Development of Standardized Test Procedures for Carbide Insert Snowplow Blade Wear

Project Number: Clear Roads 07-01/WisDOT 0092-08-31
Status: Completed, September 2010
Investigator: Braun Intertec Corporation

Final Deliverables
Carbide Insert Blade Final Report (1.73 MB)
Report brief (1.73 MB)

Problem
State DOTs use several thousand carbide blades in a single winter season. Carbide inserts used in snow plow blades are often replaced too early or too late during snow removal operations, resulting in wasted materials and money and possible plow damage.

Objective
The goal of this project was to develop testing procedures for carbide inserts that would give agencies a better ability to predict performance of the carbide inserts used in snowplow blades for snow removal operations.

Results
The project identified lab tests that demonstrated that inserts showing flaws in the lab also had the poorest performance in the field. The final report also included recommendations for developing a national standard for everyone to use, so that manufacturers can focus on making one type of carbide blade and shape. It also included a purchasing approval framework and specification, which has the potential to save DOTs money.

Status Reports
June 30, 2010 (26 KB)
March 31, 2010 (4.5 MB)
December 31, 2009 (395 KB)
September 30, 2009 (127 KB)
June 30, 2009 (70 KB)
March 31, 2009 (44 KB)
December 31, 2008 (1.75 MB)
September 30, 2008 (2.26 MB)
June 30, 2008 (112 KB)
March 31, 2008 (436 KB)
December 31, 2007 (528 KB)