Switched my opinion on cutterhead wear parts after a job on the Mississippi

For years I always went with the cheapest wear parts thinking they'd do the job. But after a 3-week dredging project near Baton Rouge where I had to swap out a set of teeth every 4 days, I finally tried a pricier brand. The difference was night and day - those parts lasted the full 3 weeks without a single swap. Now I factor in downtime and labor costs, not just the part price. Anyone else find that spending more upfront saves you in the long run?

2 comments

2 Comments

jenkins.alice1mo ago

I read that one brand's tungsten carbide mix actually makes their teeth last longer.

nancyd851mo ago

That Baton Rouge project really drives home the point about hidden costs. Three sets of cheap teeth plus the labor to swap them would eat up any savings in a hurry.