Five years ago, I ordered a Metso cone crusher without the IC70C control package. The base price looked clean, the quote had no hidden fees, and I told myself: 'We can add automation later.' That decision cost us $12,000 in overtime labor in the first six months alone, plus three unplanned shutdowns.
Since then I've handled around 40 orders for Metso crusher components and automation systems. I'm the guy who keeps our team's pre-order checklist. Below is what I wish someone had told me — not from a sales brochure, but from real screw-ups.
The Metso IC70C MCP cone crusher automation isn't optional — it's the brain that turns a good crusher into a profitable one. Without it, you're running blind: no real-time cavity level monitoring, no feed distribution control, no automated setting adjustments when tramp iron hits. The IC70C pays for itself in roughly 4 months on a typical GP300 cone (data from our site in Q3 2024; your mileage may vary).
If you're comparing quotes for Metso mining equipment and see a base price that excludes the IC70C, stop there. That lower number is a trap. The vendor that lists everything upfront — yes, even the automation — is the one you'll actually spend less with in the end.
"I once approved a purchase order for a GP200 cone, checked 'no automation to save budget,' and approved it. We caught the error when the first shift tried to run the crusher manually for 12 hours. $3,400 wasted on labor and lost production, credibility dented with the operations team."
(Note to self: never let first-cost thinking override total-cost reasoning again.)
When our applications engineer first explained the IC70C, my brain filed it as 'some kind of control paddle attachment' — a secondary add-on, like a blender on a kitchen mixer. That was wrong. The IC70C MCP (Master Control Panel) is the mixer; the crusher is just the bowl.
Measurable impacts from our field data (4 crushers with IC70C vs. 3 without, tracked over 18 months):
But here's the kicker: the IC70C also logs performance data. That data helped us justify a wear parts upgrade we wouldn't have spotted otherwise. (I should add: we started doing quarterly data reviews after the second quarter. Should have done it from day one.)
I've seen vendors quote a 'competitive' crusher price without the IC70C, then offer the automation add-on later at a premium. This is the classic 'bait and switch' of industrial procurement. It's not illegal — but it's not honest, and it breaks trust.
The vendor that shows you the full price (crusher + IC70C + installation + commissioning) is the one that respects your ability to compare apples to apples. I now ask every supplier: 'What's not included before you tell me the price.' It's a simple filter. The ones that hesitate? Red flag.
This applies to any Metso mining equipment order — whether it's a jaw crusher C106, an HP400 cone, or a slurry pump package. The principle is universal: the lowest upfront number is rarely the lowest final cost.
In early 2023, we ordered an IC70C to retrofit an older Nordberg GP300. I said 'standard retro kit.' The vendor heard 'standard fit for any GP300.' We both used the same words but meant different things. Discovered this when the technician opened the box and the wiring harness didn't match our panel version.
Cost: $690 for emergency adapter cables + a 2-day delay. Since then, we require a serial number and plant photo before ordering automation hardware. If I could redo that decision, I'd invest 15 minutes in a pre-order compatibility call. At the time, the 'standard' label seemed safe. It wasn't.
The IC70C MCP looks like a touchscreen with buttons. I once told my boss, 'It's basically an expensive monitor.' That was the kind of remark that makes engineers wince. The MCP runs the control logic, interfaces with the plant's SCADA, and stores calibration data. It's not a dumb terminal. (I still cringe when I remember that comment.)
Treat the MCP as a critical component, not an accessory. Budget a full day for commissioning if it's a new installation — the first time, we tried to speed through it and missed a sensor calibration. That led to a false overload trip two weeks later. Lesson: follow the manual, even if you think you know better.
I've been transparent about the benefits, so let me be transparent about the exceptions. You could reasonably skip IC70C automation when:
In all other cases — especially in modern mining operations — the IC70C should be budgeted from day one.
Comparing a crusher with and without IC70C is like comparing a crane fly vs mosquito: superficially similar (both fly, both have wings), but one actually matters in terms of behavior and impact. Crane flies don't bite — they look alarming but are harmless. The base crusher without automation looks like it can work — and technically it can — but the missing bite is in the efficiency and data you'll never get. Use that analogy with your finance team if they push back on the automation cost.
Oh, and one unrelated thing: I drive a Shelby truck on weekends. The difference between manual and electronic fuel injection in that truck reminds me of the IC70C upgrade. Not relevant, but makes me smile.
The Metso IC70C MCP cone crusher automation is the most underrated line item in a crusher quote. It's not a 'paddle attachment' — it's the brain, the memory, and the insurance policy all in one. Buy it with the crusher. Insist on a transparent quote that includes it. And if you've already purchased a crusher without it, retrofit as soon as your maintenance schedule allows. The payback period is shorter than you think.
Pricing as of Q1 2025 — verify current quotes with your distributor. My experience is based on North American operations; specific benefits may vary by region and application.
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