The biggest wheel loader bucket in China

The first bucket is being used with one of Joy Global’s wheel loaders in the Eastern Open Pit Mine in Shuozhou, Shanxi, which is the biggest coal producing area of China. As the strategic partner and bucket supplier of the end-user, XCMG knew that to meet the end-user’s requirement and to have better performance in the coal mine, a bucket must stand up to tough working conditions and have maximum lifetime.

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“The original bucket had worn out and the end-user needed a reliable replacement. We have been using Hardox wear plate and Strenx high strength steel for years, but it’s the first time that we worked together with SSAB’s K1 service center in Kunshan. After having the design drawings of the bucket, K1 developed the entire solution recommending steel grades, thicknesses and welding procedures. We welded based on all the ready-made components provided by K1,“ says After-Market Service Engineer Cai Tuo of the Earthmoving Division of XCMG.

The benefits – better wear life

The first bucket with Hardox 450 in the main body, Hardox 400 in the side bars and Strenx 700 in the structural part of the main body has been used in the coal mine for 3 months (2,000 working hours). The measuring result showed the wear loss to be 2 mm, when the original thickness of the edge plate was 80 mm. The service life was expected to exceed 5 years, compared to 3 years for the previous bucket.

“The stable quality of Hardox wear plate and Strenx performance steel, together with the great service of SSAB Shape, brought superior wear performance to the product,” continues Cai Tuo.

The clear customer benefit was an increase of 70% in overall bucket lifetime using Hardox wear plate and Strenx performance steel. All bucket components were made in SSAB’s K1 service center in Kunshan and the components were welded in XCMG’s own factory. XCMG is one of China’s biggest construction machinery manufacturers and the world’s 5th largest. Joy Global Inc.is a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions.