Mining & Quarry - Bucket - Counter blades - Mobile equipment - France - +87% lifetime

Objective

Compare the performance of Creusabro^® Dual against standard 450 HB Max Temp blades in a quarry counterblade application, with the goal of increasing durability and reducing maintenance interruptions under aggressive wear conditions.

Test Conditions

• Location: Sand and gravel pit in France operated by Malet

• Environment: High-frequency abrasive loading cycles, typical of wheel loader operations in loose and sharp-edged aggregates.

• Function: Counterblades on a CAT 972G loader bucket, exposed to continuous scraping, loading, and impact with sand and gravel.

• Original material: Max Temp blade steel (approx. 450 HB hardness)

• Replacement material: Creusabro® Dual, processed by plasma cutting, drilling, and countersinking.

Results

• The original Max Temp blades reached a wear life of 680 hours before replacement.

• The Creusabro® Dual counterblades have exceeded 850 hours and are still in operation, indicating a +87% improvement in wear life at the current point in the test.

• The installation process remained unchanged, with easy integration into the existing equipment setup.

Value Delivered

• Extended Wear Life: Already +87% improvement — with potential for further gains as the part is still performing.

• Reduced Maintenance Frequency: Longer intervals between replacements save labor, increase equipment uptime, and reduce part inventory.

• Excellent Impact and Abrasion Resistance: Ideal for mixed loading conditions involving fine and coarse materials.

• Straightforward Fabrication & Fitting: Creusabro® Dual was easily processed and installed using standard methods.

Conclusion

By switching to Creusabro® Dual, the Malet sand & gravel operation significantly improved the durability of its loader bucket counterblades — already achieving an 87% increase in service life, with continued performance expected.

Creusabro® Dual demonstrates its strength in quarry environments where both abrasion and impact resistance are essential for extending component lifespan and improving operating costs.

Comparative test