Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly has a holder attached to a driving mechanism and comprising a longitudinal central bore. The bore has an opening at a distal end from the driving mechanism. The pick has a body intermediate a shank and an impact tip, the shank being disposed in the central bore of the holder and the body extending from the opening of the bore. The impact tip has a diamond surface. The degradation assembly also has a lubrication mechanism adapted to apply lubrication to the shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a tool has a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism and also a hard tip attached to an interfacial surface of the base. The tip has a first cemented metal carbide segment bonded to a superhard material at a non-planar interface. A volume of the superhard material is about 75% to 150% of a volume of the first cemented metal carbide segment.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a wear-resistant tool is disclosed which may comprise first and second cemented metal carbide segments chemically bonded together at an interface. The first segment may comprise a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) at least at its interfacial surface and the second segment may comprise a second CTE at least at its interfacial surface less than the CTE of the first segment. The first segment may further comprise a cross-sectional thickness substantially equal to or greater than a cross-sectional thickness of the second segment at the interface.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an attack tool has a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism. A first end of a generally frustoconical first cemented metal carbide segment bonded to the base. A second metal carbide segment is bonded to a second end of the first carbide segment at an interface opposite the base. The first end has a cross sectional thickness of about 0.250 to 0.750 inches and the second end has a cross sectional thickness of about 1 to 1.50 inches. The first cemented metal carbide segment also has a volume of 0.250 cubic inches to 0.600 cubic inches.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a pick adapted to degrade man-made or natural formations has a steel body comprising a shank adapted for attachment to a driving mechanism. The pick also has a leading edge opposite the shank which has an inside edge. A bore is disposed in the steel body proximate the inside edge. A cemented metal carbide core is press fit into the bore. A reentrant is formed at least partially in the bore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a trenching machine for degrading natural and man-made formations, comprising a plurality of roller assemblies exteriorly mounted to a trenching boom or wheel. The rollers comprising a plurality of pointed inserts radially arranged along the wheel's outer diameter. The inserts are adapted to degrade the formation when the boom or wheel is activated.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a cone crusher comprises a crushing surface comprising a conical head and a concave bowl. At least one of the head or bowl comprises a segmented wear liner wherein at least one segment of the wear liner is held in place by compression.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an attack tool is disclosed which comprises a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism. The wear resistant base has a shank and metal segment. A cemented metal carbide segment is bonded to the metal segment opposite the shank. At least one hard insert is bonded to the metal segment proximate the shank, wherein the insert has a hardness greater than 60 HRc.

Abstract: A high impact resistant tool comprises a steel shank. The steel shank has a hollow portion and first and second ends. The shank is adapted for insertion into a holder and connection to a driving mechanism. A carbide cap is joined at a brazed joint to the first end of the shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly has an attack tool with a body and a shank, the body having a wear-resistant tip. The shank is disposed within a bore of a holder which is secured to a driving mechanism. A retainer sleeve is disposed around the shank of the attack tool, wherein the retainer sleeve has an inner surface with a hardness greater than 58 HRc.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation pick comprises a bolster disposed intermediate a shank and an impact tip. The shank comprises an outer diameter and first and second ends. The shank is coupled to the bolster through the first end and the second end is adapted for insertion into a central bore of a holder attached to a driving mechanism. The shank comprises a hollow portion disposed within the outer diameter and between the first and second ends. The hollow portion may comprise an opening that is disposed in the second end. In some embodiments the hollow portion may comprise a length that is at least as great as the outer diameter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly has an attack tool with a body and a shank, the body having a wear-resistant tip. The shank is disposed within a bore of a holder secured to a driving mechanism. A washer is positioned in-between the attack tool and the holder and fitted around the shank of the attack tool, wherein an outer edge of the washer has a hardness greater than 58 HRc.

Abstract: A degradation assembly has an attack tool with a body and a shank. The body has a wear resistant tip with a hardness of at least 60 HRc. The shank is disposed within a bore of a holder secured to a driving mechanism. A retainer sleeve is disposed around the shank of the attack tool, wherein an annular gap of 0.002 to 0.010 inches exists between at least a portion of the sleeve and the shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a pick comprises a shank attached to a base of a steel body, a cemented metal carbide core press fit into the steel body opposite the shank, and an impact tip bonded to a first end of the core opposite the shank. The impact tip comprises a superhard material opposite the core, and the core comprises a second end and a largest diameter. A distance through the body from the shank to the second end of the core is less than the largest diameter of the core.

Abstract: A degradation assembly comprises a rotating portion and a fixed portion. The rotating portion comprises a wear resistant tip bonded to a carbide bolster. The bolster is attached to a shaft adapted for a rotatable connection within a bore of the fixed portion. The fixed portion is adapted for a rigid connection to a driving mechanism. The fixed portion also comprises an o-ring slot formed within its bore and an o-ring being disposed within the bore. The o-ring is at least 15 percent compressed such that the o-ring resists rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a pick comprises a shank attached to a base of a steel body, a cemented metal carbide core press fit into the steel body opposite the shank, and an impact tip bonded to a first end of the core opposite the shank. The impact tip comprises a superhard material opposite the core, and the core comprises a second end and a largest diameter. A distance through the body from the shank to the second end of the core is less than the largest diameter of the core.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a wear resistant assembly has at least one hard insert disposed within a recess formed within a surface. A hard material substantially surrounds the hard insert and is also disposed within the surface. The hard material is separated from the insert by an intermediate material softer than both the insert and the hard material.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an attack tool is disclosed which has a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism, a first cemented metal carbide segment brazed to the base at a first interface, and a second metal carbide segment brazed to the first carbide segment at a second interface opposite the base. The attack tool also having a braze material disposed in the second interface with 30 to 62 weight percent of palladium.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a rotary shaft impactor has a rotor assembly connected to a rotary driving mechanism. The rotor assembly has a plurality of autogenous bed pockets, the pockets having a wall intermediate a distal and a proximal end. A least one of the pockets comprises a plurality of inserts arranged adjacent one another in a row and attached to at bast the proximal or distal end wherein a first end of at least one insert is complementary to a second end of an adjacent insert.