What are Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Bucket Teeth?

Bucket teeth are a significant part of the digging performance and overall cost of ownership of an excavator bucket. They are one of the highest turnover G.E.T items on most operations and can be responsible for unscheduled downtime. This makes choosing the right bucket tooth adaptor system from the start a priority.

The longevity of bucket teeth is a complex issue, as the wear rate is dependent on many different factors. These factors include the type of material being dug, the frequency of use and maintenance of the bucket teeth. Ultimately, choosing the correct bucket teeth for your application can reduce wear rates and improve digging quality.
Most bucket teeth attach to the bucket by using an adaptor that is either welded or bolted on to the bucket cutting edge. Generally, teeth attach to this shank using pins and there are various types of bucket shanks in use that require specific pins for the attachment of suitable teeth.

There are also a number of different bucket teeth designs available that have varying levels of wear life and penetration, for example twin tiger teeth have a low wear rate but an impressive sense of penetration whilst single tiger teeth have a high wear rate but good penetration in rocky or frozen conditions.

Despite all precautions and regular maintenance, wear on bucket teeth is inevitable. To avoid damage to your bucket or the expensive replacement costs, regular inspection is a must. If you notice that your bucket teeth are wearing out or loose, replacing them before they become too worn can be the best way to prevent downtime.