1 – Watch Grader Speed

Avoid high speeds which accelerate wear andreduce control. For haul road maintenance theideal speed is between 5-16km/h. Neverexceed 16km/h and aim for around 10km/h forbest results.

Excessive speed when operating a motor grader can lead to several issues, including bouncing, damaged surfaces, increased fuel consumption, and operator fatigue.

2 – Hardface edges

Hardfacing grader edges extends blade life, especially in abrasive conditions. The key is to ensure you find the right balance between cost and wear life. This may require some finetuning but the ROI can be significant especially for mines with high grader GET turnover.

3 – Vary blade positioning

Rather than keep the moldboard pitched forward to view the cutting edge an experience operator keeps the top of the blade slightly forward of the cutting edge, pitching the blade forward only when it’s neccesary to make the cut. The operator should also periodically change blade angles forward and back to even out the wear and maintain the blade sharpness.

4 – Keep operation smooth

For the best grading results it is important to keep approach speeds sensible and avoid jerky motions to help minimise stress on the blade and prevent shock loads that can damage other parts of the motor grader. Smooth operation will also prevent unnecessary fuel consumption.

5 – Replace GET at the right time

As a general rule grader GET should be changed out after the width of the blade loses 3.5cm.Running blades beyond this wear point can damage the moldboard, increase fuel consumption and put unnecessary pressure on the frame and drive chain. The cost to replace blades is nothing compared to other expensive componentry on the motor grader.

6 – Swap GET blade positions

During your scheduled maintenance it is important to review if any grader edges in the set are wearing excessively. If you find any blades worn more than others swap the blade position to a lower wearing area at the earliest opportunity. This can extend the life of your set of grader blades significantly. Additionally, if the grader operator is not evenly wearing the GET it can offer a great opportunity for training or upskilling to improve skillset.

7 – Operate within the machine operating parameters

For the best results it is vital that grader operators work safely and within the operating parameters. This means adhering to all pre-operation and operation guidelines to maximise the life of the motor grader. Key areas include proper blade settings, maintain rolling action, control downward pressure, avoid turning on a slope and being aware of surroundings.

8 – Protect the moldboard

Overworn or misaligned edges can cause moldboard damage. It is important to protect the moldboard through a variety of strategies:

• Regular scheduled maintenance
• Maintain sharp cutting edges
• Appropriate operating techniques
• Cleaning and lubrication

9 – Select the right blade

When choosing the right blade it is important to consider a variety of factors to help determine the right blade for the work you are carrying out:

• Road conditions
• Desired grade quality
• Type of grading work required
• Compatibility with motor grader
• Wear life desired
• Width, thickness, length required
• Flat, curved, serrated blade type

Most mines have a good idea of the best blade configurations which allows them to easily procure the best style of blade to suit their conditions.

10 – Use a trusted supplier

A reliable supplier is vital to ensure you receive the
following:

• Stock on time, every time
• The best quality grader blades available
• The best wear hours to suit your needs
• The latest GET technology available
• Aftersales and onsite support when needed

Mining companies can’t afford unscheduled downtime so it is vital that inventory is proactively managed to ensure no supply bottlenecks. Plasma Wear Parts is a specialist aftermarket grader GET supplier. Our blades are made Australian Mining Tough. Find out why:

Contact us today:

Regan Woolley – Owner

Mobile – 0450 372 229

Email – sales@plasmawearparts.com.au

TOUGHER BLADES, SMARTER MINING!