Abstract: A slide hammer tool is particularly useful for replacing worn teeth of a trenching machine. The teeth are retained in chain links of the trenching machine by respective open keeper rings. The tool has a rod with stops proximate both ends. A hammer is slidable on the rod between the stops. On one rod end is a wedge with converging surfaces that match radial surfaces on the keeper rings. The other end of the rod has a concave surface that matches the keeper ring outer diameter. To remove the keeper ring from a worn tooth, the wedge converging surfaces are abutted against the keeper ring radial surfaces. The hammer is rapidly struck against the corresponding stop. The impact of the hammer on the stop is transmitted to the wedge converging surfaces and to the keeper ring radial surfaces. The impact is sufficient to cause the keeper ring opening to expand, and the keeper ring is pushed off the tooth.

Abstract: A slide hammer tool is particularly useful for replacing worn teeth of a trenching machine. The teeth are retained in chain links of the trenching machine by respective open keeper rings. The tool has a rod with stops proximate both ends. A hammer is slidable on the rod between the stops. On one rod end is a wedge with converging surfaces that match radial surfaces on the keeper rings. The other end of the rod has a concave surface that matches the keeper ring outer diameter. To remove the keeper ring from a worn tooth, the wedge converging surfaces are abutted against the keeper ring radial surfaces. The hammer is rapidly struck against the corresponding stop. The impact of the hammer on the stop is transmitted to the wedge converging surfaces and to the keeper ring radial surfaces. The impact is sufficient to cause the keeper ring opening to expand, and the keeper ring is pushed off the tooth.