Abstract: A retainer for a rotating bit and/or pick that includes a slot extending from a forward end of the retainer to a distal end of the retainer. The slot includes a gap profile formed by the configuration or design of a first radial end surface of the slot and a second radial end surface of the slot. The retainer includes a dual corner break formed by a first angled surface extending from the distal end of the retainer to the first radial end surface of the slot and a second angled surface extending from the distal end of the retainer to the second radial end surface of the slot. In additional embodiments, the retainer can include any of or any combination of a lead-in chamfer at the distal end of the retainer, a relief notch extending from the distal end of the retainer, and a compression slot extending from the relief notch. The retainer may be used independently with the rotating bit or it may be used in conjunction with nearly butted or solid generally cylindrical hollow spacers and/or washers.

Abstract: A bit holder that includes a front body portion and a shank axially depending from the bottom of the front body portion. The shank of the bit holder includes at least one slot and at least one annular ring disposed partially or nearly circumferentially around the shank. The slotted shank of the bit holder and the at least one annular ring are radially compressible to achieve and maintain an interference fit when inserted into a bore of a base block.

Abstract: A diamond coated tip for a non-rotatable bit/holder for road milling operations that includes an overlay of diamond material and a base. An outer surface of the overlay including a tip, at least two parabolic sections, and a generally cylindrical section. The overlay can also include an overfill portion of adjacent the generally cylindrical section.

Abstract: A bit tip insert on a bit/holder, tool, and/or pick for road milling operations that includes a body including a tip and a base subjacent the tip The bit tip insert also includes at least one heat transfer bore extending from a distal end and/or bottom of the body to a bore termination disposed within the base and/or the tip of the bit tip insert. The at least one bore of the bit tip insert is adapted to allow inward contraction when the overlay transfers heat into the base during operation.

Abstract: An improved base block is disclosed for use mainly in road milling equipment, but also capable of use in trenching equipment and mining equipment. The base mounting portion is shortened in length from such prior art base blocks and has a reduced length device receiving portion extending therefrom that includes a bore therethrough. Rearwardly of the device receiving portion, the base mounting portion includes a reduced diameter semi-bore or curved wall capable of engaging a portion of the shank side wall of a standard length bit/holder shank. Additionally, an angled slot adjacent the rear of the device receiving bore increases access to the rear to aid removal of a bit/holder therefrom.

Abstract: A retainer insertion and extraction tool that includes a shaft or handle, a retainer extraction pin at a distal end of the shaft, and a retainer receiving component at a forward end of the shaft. The retainer receiving component includes an annular, generally cylindrical, or cylindrical hammer face mounting, a hammer face, and a retainer capture base that includes a notch configured to receive a magnet and an extending leading edge that, in combination with the notch and magnet, is configured to receive and retain a retainer. The retainer receiving component is configured to insert the retainer into a groove of a bit by applying manual force to hammer face of the hammer face mounting. The retainer extraction pin is configured to remove the retainer from the groove of the bit by applying manual force to the forward end of the shaft, allowing the shaft to pivot against a fulcrum of a base block.

Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a body portion and a shank. The body portion and the shank being coaxial and including a bore extending from a forward end of the body portion to the distal end of the shank. The shank further includes at least two segments, a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is subject to the first segment and includes a taper towards the top segment. The base block includes a base and a shortened front end. The shortened front end having a forward face and a rear face. The forward face including an indentation and the rear face including a slot extending axially inward from the rear face to a position mediate the forward face.

Abstract: A rotatable or non-rotatable bit for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment that includes a substantially solid body and a substantially solid, generally cylindrical shank depending from a bottom of the body. The bit also includes a forward portion integrally formed at a forward end of the body. The forward portion includes a bore adapted to receive a bit tip insert. Additionally, the bit can also include an insert or transition member disposed within the bore of the forward portion, the insert including a bore adapted to receive the bit tip insert.

Abstract: A bit holder includes a larger bit shank bore and an enlarged upper shank segment or band that provides an interference fit between the top of the shank and the top of a bore of a base block when the bottom of a body of the bit holder seats on the top of the base block. The bit holder further includes a lower shank segment being cylindrical, inwardly tapered, and/or outwardly tapered, the lower shank segment having a differential taper than a corresponding lower bore portion of the base block.

Abstract: A rotatable bit cartridge that can be inserted and removed from permanently mounted cutter bodies, bit holders, and/or picks and are used until replacement of the cutter body, bit holder, and/or pick is required. The rotatable bit cartridge may include a forward end with a brazed diamond coated, layered, and/or diamond table bit tip insert or a brazed tungsten carbide bit tip insert. The rotatable bit includes a body that includes a generally cylindrical and/or a tapered first bore extending axially inwardly from a forward end of the body and a bit tip insert comprising a tip and a base subjacent the tip, a portion of the base adjacent a distal end of the bit tip insert disposed within the first bore of the body.

Abstract: A diamond coated tip for a non-rotatable bit/holder for road milling operations that includes an overlay of diamond material and a base. An outer surface of the overlay including a tip, at least two parabolic sections, and a generally cylindrical section. The overlay can also include an overfill portion of adjacent the generally cylindrical section.

Abstract: A unitary diamond bit/holder, tool, and/or pick assembly that includes a forward extension axially extending from a body of the bit/holder and a tungsten carbide ring mounted in an annular trough at a forward end of the body around the forward extension. A diamond tipped bit tip insert is positioned and brazed in a bore of the forward extension, a forward end of the forward extension extending axially above a base of the bit tip insert.

Abstract: A bit that includes reclaiming a substantially solid body from a consumed conical bit. The substantially solid body includes a truncated forward body portion where the destroyed bit was removed and a generally cylindrical shank portion depending axially from the forward body portion. A new forward portion that includes a generally cylindrical bore or a tapered bore axially extending from a forward end of the forward portion is welded to an interface of the truncated forward body portion of the substantially solid body.

Abstract: A unitary bit/holder assembly includes a bit tip insert having a diamond coated tip mounted thereon that is received in a transition member that is brazed onto a forward end of a bit holder. The forward end of the bit holder includes a trough onto which the transition member is mounted. The unitary bit/holder includes a standard length shank or a shortened length shank that can each be mounted into a shortened base block.

Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a forward body portion and a shank. The forward body portion includes an enlarged tire portion to deflect material and particles removed from the terra firma and protect the base block from damage. The base block includes a base and a shortened front end. The enlarged tire portion has dimensions that cover at least all of the shortened from end. The dimensions of the tire portion can also extend beyond the dimensions of the shortened front end.

Abstract: A unitary bit/holder assembly includes a bit tip insert having a diamond coated tip mounted thereon that is received in a transition member that is brazed onto a forward end of a bit holder. The forward end of the bit holder includes a trough onto which the transition member is mounted. The unitary bit/holder includes a standard length shank or a shortened length shank that can each be mounted into a shortened base block.

Abstract: A bit holder that includes a front portion and a shank axially depending from the front portion. The front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. A combination bit holder and base block that includes the bit holder with the front portion having an axial length that is less than the axial length of the shank. The base block including a mounting portion and a device receiving portion, the device receiving portion including a length that is the same or less than a length of the mounting portion. The base block having a device receiving portion that includes a length shorter than a length of the mounting portion adapted to provide increased access to the rear of the bit assembly allowing the base blocks to be mounted closer to each other for micro-milling operations. Shortened bit holder shanks are reconfigured from prior art to provide increased holding power between the bit holder shank and base block bore.

Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a forward body portion and a generally cylindrical shank. The forward body portion includes a plurality of vanes that define a plurality of cavities or flutes configured to carry removable size pieces from a trenched area to the adjacent surface alongside a trenching machine. The spaced cavities are supported by the vertical vanes that also aid in removing the loosened material. The shank of the bit holder includes an annular groove configured to receive a bit retainer once the bit holder is inserted into a bore of a base block.

Abstract: An improved diamond coated bit tip insert for a unitary bit/holder, tool, and/or pick for road milling operations that includes a body including a tip and a base subjacent to the tip. The tip of the bit tip insert includes a substrate and an overlay on an outer surface of the substrate. The base of the bit tip insert includes a tapered sidewall or a cylindrical sidewall, the tapered sidewall providing a greater concentration of force applied at an interface of the overlay and the substrate of the tip during a high pressure high temperature (HPHT) process than when using the cylindrical sidewall and the high pressure, high temperature process.

Abstract: An improved diamond coated tip on a bit/holder for road milling operations has a broadened tip base that provides cutting overlap with adjacent bit/holders resulting in a micro milling type surface when utilizing a regular ? inch center-to-center drum.