Ground Engaging Tools (GET) are the frontline of any mining operation. They endure constant impact, abrasive wear, and mechanical fatigue that ultimately determine equipment downtime and maintenance cost. For decades, the industry standard has been welded GET systems — reliable, but increasingly inefficient as production and safety requirements rise.

With growing pressure to reduce maintenance time, lower emissions, and extend equipment life, Curakit™’s patented bolt-on system has emerged as a superior alternative. Built in Hardox® wear-resistant steel and engineered for precision, it is reshaping how maintenance is carried out underground.

The traditional welded system: effective but limiting

For many years, welded GET systems have been the go-to solution for protecting bucket lips and edges. Their logic is simple: weld protective elements directly to the bucket structure. However, what used to be practical decades ago now faces several drawbacks in modern mining operations.

To replace worn GET parts, operators must:

Bring the loader or bucket to surface or a maintenance workshop.

Remove the old wear plates or teeth by cutting or grinding.

Weld new components in place.

Allow cooling, alignment, and inspection before returning to service.

Each of these steps consumes valuable production hours and introduces potential risks.
Heat input during welding weakens the structural integrity of the lip, causing deformation or microcracks over time. Repeated repairs increase these stress points, shortening the bucket’s overall lifespan.

Moreover, maintenance inside underground environments often demands confined-space hot work permits, fire watch personnel, and gas control — all adding complexity and cost.

The Curakit™ difference: precision and performance

Curakit™ takes a completely different engineering approach. Instead of welding, each component is bolted onto precision-machined interfaces using high-strength 12.9-grade bolts and anti-rotation locking systems. The result is a modular system that can be replaced quickly, safely, and repeatedly — without altering the bucket’s geometry.

 1. Fast and safe maintenance

With the bolt-on design, crews can perform replacements directly underground, without welding, cutting, or grinding.
The risk of burns, fumes, and arc flashes is eliminated, improving safety compliance and worker comfort.
A full set of Curakit™ components can be swapped in less than half the time of a welded repair, returning the machine to production faster.

 2. Consistent geometry and optimized penetration

Because every part is CNC-machined, the system maintains perfect alignment after every change.
This ensures constant bucket penetration, lower rolling resistance, and smoother loading.
The consistent geometry also reduces stress on the hydraulic system and powertrain, leading to measurable fuel and energy savings.

 3. Superior wear life and material strength

Curakit™ uses Hardox® 550 and 500 TUF steels supplied by SSAB.
These grades combine high hardness with impact toughness, allowing each component to self-sharpen as it wears and resist cracking under load.
In side-by-side field trials, Curakit™ achieved up to 70% longer wear life compared to welded GET systems.

 4. Reduced lifecycle cost

While the initial investment in a Curakit™ system may be higher, the total cost of ownership is significantly lower.
Shorter downtime, reduced labor, and fewer replacements deliver a rapid ROI — often within the first year of use.
Additionally, the elimination of welding gases, electrodes, and grinding tools lowers environmental impact and maintenance logistics.

Engineering validation and field results

Curakit™’s design is backed by rigorous testing and field validation in copper and zinc mines across Europe.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) confirms improved stress distribution at the lip interface, reducing peak loads by over 10%.
Operators report smoother bucket filling, reduced wear on tires and transmission, and better machine balance due to consistent geometry.

Each Curakit™ kit is customized for the customer’s bucket dimensions, with full traceability of steel origin and hardness certification from SSAB.
The modular design allows partial replacements, extending overall component life while maintaining structural integrity.

Sustainability and safety advantages

Beyond performance, Curakit™ supports the mining industry’s shift toward safer and more sustainable practices.
By avoiding welding, mines cut energy consumption, reduce CO₂ emissions, and eliminate the release of welding fumes.
Each additional hour of machine availability directly translates into higher productivity with a smaller environmental footprint.

Conclusion

Traditional welded GET systems have served the industry well, but the evolution toward smarter, safer and more efficient maintenance solutions is clear.
Curakit™ combines Swedish Hardox® steel, precision engineering, and bolt-on practicality to create a new standard in wear protection for underground mining.

The comparison leaves little doubt:

Less downtime. Greater durability. Faster ROI.
That’s the Curakit™ advantage.