The Geographe Enhanced Performance™ (EP) Top Hat Bush addresses the common issue of premature wear found with standard OEM bushings and thrust plates. Standard OEM thrust plates and bushings are made from relatively soft materials, causing them to wear faster than surrounding components. Over time, worn bolt heads lead to dislodgement of the thrust plate, resulting in significant damage to the bucket-stick mounting faces. Geographe has designed the EP Top Hat Bush to solve this problem by integrating the standard bushing and thrust plate into a single component. This new design incorporates the same improved material and gas carburisation heat treatment as the standalone bush, ensuring the stick-to-bucket tolerance remains at OEM specification for longer, reducing wear and extending service life. By reducing premature wear and movement under dynamic loads, the EP Top Hat Bush enhances the overall performance and durability of the excavator.