UNVEILING THE FINLAY J-1280

Finlay, global manufacturer of mobile crushing, screening, and conveying equipment, and part of the Terex Corporation, recently invited Awesome Earthmovers to the official launch of a new addition to its crusher lineup: the J-1280 Jaw Crusher. This robust and powerful machine marks a long-awaited addition to Finlay’s tracked mobile crusher range and has been strategically developed to fill the gap between two of its best-selling crushers, the J-1175 and the heavy-duty J-1480, delivering performance, transport efficiency, and versatility, as described by Finlay themselves by the strap line for the launch of this machine: “Performance Engineered for Flow”.

In 1958, founder John Finlay introduced his first mobile screening unit to UK and Irish Markets. Today, Finlay has evolved into a globally recognised brand, synonymous with innovation and reliability in mobile crushing and screening solutions.

Finlay’s global presence spans across the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. The large-scale operation is supported by dealers around the world, offering (as well as sales) rental services of conveyors, crushers and screeners. This global distribution network is also essential for ensuring timely parts and service support to Finlay customers at the local level.

Awesome Earthmovers saw the new J-1280 demonstrated in real working conditions at a quarry in Northern Ireland, the still sparkling orange paintwork looked striking amongst the dust and rubble. The crusher was being loaded by a Doosan DX530LC from a supporting Caterpillar 972M wheel loader. All machines on site were of a similar scale, the entire line working smoothly and efficiently.

The J-1280 features a large 1200mm x 820mm jaw chamber, enabling a wide gape and excellent material throughput. Despite being on the smaller end of Finlay's crusher range, it maintains the high standards of engineering and structural integrity for which the brand is known. This unit is especially beneficial for contractors working across multiple sites, as its design allows for easier transport and quicker setup/breakdown, critical factors for efficiency and cost management in modern operations.

“THIS BALANCE OF SIZE AND MOBILITY HAS BEEN A DIRECT RESPONSE TO STRONG FEEDBACK FROM THE FINLAY DISTRIBUTION NETWORK”

This new J-1280 is powered by either a Tier 3/Stage III: Caterpillar C13 engine producing 440hp at 1800rpm or a Tier 4F/Stage V Dual Certified: Scania DC13 producing 450hp at 1800rpm.

Martin Conway, Finlay’s Global Sales & Marketing Director, explained, “This balance of size and mobility has been a direct response to strong feedback from the Finlay distribution network, who emphasised the need for a lighter, more transportable model yet with the same jaw dimensions (1200x820mm) of our highest-selling units in several key regions.”

Adding to its appeal is the J-1280’s hydrostatic drive system, which distinguishes it from many competitor models. Unlike traditional direct drive crushers, the hydrostatic setup allows the jaw to operate in reverse. This reverse functionality is vital for clearing blockages safely and efficiently, reducing downtime and improving overall site safety. It also eliminates the need for time-consuming lock-out/tag-out procedures, allowing operators to maintain productivity without compromising safety due to working at height or close to the jaws.

The machine is available with three different feed-in configurations to match various site requirements: a standard vibrating grizzly feeder (VGF), a pre-screen version for fines removal, and an extended pan feeder with pre-screen for consistent material flow. This flexibility ensures that the J-1280 can be tailored to meet the needs of different needs and applications, whether in quarrying, or demolition and covering a large scope of material types.

“This latest addition to the jaw crusher lineup reflects our commitment to engineering excellence, customer feedback, and operational efficiency,” Martin Conway added. “With a focus on safety, transport efficiency, and high-performance crushing, the Finlay J-1280 is a machine built not only to meet the demands of today’s quarrying and contracting environments but to exceed them.”

Continuing a tradition of innovation, Finlay has once again delivered a machine tailored to the evolving needs of its global customer base. By prioritising performance, convenience, and smart engineering, the J-1280 sets a new standard for mobile jaw crushers in its class, powerful, practical, and built for real-world operations.

“THE FINLAY J-1280 IS A MACHINE BUILT NOT ONLY TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF TODAY’S QUARRYING AND CONTRACTING ENVIRONMENTS BUT TO EXCEED THEM”