper' or something for maintenance?

(Laughs) Okay, you got me. A 'tongue scraper' is not a piece of mining equipment. That's a dental hygiene tool. You might be thinking of a tongue scraper for cleaning a washing machine, or more likely a how to clean washing machine front loader issue. That's not in my domain. But for actual Sandvik construction tools? That's a different story.

For consumable tools like drill bits or scraper blades, the procurement strategy is different. The TCO formula is simple: (Price of tool / Tool life in hours) + Tool change time cost. A cheaper tool that lasts half as long is never a good deal. The vendor who lists all fees upfront—even if the total looks higher—usually costs less in the end.

For our quarterly orders of drill bits, I always ask for a full quote including the carbide scrap value. It's a small thing, but cumulatively, it's real money. The 'cheap' option resulted in a $1,200 redo when quality failed on a project last year. Simple as that.