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blade egdes

The Learner ยท 2014-01-21 00:56

is it common for the blade cutting edges on mini excavators (up to 5ton) to break off and or snap seems to be becoming more common for the machines in my company

Replies8
  1. #1Ronsii2014-01-21 01:09

    I haven't seen any breaking off, what are they doing when it breaks?

  2. #2The Learner2014-01-21 01:19

    im not sure im an apprentice at dealer x and when the machines come in for service the cutting edge is broken and missing any where from a foot too half a blade worth

  3. #3Canadian_digger2014-01-21 18:38

    Are they welded on or bolted?

  4. #4John C.2014-01-21 19:37

    I've seen them busted on mini excavators because an operator hooks the edge with the bucket. The usual failure though is the edge gets worn off to the point that the base metal behind the edge breaks through the welding. When that happens the blade fills up with dirt and then starts busting up the blade body. What are you welding back on for the repair?

  5. #5Lil' Puss2014-01-21 22:29

    I'm guessing they are being used on caliche or in a rock garden.

  6. #6sheepfoot2014-01-22 00:32

    I have a chip out of our E50 bobcat straight blade, power-tilt with a 54" cleanout bucket caught it on the end with the bucket side cutter while digging across a mud filled storm water pond. I have also seen a lot of the small trackhoes with blades with edges that have chipped/cracked/broken. There was no question what happened with our machine because (I) was in the seat and glad it did not come through the windshield when it chipped off.

  7. #7The Learner2014-01-22 01:21

    canadian digger- they are welded on john c.- they should be worn out... all cases i have seen the edge has been broken off before 500hrs as for replacement i believe it is bisalloy or another form of wear material lil' puss- it could well be in a rock environment, but the blade edge should see life more than 500hrs after-all its a stability blade or backfill blade to make them more versatile sheepfoot- your case of pulling it off with the bucket may well be a common cause for it

  8. #8fsmech2014-01-22 06:45

    Have seen this on a 311cat before, due to the hardening of the steel it can't handle any shock loading, like hitting two hammers together. (don't try it!) it was caused by hooking the bucket under the edge and dropping the weight if the machine on it. Thats what happened in this photo. Chunk missing is the same width as a bucket tooth!Just operator error, but costly as can not just replace the one edge if the others are worn