When working with abrasive materials such as slag, aggregates, or minerals, your equipment faces a higher level of demand. A standard clamshell grab is not designed to withstand the aggressiveness of these materials, resulting in frequent breakdowns, repair costs, and unplanned downtime.
In this article, we explain why abrasive materials cause so much damage to your equipment, what features a grab designed for this environment should have, and how Stemm has developed specific solutions to maximise productivity and durability in your plant.
Why abrasive materials damage your equipment
Constant interaction with abrasive materials generates mechanical and metallurgical stresses on the components of your clamshell grabs. Hard and angular particles cause localised erosion on cutting edges, contact surfaces, and structural reinforcements, accelerating sheet metal thinning and promoting fatigue microcracks.
In standard equipment, this uneven wear is concentrated in critical areas such as the cutting edges, closing rims, and bucket bottoms, leading to premature deformations and clearances that directly affect operational performance. The result is a significant increase in maintenance costs, early replacement needs, and unexpected downtime that disrupts production continuity.
How to identify premature wear in your grabs
Detecting early signs of wear is essential to prevent major failures. Common indicators include deformations on cutting lips, gradual loss of load capacity, surface cracks, and reduced material penetration efficiency during operation cycles.
Continuous monitoring of the grab’s condition allows for efficient planning of corrective maintenance and helps minimise the impact on productivity.
The real impact of abrasive materials on productivity and costs
Wear caused by abrasive materials increases energy consumption and extends cycle times due to reduced efficiency in penetration and handling. In addition, unplanned repairs and replacements generate additional operating costs, reducing the return on investment of the entire work line.
In practical terms, equipment not protected against abrasion may lead to a 20–30% increase in annual maintenance expenses, along with the risk of unexpected stoppages that directly affect production.
Key features a clamshell grab for abrasives should have
Not all clamshell grabs are designed to handle abrasive materials continuously. To ensure durability and performance, they must incorporate specific technical features.
These include high wear-resistant steels, structural reinforcements in high-stress areas, and optimised bucket geometry to reduce friction and improve material penetration. Combined, these elements allow the grab to maintain its integrity and functionality even under extreme working conditions.
Materials that multiply service life
At Stemm, our clamshell grabs are built with high-hardness, wear-resistant steels such as HARDOX®, complemented by heat treatments that increase elasticity and minimise crack formation.
This combination of materials and manufacturing processes significantly extends the service life of the grab, reduces maintenance frequency, and ensures consistent performance when handling abrasive materials.
Ideal applications for abrasion-resistant clamshell grabs
Stemm’s clamshell grabs have been developed for environments where abrasive materials are the norm. Their robust design and high-strength materials allow for continuous, safe operation across multiple industrial sectors.
Handling slag and ash in your plant
In thermal power plants and steel mills, handling slag and ash is a constant challenge due to their density, irregularity, and abrasive properties. Stemm clamshell grabs enable these operations with maximum efficiency, preventing premature wear and reducing the need for frequent corrective interventions.
Loading and unloading abrasive aggregates and minerals
In quarries, ports, and mineral processing plants, grab durability is key to maintaining productivity. Our clamshell grabs withstand the continuous handling of highly abrasive aggregates and minerals, ensuring shorter operating cycles, lower energy consumption, and a longer equipment lifespan.
Trust Stemm, your partner for abrasive material handling
Stemm combines decades of experience in manufacturing orange peel grabs and clamshell grabs with a firm commitment to quality and durability.
Each grab is designed and custom-built to meet the specific challenges of every customer, ensuring resistance to abrasive materials, operational efficiency, and long service life.
If you’re looking to optimise abrasive material handling in your plant, trust Stemm. Contact us for expert technical advice or a customised quotation tailored to your needs.
