Abstract: A digging bucket has a lip, a lip aperture with a forward surface, a digging component mounted on the lip, and a component retaining device. The device comprises a keeper wedge with protrusions bearing against the component and a wedge member interposed between the forward surface and the component. In the improvement, the keeper wedge has at least one angled face and the wedge member has a pair of angled faces, at least one of which bears against the angled face of the keeper wedge. The wedge member is retained in position by a tension bolt extending through the aperture. Several embodiments are disclosed with wedge members having one or two wedges to urge the keeper wedge (and thus the digging component) rearward tightly against the lip.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a tooth assembly used with excavating and digging buckets such as those found in draglines, backhoes and the like. Such tooth assemblies include a top portion (such as a wear cap), a nose protruding beyond the portion and a digging tip. The tip has high-hardness upper and lower exterior wear surfaces and a sharp-edged tip end for biting into earth, mineral and rock. Either embodiment of the improved assembly involves mounting parts (a tip or tip and sleeve) directly on the nose. In one improved assembly, a sleeve is interposed between the tip and the portion and includes high-hardness wear surfaces extending between tip and portion. The tooth and sleeve cooperate to substantially entirely shroud the nose. In another version having no sleeve, the tip includes high-hardness active digging surfaces extending substantially entirely rather than only partially between the portion and the tip end.

Abstract: A support assembly for a drag bucket includes lift lines and pull lines, each secured to a respective link plate pivotably secured to opposite sides of the bucket. Stops on the bucket side walls limit pivoting of the plates, whereby the bucket can selectively be maintained upright or in a dumping position by control of the lines.