Abstract: An excavation tooth removably connected to an adapter connected to a shovel dipper, the adapter defining a first passageway, the excavation tooth having a tooth body defining a second passageway, a first cam receiving recess adjacent to one end of the second passageway, and a cam access orifice adjacent to the first cam receiving recess, a pin received in the second passageway defined by the tooth body and a cam which extends in a direction away from the pin, wherein the cam is received in the first cam receiving recess defined by the excavation tooth to removably secure the excavation tooth to the adapter.

Abstract: A latch assembly for an excavator dipper of the invention includes a latch bar slot having a first opening, a second opening and a side wall. An annular projection protrudes from the latch bar slot side wall and has an upper surface and a side surface. A latch bar is slidably and removably mounted in the latch bar slot. The latch bar has a first portion, a second portion and a tapered portion located between the first and the second portion. The first portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion. An upper retainer insert assembly is removably carried in the latch bar slot between the first opening and the annular projection.

Abstract: A digging bucket lip is provided with one or more shrouds, each shroud having a blunt forward portion and a rearward portion divided into two spaced-apart legs. There are apertures through the legs, preferably in alignment. Rings are slidably disposed in the apertures and are welded on their inner margins to the lip disposed between the legs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coupling link comprising a first half line and a second half link, each comprising a unitary member with a pair of spaced ears at one end, a tongue at the other end and a central body member which joins the ears and the tongue. Bores in each of the ears of the first and second half links are aligned with a bore formed in the tongue of the opposite half link when the first and second half links are mated to form a coupling link. A link pin is received in the bores formed in the pairs of ears of the two links and in the bore in the tongue of theopposite link. Each link pin is retained in place by a pair of pin keepers each received in a slot formed in one of the ears to close the pin bore in that ear. Each pin keeper includes a tang which projects from one of the slot openings in the ear and is bent out of alignment with the slot opening to retain the keeper within the slot.

Abstract: A snubber for use with a dipper to retard movement of the dipper door toward and away from an opening formed in the dipper. The snubber includes an elastic member and an actuator link. When the door is at a first angle with respect to the dipper, the elastic member is in tension to retard movement of the door toward the dipper. When the door is at a second angle with respect to the dipper, the elastic member is in bending to retard movement of the door away from the dipper. The snubber is inactive when the door is at an angle between the first and second angles.

Abstract: A mechanism to restrain slamming of shovel dipper doors including a pair of arms connected respectively to the back and door of a shovel dipper and pivotally interconnected together with a Belleville spring loading.