Undercarriage & wear parts
Loader cutting edge: measure the bolt pattern, not the width
The bolt pattern dimensions, precisely
Six numbers define a cutting edge, and most returns trace to one of the middle four being assumed rather than measured:
- Total width — end to end. Nominal, and the only one most people measure.
- Bolt hole count — both sides. Asymmetric patterns exist and are the most common cause of a "correct width, wrong fit" return.
- Hole spacing, centre to centre — between adjacent holes.
- Cumulative hole span — from first hole to last. This catches the case where spacing looks right but the pattern is longer or shorter overall.
- Hole diameter — sets the bolt size. Frequently assumed rather than measured.
- Thickness and depth — too thick will not seat; too thin changes the cutting angle and wears through faster.
Reversible, single-sided and two-piece
Reversible edges have a symmetric hole pattern so they can be flipped when one edge wears. Single-sided ones cannot. A third type, the two-piece edge, splits the width into a centre section and two ends — cheaper to replace when only the centre wears, and common on wider loader buckets.
A reversible edge cannot substitute for a single-sided one even at the same width, because the hole pattern and the seating face differ.
When the bucket lip is the real problem
Before ordering any edge, check the lip. Elongated holes, corroded seating faces or a bent lip mean a new edge will not hold torque. At that point the options are to repair the lip or to move to a weld-on edge — both cost more than the edge you were about to buy, and both are cheaper than fitting an edge that comes loose in service.
Cutting edges are usually ordered by width and then returned because the bolt pattern does not match. Width is nominal and easy; hole count, hole spacing and thickness decide whether the part bolts on.
Measure in this order
- Bolt hole count. Count both sides — asymmetric patterns exist.
- Hole spacing, centre to centre. Measure between adjacent holes, then across the full pattern to catch cumulative error.
- Hole diameter. This sets the bolt size and is frequently assumed rather than measured.
- Thickness. Too thick will not seat; too thin changes the cutting angle.
- Width and depth last, to confirm the edge covers the bucket lip.
Reversible versus single-sided
Reversible edges have a symmetric hole pattern and can be flipped when one edge wears. Single-sided edges do not. If you are replacing a reversible edge with a single-sided one — or the reverse — the bolt pattern will not match even when the width does.
Bolt-on versus weld-on
These are separate product categories. A bolt-on edge requires an intact bolt pattern on the bucket lip; if the holes in the lip are elongated or corroded, a new edge will not hold torque. Check the lip before ordering.
What to send for a quote
- Machine make, model, serial number
- Bolt hole count, spacing and diameter
- Width, thickness and depth
- Photo of the existing edge, including the bolt heads
alfrun@gmail.com — we confirm the pattern before quoting.
Before you order
Send machine make, model, serial number and a photo of the casting mark. We confirm the part number and fitment basis before any price discussion. If we cannot confirm it, we say so.
Trademark notice
Machine brand names and part numbers are used only to describe fitment and application. We are not an authorised dealer of any machine manufacturer. We do not use manufacturer logos and do not describe parts as genuine, OEM or original.
Reviewed by Zhonglei M&E parts desk — export trading partner for undercarriage and wear parts. Last updated 2026-11-13.