Proudly South African wear parts manufacturer Vesconite Bearings’ high-wear, high-abrasion-resistant material Ultrablack offers a unique blend of self-lubrication, abrasion-resistance and high load-bearing strength for a variety of agricultural applications.

“Ultrablack skid plates and slats for combine harvesters are made from a material with exceptional impact strength. Ultrablack is primarily used as a wear component to protect the more expensive parts of farming equipment and other machinery,” explains Vesconite Bearings development engineer and consultant Muller Vermaak.

Vesconite Bearings manufactures durable, self-lubricating and low-friction components tailored for the agriculture industry.

“Compared to traditional bronze and steel bearings, our products reduce equipment wear, maintenance and downtime. They are used in grain carts, planters, harvesters and more, enhancing reliability in applications such as bearings, seed plates, idlers and auger liners,” he says.

The harsh environment that exists in the agricultural industry results in rapid wear to both bearing and shaft, and the eventual failure and costly downtime of agricultural equipment.

 “Our Ultrablack skid plates and slats offer high wear resistance and impact strength, making our skid plates and slats a cost-effective alternative to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.

“We also ensure consistent availability, short lead times and global shipping, making Vesconite a reliable supplier for the agricultural sector,” he notes.

The combine’s skid plates are positioned at the bottom of the flexi table, therefore Ultrablack protects the steel from debris such as rocks and stalks, while the slats are fitted on the feeder house chain, supporting the crop as it moves from the cutter towards the throat of the harvester.

“Ultrablack skid plates and slats serve as a cost-effective alternative to OEM parts and are machined according to customer requirements,” Vermaak says.

Simpler designs and Vesconite Bearings’ experience in machining means that cost savings can be transferred to the farmer.

“Farmers can also purchase single slats and skid plates, so they need not buy the whole assembly, making maintenance more efficient and affordable,” Vermaak notes.

“The slats, being highly wear-resistant, ensure continuous and efficient threshing without frequent replacements. Together, these components reduce downtime and extend the harvester’s operational life,” says Vermaak.

Ultrablack skid plates and slats are machined at Vesconite Bearings' ISO 9001:2015-certified facility in Virginia, in the Free State. This facility is one of the largest polymer engineering factories in the world and is equipped with advanced extrusion, injection moulding and CNC machining technologies to ensure high-quality production.