Tamping blade with improved inserts

摘要

A tamping pad includes cutout along the length of the leading edge thereof to support at least one wear-resistant insert rigidly positioned therein. The wear-resistant insert comprises a body having a first side and a second opposed side, first and second opposed major surfaces and first and second opposed shoulders. The first side of the insert body defines a tamping blade leading edge which is arcuate in shape between the opposed shoulders. The arcuate leading edge of the insert body has a radius which defines the length of the arcuate edge to be of a ratio of about 1.3 relative to the width of the carbide insert. Preferably, the plurality of inserts extends end to end along the length of the leading edge of the blade to define the interrupted leading edge of the tamping pad as formed by the curvilinear leading edge of each of the plurality of inserts.