Where it all began: The birth of the Metso Nordberg® C Series™ jaw crushers

Setting bold goals 

In August 1974, Harri Lehtonen, together with a small team of engineers, set out to rethink jaw crusher design. The targets were ambitious: measure and understand crushing forces, improve balance and efficiency, simplify structures, and develop a modular design that could serve multiple applications. 

The project quickly gained momentum thanks to the support of design director Kalevi Kokkila, who brought deep expertise in modular product development, and sales manager Holger Andersson, who understood what customers would need in the future. From the very beginning, it was clear: this was going to be one of the most significant product development projects in the company’s history. 

From prototypes to breakthroughs 

The first prototypes were built and tested in the field between 1974 and 1976. The C80-80, with serial number 1176, was sent to Oripää in Finland in November 1974 for real-world trials. Shortly after, more models followed: the C80-55 in May 1975, the C100 in July 1976, and the C63-44 in September of the same year. 

These early prototypes were put through rigorous testing, both at customer sites and in cooperation with the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). Engineers measured stress, power consumption, and flywheel dynamics, sometimes in harsh field conditions. The experiments weren’t always smooth. One prototype even had a square-shaped feed opening that looked promising on paper but quickly proved impractical in reality. Still, every trial brought invaluable insights. 

A modular revolution in design 

What made the new crushers different was their modular, bolted frame structure. Earlier welded designs had suffered from fatigue resistance issues, but the new approach provided greater strength, reliability, and flexibility. The crushers were also significantly lighter, on average 30% less weight than comparable models, while maintaining performance. 

The geometry of the crushing chamber was carefully optimized, using some of the company’s first computer-aided calculations. In fact, in the mid-1970s, Lokomo acquired its first computer, allowing engineers like Lehtonen to develop custom programs for chamber analysis. This leap into digital design made it possible to fine-tune parameters for better efficiency, capacity, and product shape. 

By rationalizing machining needs and leveraging the in-house foundry’s expertise in special steel castings, the crushers became not only lighter but also easier to manufacture at scale. 

Official launch: the C Series is born 

In 1976, after years of prototyping and testing, the new crushers were officially introduced as the C Series. The initial lineup included the C63, C80, CL80, and CL100, with the larger C160 available on request. 

These machines were built for efficiency: higher rotational speeds, optimized crushing geometry, and durable wear parts meant better throughput, improved cubicity of the end product, and lower energy consumption. At the same time, maintenance was made simpler. Patented adjustment mechanisms, long-lasting toggle plates, and improved lubrication systems reflected a deep understanding of customer needs. 

A milestone for Lokomo and beyond 

The launch of the C Series was more than just a product release; it was a statement. As marketing manager Jaakko Heinämäki said in 1976, “If we succeed in marketing, we put both Lokomo and Finland on the world map as a manufacturer of mobile machines and crushers.” 

History has proven him right. The C Series has since become a global benchmark for jaw crushers, with thousands of units installed worldwide. Its influence extends far beyond the first prototypes of the 1970s, shaping decades of innovation and customer success. 

Legacy of the pioneers 

Behind the success were dedicated engineers, foundry workers, salespeople, and test crews who braved cold quarries and long hours to measure, tweak, and improve. Their work turned bold ideas into a modular, efficient, and reliable crusher series that would stand the test of time. 

From the first prototype in Oripää in 1974 to a worldwide standard in the decades that followed, the C Series jaw crushers represent a true milestone in Metso’s history - a testament to innovation, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of better solutions for the customers.