Resources & guides
Technical articles and buying guides for civil construction professionals sourcing milling picks, stabiliser teeth, and wear parts across Australia.
Why tungsten carbide prices surged in 2025
China’s 2025 export controls on tungsten hit OEM pricing hard. Here’s what happened, and what PPA did to keep costs competitive for Australian civil contractors.
How it started: the trial program that ran before PPA existed
PPA didn’t start with a business plan. It started with running picks on real stabilisation projects and proving the product worked before building a business around it.
PPA milling and stabiliser picks: compatibility guide for Wirtgen and other machines
How to identify the right pick spec for your machine — covering PPA’s 22mm and 20mm shank range, applications, and ground conditions.
Stabiliser picks for Wirtgen WR machines and Australian ground conditions: a practical guide
Which 22mm pick suits your WR200, WR240 or WR250 — and how Australian subgrade conditions from Perth coastal sands to Pilbara rock affect your choice.
How to compare carbide grade in cutting picks, and why it matters for your cost per metre
Not all carbide is the same. This guide explains the difference between grades, what affects wear life in Australian conditions, and how to evaluate supplier claims.
Why Australian contractors are moving away from OEM picks — and what to look for in an aftermarket supplier
OEM pick availability and pricing has been under pressure since early 2025. Here’s what’s driving contractors to aftermarket, and what to check before you switch.
How many picks should you carry as site stock? A practical guide for civil contractors
Downtime from running out of picks mid-project is avoidable. This guide covers how to calculate minimum site stock based on project length, machine hours, and ground conditions.
What to look for in an aftermarket wear parts supplier and the questions worth asking
A practical checklist for evaluating a new picks supplier: product knowledge, factory relationships, documentation, local stock, and willingness to trial.
From factory floor to Fremantle: our visit to the manufacturers behind PPA’s picks
Most distributors have never seen the factory their products come from. We have. Here’s what we found and why it shapes how PPA operates.
