Ground Engaging Tools - Vital Components for Construction Equipment
Ground engaging tools (GET) refer to any components on construction equipment or heavy machinery that come into direct contact with the ground. These include bucket teeth, hammer teeth, ripper shanks, road planer cutter picks and more. As the name suggests, GET play a vital role in enabling earthmoving, material handling, demolition and other ground-related operations. Though often overlooked, they have a significant impact on the productivity, efficiency and overall ownership costs of equipment. This article discusses the different types of GET, their functions, material choices and maintenance best practices.
Bucket Teeth - The Frontline Workers
Bucket teeth are attachments fitted on excavator and loader buckets to dig, scoop and move soils, aggregates and debris. Ground Engaging Tools They are subjected to immense stresses from constant digging, impact loads and abrasion. Teeth come in various profiles - convex, straight or concave - suited for different applications like digging rocks, clay or loose soil. High carbon alloy steel is the most common material due to its strength and resistance to wear. Tungsten carbide teeth are also used for their extra hardness and longer life in tough conditions. Proper replacement and maintenance of teeth is crucial as worn teeth reduce diggability and require higher operating efforts from machines.
Ripper Shanks - For Heavy-duty Ripping
Rippers are mounted on bulldozers, excavators or large loaders to break hard compacted ground and root out stumps. They have rugged V-shaped or chisel-type shanks made from hardened alloy steel. The shanks receive enormous impact forces during ripping and endure extreme abrasion from rocks and debris. Tungsten carbide shanks are often used for ripping hard soil or quarry applications due to their superior strength and six times longer wear life. Regular replacement of worn shanks is important to maintain ripping productivity and efficiency of machines.
Road Planers - Precision Surface Finishing
Road planers or milling machines play a key role in road construction and resurfacing projects. They smooth and profile existing asphalt surfaces using a revolving drum fitted with hardened cutter picks. Picks made from tungsten carbide or specially heat-treated alloy steel are durable enough to last through the high-impact, abrasive milling process. Pick geometry and configuration on drums are engineered for optimised milling performance. Timely replacement of damaged picks prevents profile and grade errors during resurfacing. Proper GET maintenance allows road planers to precisely mill hundreds of lane-kms during their lifespan.
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