Tests have shown that DuraMaxx plough parts last up to 78 per cent longer than the company's conventional Dural components.
Tests by Germany's Kiel Polytechnic have shown that Lemken's DuraMaxx wearing plough parts can last up to 78 per cent longer than the company's conventional components.
Lemken launched the DuraMaxx (maximum durability) plough parts in 2007. The idea was simple; take away the weak areas that crack, then you can harden the parts more. DuraMaxx parts have no holes drilled or punched into them, and are not welded. Therefore they can be hardened more than normal parts, and can last considerably longer as a result.
DuraMaxx has been sold on Juwel and Tansanit ploughs in large volumes around the world. Users have found the cost-saving to be so significant, that the concept is now being extended to the Diamant range of ploughs. DuraMaxx will be shown on Juwel and Diamant ploughs at Lamma 2012 at Newark in January.
Kiel Polytechnic was commissioned this year to compare the precise wear characteristics of the DuraMaxx parts compared to Lemken's standard Dural plough parts. A five-furrow Juwel 8 mounted plough with Dural wearing parts was compared with one fitted with the new DuraMaxx body.
Reference values were taken consisting of the initial weights and thicknesses of the individual components on the plough body. After each 100ha of ploughing the weights of these parts were recorded again.
So far 360ha has been ploughed. The Dural and DuraMaxx bodies demonstrated the same amount of wear for the first 200ha, but this is because plough parts are normally harder on the outside than in the centre. As the ploughed area increased, the wear rate of the Dural parts also increased. However, the DuraMaxx parts reduced in weight significantly less, which is clearly due to the higher wear resistance of the harder DuraMaxx fine grain steel.
Kiel Polytechnic calculated that an area of 1,867ha would be needed to completely wear down the wearing parts on the DuraMaxx system, while those on the Dural body would last only 1,050ha before the wearing parts would need replacing. This indicates an increased working life of 817 hectares (78%) for the new DuraMaxx system.
For more information visit: www.lemken.co.uk.
