Skip to main content

Cutting to the chase – with milling tools

Powerscreen is celebrating 50 years in business this year, and it will launch celebrations at the Hillhead (28-30 June, Buxton, England). Colin Clements, global product line director said: “Powerscreen have been providing the crushing and screening industry with high quality, innovative products for 50 years and we are excited to celebrate that success with those who matter - our distributors and customers. By kicking off the celebrations at Hillhead, we will be able to showcase new and revamped equipmen
May 16, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
Greater wear life is claimed by Wirtgen from its new milling tools
Cutting tools are crucial to milling machines as well as soil stabilisers and there have been key innovations for the market. 161 Atlas Copco and 2395 Wirtgen are both introducing new systems that are said to offer improved performance for milling machines, both in terms of finish quality and longevity.

Atlas Copco’s new road milling tools have been developed by the firm’s sister company Secoroc, which specialises in drilling tools. Because Secoroc has extensive experience in developing drilling tools for use in hard rock applications, the firm claims this has helped it produce a long- lasting range of products for use in road planning duties. These are aimed at use on milling machines with cutting widths of 350mm to 2.2m and are available in three basic variants, for use with asphalt (AA), concrete (AC) or for dual purpose applications (AM).

According to Atlas Copco, the new tools offer greater wear life than competing products, some 30% more than conventional units. This extended life is crucial as it allows the bits to last a full working shift, boosting machine uptime and productivity. Because there is no need to stop for tool change-outs in the middle of a job, output and efficiency are increased and tool replacement can be left until the working shift is complete. The bits also have a universal shank for versatility.

Wirtgen says that its new tools offer a long service life and high machine output and is introducing two new systems for cold recycling and soil stabilisation. The firm is launching its GENERATION Z point-attack cutting tools and its HT22 quick-change toolholder system.

The company claims that its GENERATION Z point-attack cutting tools can be used for Wirtgen cold recyclers and soil stabilisers. These new products have been revised to cater to current demands in the mixing and cutting process. A key development is that the height of the carbide base has been increased while the quality of the carbide material is precisely matched to meet working requirements. In addition, the steel body, wear plate and clamping sleeve have been optimised to extend wear properties. These features all help to extend the tool life of the cutters and to increase toolholder protection.

In addition the firm has introduced its quick-change toolholder system HT22 for the Wirtgen cold recyclers, self-powered soil stabilisers and tractor-towed stabilisers. The HT22 also benefits from a new geometrical design and improved steel quality to boost the wear material around the base and the upper and lower parts of the toolholder. This improvement helps increase service life and allows for longer service intervals, while boosting machine availability.

The company says that it has carried out extensive testing of these units, clocking up over 15,000 working hours in a variety of applications. The combination of the new HT22 and GENERATION Z components are said to improve performance across a wide range of applications in both recycling and soil stabilisation duties according to the firm.

For very high cutting performance in milling applications, Wirtgen is also offering its new PKD cutters, which feature tips made of artificial diamond and these units are said to produce a highly uniform surface while also offering longer service life.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Strong attendance points to a successful bauma China show
    December 17, 2014
    Even heavy rain showers on the first day of the bauma China exhibition in Shanghai did not dissuade the crowds packing the outside exhibition areas - Mike Woof writes Those firms exhibiting at bauma China 2014 in Shanghai benefited from a strong show that attracted a record attendance of 191,000, an increase of 6% over the 2012 event. A wide array of new equipment was on show from the 3,104 firms exhibiting, an increase of 14% from 2012. There was a strong focus on technology and new engines required for
  • Dynapac is broadening its range for asphalt paving
    April 1, 2014
    Atlas Copco’s Dynapac brand is launching new models aimed at the asphalt paving market - Mike Woof reports Atlas Copco’s Dynapac brand looks set to boost its worldwide presence in the road construction market, with new asphalt paving products forming a major segment of the firm’s improved portfolio. The launch of new pavers and an improved material feeder comes at a busy time for the Dynapac brand. When Dynapac was first acquired by Atlas Copco the business was left separate initially, however it has now
  • BOMAG develops new milling machine line-up
    January 18, 2016
    BOMAG’s new top-of-the-range 2m class milling machine, the BM2000/75, is said to have more power than rival machines in its class due to its 560kW engine. However it is also said to be economical on fuel and offer lower running costs than earlier generation machines of a similar size. A key feature is the new milling tool system, which BOMAG claims will last longer than rival designs, reducing downtime and increasing milling efficiency.
  • New soil compactor launches from key manufacturers
    May 30, 2013
    Major manufacturers continue to develop new soil compactor models - Mike Woof reports. Innovations in machine design are being seen in the soil compaction sector from a number of major firms. As in other equipment sectors, new engine emissions legislation has played a huge role in driving the latest design changes. Europe, the US and Japan are rolling in the new Tier 4 Final/Stage IV legislation on noise and exhaust emissions which will be phased in across power output classes from the start of January 2014