Abstract: A drive system for driving a crusher of a material crusher plant having a main drive and a power transfer unit driven by the main drive, wherein the power transfer unit drives at least one generator and a first hydraulic pump which is connected to the power transfer unit in a shiftable manner. It is provided that a shiftable fluid coupling is installed in the transmission path from the power transfer unit to the crusher, that the shiftable fluid coupling and a pump are interconnected in a fluid conveying manner in a pump circuit and that a fluid can be supplied to the shiftable fluid coupling by means of the pump. A method of operating such a crusher is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for driving a crusher of a material crusher plant having a main drive and a power transfer unit driven by the main drive, wherein the power transfer unit drives at least one generator and a first hydraulic pump which is connected to the power transfer unit in a shiftable manner. It is provided that a shiftable fluid coupling is installed in the transmission path from the power transfer unit to the crusher, that the shiftable fluid coupling and a pump are interconnected in a fluid conveying manner in a pump circuit and that a fluid can be supplied to the shiftable fluid coupling by means of the pump. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a crusher. The drive system permits a gentle operation of the crusher at a small number of required components.