Proven Solutions: Cutting Tool Trenching Solutions

Trenching Case Study

Trencher Excavating Solid Rock at Five Foot Cut Depth

Trenching tooling not meeting your expectations? Wearing out carbide too quickly? Is it costing you time and money?

Is excessive carbide tip wear causing you increased downtime and decreased efficiency? Learn how Kennametal TS31CX and TS40CX trenching solutions extended a customer's tool life from less than one day to more than three! 

Challenge

A customer was excavating solid rock for a wind farm in Texas for the placement of power distribution lines. A competitor's tooling solution resulted in production of less than 1 foot per minute (fpm). 

  • Material Excavated: Mixture of hard limestone/cobblestone
  • Conditions: 65–75° F, with operations occurring between noon and 6:00 p.m.
  • Machine: Tesmec M5 chain trencher, 18" wide chain with 130 toolholders
  • Problems: Competitor tooling wearing out carbide in less than one day, inability to cut at a rate of 1 fpm 
Kennametal TS31CX and TS40CX Trenching Tools are in Great Shape after a Full Day of Cutting

Kennametal tools are in great shape after a full day (six hours) of cutting.

Kennametal Solutions Put to the Test

TS31CX (25 pieces)
38/30mm Step Shank Picks • C Groove Series 3.0"
SAP Material Number: 4066872
ISO Catalog Number: TS31CX
Grade: K3560MH

TS40CX (45 pieces)
38/30mm Step Shank Picks • C Groove Series 2.5"
SAP Material Number: 4009198
ISO Catalog Number: TS40CX
Grade: K3560MH

The team installed TS31CX and TS40CX in a standard long-short- long penetration pattern with short 2.5" TS40CX tools on the outside “sweeping” edges. 

Kennametal TS31CX and TS40CX Trenching Tools in a Standard Long-Short-Long Penetration Pattern

The team installed TS31CX and TS40CX in a standard long-short-long penetration pattern with short 2.5" TS40CX tools on the outside “sweeping” edges. 

Results

In testing, Kennametal's trenching solutions extended tool life from less than one day to more than three. The crew was impressed with how long our carbide lasted even when cutting the hardest rock.

Before the installation of Kennametal tooling, excavated material as seen on the left in the photo was finer and sandier and did not enable efficient trenching. With Kennametal TS31CX and TS40CX installed in a penetration pattern, rocks seen on the right were larger, chunkier, and easier to excavate. In addition to longer tool life, Kennametal solutions improved production output from less than 1 fpm to almost 3 fpm. 

Trencher with Finer Sandier Aggregate and Larger Chunkier Rock Aggregate

Look at the difference! Rocks excavated with a competitor's tool (left) vs. Kennametal TS31CX and TS40CX installed in a penetration pattern (right). The rocks on the right are larger, chunkier, and easier to excavate.

The information contained in this report is intended for comparative purposes only and is based upon a limited test sample. The information has no guarantee of actual future results. The information is provided ‘as is’ without any warranty of any kind whether express or implied. 

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