Abstract: A draglined bucket having first and second contoured dumping rails respectively supported on first and second spaced apart opposite sidewalls and a rear wall. Each dumping rail extends from above the sidewall on which it is supported to the rear wall on which it is also supported. Rollers are connected to a hoist rope and support the bucket in a suspended manner. The rollers engage the first and second dumping rails and are movable along the dumping rails from a forward position in which an open end of the bucket faces substantially horizontally, to a rearward position in which the open end of the bucket faces downwardly to dump material in it. The dumping rails adjacent to the rear wall of the bucket are preferably spaced from the rear wall of the bucket. The rollers include first and second rollers which respectively engage the undersides of the first and second dumping rails.

Abstract: A rigging assembly for a dragline bucket has first and second hoist chains coupled to the bucket and first and second pickup links above the hoist chains. The chains extend along first and second axes, respectively, and define a fleet angle between them. In the improvement, the pickup links define a link angle between them which is substantially equal to the fleet angle. The pickup links are coupled with respect to respective hoist sockets by pins, the hoist chains are coupled with respect to the pickup links by other pins and all of the pins have substantially equal cross-sectional areas. Most preferably, the pins are identical to one another for parts "commonality.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a digging bucket has a clevis device pivotably connected thereto by a pin held in place by a pin-retaining structure. The clevis includes a plurality of arcuate, lip-like, outwardly-radially-projecting first retention members and the structure includes a cap portion having a plurality of arcuate, lip-like, inwardly-radially-projecting second retention members. Each second retention member engages and "locks" to a separate first retention member. The cap portion, which interferes with free axial travel of the pin, is well secured so that the pin is retained in engagement with the clevis without welding the pin. Avoiding pin welding permits using a substantially-harder pin, resulting in significantly better wear characteristics. A new method for retaining a pin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A digging tooth assembly has a base nose, a replaceable tooth tip mounted on the base nose and a pin securing the tip to the nose. The pin includes a locking head eccentric to the pin and a pad-like resilient member is placed between the head and the tooth tip. The locking head is rotated so that the resilient member is compressed to urge the tooth tip in a direction such that the tip is maintained in a nose-contacting position.

Abstract: A digging tooth assembly has first and second wedged members retaining a digging tooth tip on a tooth base. The improvement comprises a tension member, e.g., a bolt, coupled to the first member and engaging the second member. The bolt has an adjustable effective length so that the first member can be drawn into wedged engagement with the second member. Other aspects of the invention involve a method for assembling a digging tooth assembly having an apertured tooth tip on an apertured, supporting tooth base. The method includes the steps of inserting a first wedge-like member into the aperture, inserting a second wedge-like member into the aperture and drawing the first member upward into wedged engagement with the second member.