May. 27, 2024
Proper installation of bucket teeth is essential for optimal performance. This process also allows you to check bucket adapters for any wear and tear, cracks, or poor fitting between the bucket tooth and the adapter nose.
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Safety is paramount during the bucket teeth replacement process due to various hazards. Although no formal qualifications are needed, understanding the task and having the required tools are crucial for a safe operation.
As with any high-risk activity, performing a risk assessment to identify hazards, evaluating associated risks, and implementing control measures using the hierarchy of control is vital.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety gloves, glasses, steel-capped boots, and a long-sleeve shirt are essential but should be considered the last line of defense after other control measures have been implemented.
This assessment will also help you determine whether you have the right tools for the job and if the bucket and adapters are in a conducive location, condition, and position (discussed below) to make the installation safer and more efficient.
Bucket teeth can be replaced whether you are out in the field or in a workshop, as long as the bucket is positioned safely, and there are no environmental hazards such as other machinery, high wind, or rain that could compromise the installation's safety.
Ensure that a lockout procedure is followed to prevent anyone from starting the machine during maintenance. If machine lockout is not possible, tag it out by removing the keys, taping the ignition switch, and placing a sign on the dashboard reading: ‘MAINTENANCE IN PROGRESS – DO NOT OPERATE.’ Consider having a dedicated lockout person if necessary.
The bucket's position is critical for the safety and efficiency of bucket tooth installation. The bucket should be parallel to the ground and empty to prevent anything from falling out as you work. Adapters should be easily accessible, avoiding awkward positions or the need to get underneath the bucket.
Position the bucket with the teeth parallel to the ground, using jack stands or wooden blocks as secondary support to minimize pinching or crushing incidents.
Removal and installation procedures vary for different bucket teeth. Some use a side pin locking system, while others use a top pin system. Some have a pin and rubber, while others use a pin and retainer. Hammerless systems, such as Cutting Edges' hammerless R-Lock bucket teeth adapter system, are also available.
The procedures for each system are generally similar but may have specific differences. Below is a description for the CAT J-Series due to its popularity. Refer to your specific system's installation and removal instructions, or contact us for assistance.
You will need a locking pin removal tool and a fit-for-purpose hammer to remove the pin and dislodge the old teeth. Remove all bucket teeth before installing new ones.
Start by hammering the pin removal tool into the pin from the side with the retainer. Pins will be harder to remove from the other side.
Old bucket teeth might be seized up with dirt, making them hard to remove. A strong, accurate blow with a sledgehammer may be required, which carries the risk of miss-strikes and flying metal.
Ensure you have ample space to swing the hammer safely, there are no trip hazards, and all involved personnel are wearing appropriate PPE.
Large bucket teeth can weigh up to 90 kg each, requiring mechanical assistance for installation. Even a 40 kg tooth will need mechanical aid or a team lift. Do not attempt to install it alone, as it could result in injury.
After removing old bucket teeth and inspecting the adapter for damage, ensure the adapter nose is clean and free of dirt to guarantee a snug fit with the new tooth.
Begin by inserting the retainer into the adapter recess, followed by placing the tooth on the adapter. Insert and manually hammer the locking pin—recess first—through the tooth and adapter from the opposite side of the retainer.
Once the pin is flush, the recess will lock into the retainer, securing your bucket tooth. Check the fit and move on to install the next tooth.
There has been a major push in recent years to make bucket teeth systems safer and simpler to install and replace. Cutting Edges' hammerless R-Lock bucket teeth adapter system is one such innovative solution.
Another way to drive safety is with high quality, longer-lasting bucket teeth that have longer changeout periods because "the safest job is the one you don’t have to do."
Replacing bucket tooth adapters is more involved than replacing the teeth and generally requires welding. Ensure you follow OHS procedures for welding and have a formal qualification as a boilermaker.
Usually, the bucket should be removed from the machine to position it ideally for safe welding, which should be done in a controlled environment where factors like rain and wind can’t compromise safety or weld quality.
Poorly welded bucket tooth adapters can lead to serious injuries or future quality control issues like adapter and bucket lip cracking.
Pre-heat the lip correctly, start and stop your welds in appropriate places, and use the right consumables for the job.
If you are unsure which bucket teeth you are using, simply click through and fill in the form on the following page and Cutting Edges will quickly identify them for you.
Identify Your Bucket Teeth
This guide will teach you how to change excavator buckets and remove and change excavator bucket teeth to make the most of your earthmoving machinery.
Excavators and mini excavators are versatile equipment, suiting projects across multiple industries, from construction and mining to maintenance and materials handling. The bucket and teeth styles you choose will play pivotal roles in project efficiency and vary depending on the nature of the job. The correct bucket and bucket tooth type can reduce downtime, enhance productivity, increase cost efficiency and expedite a project.
Like any well-used components, excavator buckets wear out over time. If you do not replace a worn bucket, you risk exposing and damaging your excavator’s shank. To prolong your excavator’s life, you must practice preventive maintenance, including changing worn-out buckets with new ones.
The bucket style you choose will also impact job efficiency. You might need to change buckets quickly on the job, as specific bucket styles are better suited to particular tasks. Knowing how to change your excavator bucket quickly will help keep your machinery in excellent condition and boost productivity.
Follow these steps to change your excavator bucket:
Like buckets, bucket teeth also wear down over time. Periodically replacing bucket teeth is crucial to avoid damaging their adapters. Learn how to replace teeth on an excavator bucket in a few easy steps below.
The first step is identifying excavator bucket teeth that are appropriate. Each bucket tooth type has a purpose suited to particular excavation jobs. The different teeth varieties include the following:
Next, identify your excavator’s bucket tooth-pin installation style and gather your tools or removal device kit. There are two primary pin installation styles for excavators:
Choosing the correct bucket tooth size is crucial. You can identify the style and size of your factory bucket teeth by locating the part number on the tooth’s surface, interior wall, or pocket edge. You can also measure the pin, retainer, or tooth pocket size to identify tooth size.
Once you have the correct tooth size and your assembly toolkit ready to go, follow these steps to replace your excavator’s teeth:
Mini excavators are compatible with several bucket styles, making them suitable for various projects across multiple industries, including construction, farming, landscaping, and maintenance. If you are familiar with changing excavator buckets, you will be pleased to know changing the bucket on a mini excavator is a similar process, regardless of the bucket type:
Turn to Stewart-Amos Equipment Co. when you need help locating tough, high-performing excavator buckets or bucket teeth to meet your performance demands and quality standards. We offer an extensive inventory of top-caliber excavator and earthmoving equipment parts from trusted, well-known brands.
Get in touch with us today if you need help identifying the right parts for your excavator or mini excavator. Our friendly, professional team has decades of industry knowledge and expertise to help you locate the part style and sizes you need for your earthmoving equipment. We will help you maintain your equipment to increase cost efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance productivity.
Contact us online or call 800-482- to learn more about our product selection today!
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