Discover AgriCarb tungsten carbide wear parts – and why more and more farmers rely on them for extreme performance.
Agriculture is evolving and so are the wear parts for tillage operations.
For centuries, farmers have relied on steel wear parts for tillage operations. This tradition began with the invention of the steel plow by John Deere in 1837. Before that, cast iron plows were commonly used, but they struggled with the sticky prairie soils. Deere’s innovation – a polished steel moldboard – allowed soil to slide off more easily, dramatically improving efficiency. This breakthrough marked the beginning of steel as the standard material for tillage wear parts, quickly becoming the norm for plows and other tillage wear parts throughout the 19th century. Over time, steel wear parts evolved through advancements in hardening techniques, alloy compositions, and designs, all aimed at improving durability and performance.
Chromium alloy is introduced in the 1960’s
In the 1960s, chromium alloy wear parts were introduced. These parts proved significantly more durable than standard steel and reduced the need for frequent replacements. This innovation brought longer-lasting components and less downtime for farmers. However, chromium alloys have a key weakness: their brittle crystalline structure. While extremely hard, they are more prone to fracture under shock loads. Unlike steel, they lack a fibrous microstructure, which helps absorb impact and flex under stress. As a result, many farmers who experienced breakage returned to steel wear parts – less durable, but more reliable under tough conditions.
AgriCarb introduces tungsten carbide parts in the 1980’s
The next major leap came in the mid-1980s, with AgriCarb, a company founded in 1985 in France. Its founder, Michel Curtat, was inspired by his father’s constant struggle with worn-out steel parts. Determined to find a better solution, he began working with tungsten carbide, adapting it for plow wear parts. Tungsten carbide was already well-known in industries like construction and mining for its exceptional hardness, ranking just below diamond on the Mohs scale. This makes it an ideal material for agricultural wear parts that must withstand constant friction, impact, and abrasive soil conditions. The breakthrough came quickly: by combining a steel wear part with tungsten carbide inserts, he had created the ideal agricultural wear part – one that was both wear-resistant and impact-resistant. On December 31, 1985, AgriCarb was officially born.
AgriCarb Tungsten Carbide leads the industry
For nearly 40 years, AgriCarb has been at the forefront of integrating tungsten carbide into tillage wear parts. The company’s manufacturing process ensures each component is engineered for maximum resilience and tailored to meet the demands of modern farming practices. Today, AgriCarb offers a product range of over 1,800 references, covering a wide variety of machines and soil types. Whether you are working in heavy clay, sandy loam, or rocky terrain, AgriCarb provides ripper points, sweeps, fertilizer knives, and many other wear parts that deliver consistent performance and long-term value.
Since 2025, ToughAg proudly serves as the exclusive distributor of AgriCarb wear parts in the United States. Committed to supporting farmers, ToughAg works hand-in-hand with AgriCarb to bring the benefits of tungsten carbide technology to the field. Their shared mission is clear: to provide farmers with wear parts that not only last longer but also withstand the toughest conditions. Through this partnership, ToughAg ensures that farmers have access to the most advanced and reliable tillage solutions available – helping them save time, reduce costs, and improve productivity season after season.
AgriCarb is available exclusively at ToughAG.com
Interested in trying AgriCarb wear parts? Visit the ToughAg.com AgriCarb department or contact our spare parts team directly at (800) 328-6457 to learn more.
