The Technology of Cutting Edges

TEJ PANESAR, Director of Operations – TSP Group of Companies provides a report on the technology of cutting edges.

The humble inefficient Cutting Edge has not had much change over many decades…why? Did we just give in to what was on offer? Equipment manufacturers have had massive advances in operational technology and comfort but the developments in Cutting Edges missed out.

One basic question remains out of focus:

Why do Customers spend so much money on Front End Loaders, Excavators, Backhoe Loaders and Skid-Steers; primarily to push the BUCKET into the dirt for digging, loading, levelling etc?

The focus should therefore be on the Cutting Edges and Wear Parts of the bucket. This is what will protect the customer’s investment in equipment and maintain bucket integrity.

Cutting Edges are among the most expensive repeat replacement wear item but only about two-thirds of the Cutting Edge purchased is useful material in most cases. Cutting Edges for quarry loaders are too heavy for in-field replacement. The technology that imparts better life and many associated benefits are often just put in the too-hard-basket and this has further reduced the incentive to  develop better cutting edges. The efficiency of the bucket is already compromised in so many ways by patch solutions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Additional Treatments: Water resistant coating and Thermal treatments are also used to enhance the life of Cutting Edges
• Wear resistant deposits: Tungsten Carbide is the most popular deposit while Chromium Carbide is also used. High Wear resistant strips/blocks (Wear resistant material Pre-deposited on mild steel) and Hard- facing using Wear deposit electrodes/Wire spools are also being used to further enhance the life of cutting edges though they increase load on the equipment.

• Thermal  treatments:   Various thermal treatments as summarised below are used to stabilise / improve the material structure, toughness and hardness.

• Annealing: Heating then slow cooling process to induce ductility, soften material, relieve internal stresses

• Case Hardening: Infuse elements into the material’s surface, forming a thin layer of a harder alloy on top with soft core

• Through Hardening: Harden the whole thickness of Steel

• Tempering: “Toughen” the brittle metal by controlled reheating of the work piece to a temperature below its lower critical temperature and holding it there for a while in inert conditions.

• Quenching: Rapid cooling of a work-piece to obtain certain properties e.g. it can reduce crystallinity and thereby increase toughness

• Cryogenics: Sub zero treatment at molecular level

• Designs: While the  contemporary Cutting Edges with minimal improvements have been explained above, we will like to draw attention to TEDGE ( Our proprietary product):

It allows multiple configurations of edge set-up based on material handled and season in which used. On the same Loader TEDGE can be used in straight or tooth pattern with no change to mold board (see below).

 

 

 

The key advantages of the TEDGE design can be summarised as below:

Easier penetration due to the staggered (tooth) configuration

This reduces load on Engine and transmission which influences fuel savings and reduction in maintenance costs, It also improves bucket fill.

TEDGE sits flat on ground even in Tooth configuration

The whole TEDGE sits flat on the ground even when in tooth-pattern mode (the only Cutting Edge to do so), this eliminates need for lip shrouds. It also protects the Loader tyres from damage due to sharp quarry stones that would otherwise slip between standard teeth and bucket.

Mold Board Protection at all times:

TEDGE covers and protects the complete Mold board as opposed to traditional Teeth that cover only 20%.

Wears flat and cleans on forward stroke (no back-blading needed)
Collects material in forward movement towards stockpile thus cleans working floor automatically.

This cleaner floor protects the Loader tyres from cuts. It also promotes flat wear of TEDGE.

 

Flexibility  of on-site edge rotation  to even out wear: This is a big OH&S advantage with no need for specialist manpower or special equipment. You only move part of the edge not the whole edge.

Increased replacement life of the cutting edge

This reduces Cost per hour of Operation, Increased Unit Up-time, reduced stoppage to replace Edges and it is easier to plan of ordering replacements.

Use the final left over pieces as ready-to-use  wear plates:

This allows 100% usage of TEDGE purchased giving full value for money spent and become environmentally responsible.

 

In summary it can be said that a good  Cutting  Edge is the combination  of Efficient Design, Toughness and High Wear Resistance.

 

 

 

 

 

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