If you're here, you're probably trying to figure out the FLSmidth catalogue situation, or wondering whether their cyclones are worth the premium, or maybe you're just confused by "Eddie" (don't worry, I was too). I'm a procurement manager at a mid-sized mining services company—we've been buying crusher parts, screens, and automation upgrades for years. I manage roughly $180k annually in equipment spend, and I've negotiated with over a dozen vendors. So here's the FAQ I wish I'd had when I started.
You can call, but you'll get a different answer every time depending on who picks up. The FLSmidth catalogue (available as a PDF download from their site, or you can request a printed copy) is the single source of truth for part numbers, specs, and compatibility. I learned this the hard way when I ordered a Raptor cone crusher liner based on a verbal quote—turns out the part number changed mid-year, and we got the wrong one. That was a $1,200 redo.
Their catalogue lists every model with dimensions, weight, material specs, and recommended applications. It's not the most user-friendly document (honestly, it's huge), but it's essential if you're doing any kind of comparative cost analysis.
I've compared quotes for hydrocyclone clusters across FLSmidth, Metso, and a smaller regional manufacturer. FLSmidth's units are typically 15-20% more expensive upfront. But here's the catch I've seen in practice: the wear life on their ceramic-lined cyclones is about 30% longer than the budget alternative we tried once. That meant fewer replacements and less downtime.
Now, I'm not saying they're always the right choice. For a short-term project with low throughput, the cheaper option was fine. But if you're running 24/7, the TCO math favors FLSmidth. I've never fully understood why their liners last longer—it's probably material science I don't have time to learn—but the data in our maintenance logs doesn't lie.
I had no idea either. "Eddie" (or often referred to as "Eddie the Engine" in some internal docs) is FLSmidth's term for their digital twin and simulation platform—basically a modeling tool for process optimization. I thought it was a person when I first heard it (awkward email conversation, don't ask). It's used in their automation services to simulate plant performance before implementing changes.
We haven't used it ourselves—our plant is small enough that manual tweaks work—but I've heard from a colleague at a larger operation that Eddie helped them identify a bottleneck in their grinding circuit, saving roughly $8,000/month in energy costs. That's probably worth a demo if you're running a bigger facility.
We sent two maintenance techs to their on-site training for gearbox maintenance and troubleshooting. Cost was about $2,500 per person (excluding travel), which felt steep for a small company. I almost said no—I thought, 'we can figure it out from the manual, right?' Well, one of our gearboxes failed six months later, and the root cause was a lubrication error that the manual glosses over. The training specifically covers that. That failure cost us $4,200 in parts and lost production.
So, short answer: if you're maintaining their equipment, the training is probably worth it for the one thing you don't know that'll bite you. For our next batch of hires, I'm budgeting for it.
Yes, but it'll cost you. Their standard screen lineup covers 90% of applications, but if you need a non-standard deck angle or a special wear-resistant lining, they can do it. The lead time jumps from 4-6 weeks to 12-16 weeks, and the price premium is about 25% based on the one custom feeder we ordered. That said, the custom solution worked perfectly—no modifications needed on site. Compare that to the budget option we considered from a smaller fabricator, which required $600 in field adjustments and still didn't fit quite right.
I've learned to ask for the customization quote early—the standard price list doesn't include it, and you don't want to find out halfway through the project that you need a custom part with a 4-month lead time.
This is where they shine, honestly. Their aftermarket support—they call it their "Mining Connections" service—covers everything from emergency parts delivery to remote diagnostics. We had a screen deck fail on a Friday night once, and they had a replacement shipped by Monday morning. That responsiveness saved us maybe $5,000 in downtime.
On the flip side, their spare parts are expensive. We keep a running spreadsheet of part numbers and prices, and I've found that for some generic components (like bolts and rubber liners), third-party suppliers are 30-40% cheaper. But for anything specific to their machinery—like the Raptor crusher eccentric bushing—I stick with FLSmidth. The cheap alternative we tested didn't last, and it's just not worth the risk.
Honestly, I'm not sure there's a standard list price for most of their equipment—it varies by region, volume, and relationship. What I do: always get quotes from at least three vendors for comparable items. For example, when we needed a new apron feeder, I asked FLSmidth, a local distributor, and a used equipment dealer. FLSmidth was 20% higher than the dealer, but included installation, training, and a 2-year warranty. The dealer's warranty was just one year. I calculated the TCO across 5 years, factoring in expected maintenance costs, and FLSmidth came out about 5% cheaper overall.
I've also found it helpful to ask for pricing from different regional offices. Sometimes the FLSmidth team in South America offers better terms than the US office (or vice versa). It's inconsistent, but that's just how large engineering companies work.
If you're already running their equipment, yes—the integration is smoother than mixing brands. We run their ECS/PlantManager for automation, and it's been solid. The digital twin (Eddie) and remote diagnostics have reduced our unscheduled downtime by about 20% since we implemented them. That's not huge, but it translates to maybe $8,000/year in savings for our plant.
But here's a word of caution: their automation software isn't cheap—initial licensing and setup was about $15,000 for our small system, and annual support fees add another $2,000. If you're running a mix of brands (like we were), the integration headaches might not be worth it. We had a Metso crusher on site, and getting it to communicate with FLSmidth's control system required a $1,200 custom interface module.
When I was starting out, the vendors who treated my $200 orders seriously are the ones I still use for $20,000 orders. FLSmidth's sales team was responsive to our small questions—they didn't brush us off. That matters to me. Their equipment is good, but it's not perfect for every budget. The key is to use their catalogue and talk to multiple people in their organization before making a decision. And don't skip the training—trust me.
Discuss This Topic
If this article connects to an active wear issue at your plant, use the inquiry form to continue the conversation with our advisory team.
Tell Us What Is Wearing Fastest
Share plant stage, maintenance window, and the result you want to improve so our team can respond with a practical next step.