Abstract: A retainer includes a drive portion defining a drive portion outer diameter, and a lug receiving portion with a skirt defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The skirt also defines a skirt outer diameter that is greater than the drive portion outer diameter. Also, the drive portion has a hook tab that extends from the drive portion and that is spaced away from the skirt a minimum distance.

Abstract: A fastening device for wear elements in earth-moving machines, related to a fastening device of the type that is arranged between two parts, components or elements of an earth-moving machine for the fastening or coupling between both parts or elements. The device has at least one mobile blocking element and autonomous activation mechanism of the mobile blocking element, which enables the mobile blocking element to be activated such that, once the fastening device is inserted in a housing for this purpose in any of the parts to be coupled, the effective coupling is achieved at a certain distance from the fastening device, and even from the machine.

Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, and a shank extending from the working portion or the wear portion, defining a longitudinal axis, and a first lock receiving groove that defines an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank.

Abstract: A ground engaging tool assembly includes a ground engaging tip, an adapter, and a wear cap. The ground engaging tip has a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion including an interior surface defining a coupler pocket with an adapter opening and first and second lug openings. The adapter includes a mounting nose with first and second retention lugs extending from sides of the mounting nose along oblique taper angles. The mounting nose is disposed within the coupler pocket of the ground engaging tip with the first and second retention lugs extending into the first and second lug openings, respectively. The base includes a shoulder surface and a retention surface that define a mounting groove therebetween. The wear cap includes a mounting rail that is disposed within the mounting groove of the adapter to mount the wear cap thereto.

Abstract: A ground engaging tool assembly includes a ground engaging tip, an adapter, and a wear cap. The ground engaging tip has a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion including an interior surface defining a coupler pocket with an adapter opening and first and second lug openings. The adapter includes a mounting nose with first and second retention lugs extending from sides of the mounting nose along oblique taper angles. The mounting nose is disposed within the coupler pocket of the ground engaging tip with the first and second retention lugs extending into the first and second lug openings, respectively. The base includes a shoulder surface and a retention surface that define a mounting groove therebetween. The wear cap includes a mounting rail that is disposed within the mounting groove of the adapter to mount the wear cap thereto.

Abstract: A wear assembly for use on various kinds of earth working equipment that includes a base with a supporting portion, a wear member with a cavity into which the supporting portion is received, and a lock to releasably secure the wear member to the base. The supporting portion is formed with top and bottom recesses that receive complementary projections of the wear member. These recesses and projections include aligned holes so as to receive and position the lock centrally within the wear assembly and remote from the wear surface. The hole in the wear member is defined by a wall that includes a retaining structure provided with an upper bearing surface and a lower bearing surface for contacting and retaining the lock against upward and downward movement in the hole. The lock includes a mounting component that defines a threaded opening for receiving a threaded pin that is used to releasably hold the wear member to the base.

Abstract: An articulated lock for securing a wear member to earth-working equipment includes a plurality of bodies interconnected for pivotal movement between an extended orientation with the bodies aligned and a retracted orientation with the bodies folded. The lock in the extended orientation can engage an opening of the wear member at an inner hold position to secure the wear member to the earth-working equipment or an outer release position. In the folded orientation the lock disengages from the opening of the wear member. Each body has a slot and a tab and, in the extended orientation, the tab of each body is received in the slot of the other body to limit separation of the bodies.

Abstract: A tip and adapter assembly includes a spring loaded retainer that includes a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive portion defines a second maximum outside dimension, and a first flat is disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall.

Abstract: A retainer sleeve for use with a lock in a ground engaging tool. The retainer sleeve may include an outer skirt extending around a retainer axis, where the outer skirt may include an outer surface formed to mate with a lock cavity of the ground engaging tool. The retainer sleeve can further include an inner sleeve flexibly connected to the outer skirt via a lower bend. The inner skirt may be formed to rotatably receive an outer surface of the lock. The retainer sleeve may also include a detent projection extending radially inward from the inner skirt with respect to the retainer axis and formed to engage a detent recess of the lock to releasably hold the lock.

Abstract: A power locking device has a body including a blind bore with an electroactive polymer disposed in the blind bore, and a sliding lock member that is disposed in the blind bore and that contacts the electroactive polymer. A current source is in electrical communication with the electroactive polymer.

Abstract: A bolt retention assembly defines a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The bolt retention assembly includes an adapter including a forward abutment portion and a rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion. The adapter may also define an interior aperture. The bolt retention assembly further includes a slide including a forward threaded portion configured to fit within the interior aperture of the adapter, and a rearward vertically oriented cradle portion configured to receive the rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion of the adapter.

Abstract: A wear member assembly may include a nose attachable to a bucket lip. The nose may include a rear portion having a first set of substantially planar surfaces including a first, second, and third subset of surfaces. The third subset of surfaces may be angled and positioned between the first subset of surfaces and the second subset of surfaces. The nose may also include a forward portion positioned forwardly adjacent to the rear portion, the forward portion having a second set of substantially planar surfaces including a fourth, fifth, and sixth subset of surfaces. The sixth set of surfaces may be angled and positioned between the first subset of surfaces and the second subset of surfaces. The wear member assembly may also include a wear member having a cavity comprising rear and forward bearing surfaces corresponding to the third and sixth subset of surfaces.

Abstract: A shroud configured to be attached to a work implement comprises a ground engaging surface with a convex acruate portion, a first concave arcuate portion on one side of the convex arcuate portion, and a second concave arcuate portion on the other side of the convex arcuate portion, or an upper outside loading surface extending from the ground engaging surface including a first concave arcuate loading portion, a first convex arcuate loading portion, and a second convex arcuate loading portion, or a slot the defines a front clearance face with a first rearward facing pad therefrom.

Abstract: Wear members for wear assemblies include a lock configured to secure the wear member to a base, where the lock has two engagement positions, namely: (a) a first position that secures the lock to the wear member, and (b) a second position that secures the wear member to the base. The locks are further configured to be unlatched and removed from the wear member in two phases, a first retraction of the latching mechanism, followed by a rotation of the lock itself with removal from the wear member.

Abstract: An articulated lock for securing a wear member to earth-working equipment includes a plurality of bodies interconnected for pivotal movement between an extended orientation with the bodies aligned and a retracted orientation with the bodies folded. The lock in the extended orientation can engage an opening of the wear member at an inner hold position to secure the wear member to the earth-working equipment or an outer release position. In the folded orientation the lock disengages from the opening of the wear member. Each body has a slot and a tab and, in the extended orientation, the tab of each body is received in the slot of the other body to limit separation of the bodies.

Abstract: A wear plate assembly includes a base having a slot with an enlarged aperture, and a wear plate having a wear surface and a hold recessed below the wear surface. The wear plate moves between a free condition and an applied condition covering the base. The assembly includes a nut and a key. The nut has a bore to receive the key, and is applicable through the aperture into the slot. The nut moves between a first position registered in the aperture and a second position offset from the aperture where the nut is captured under the base. In the applied condition of the wear plate and the second position of the nut, the bore is registered with the slot and the hold to define a keyway, and the key is applicable to the keyway for engagement with the nut to secure the wear plate on the base.

Abstract: A grapple tip includes an outer volume having a working end with a rounded surface. The grapple tip may further include a mounting end, a right side, a left side, a bottom surface, and a top surface. The top surface features a grooved recess that may help the device pick up, hold on to, and transport heavy items such as lumber or construction implements across significant distances. In addition, the grapple tip may also have a raised projection extending from the mounting end to ensure a secure and correct mounting on a damaged grapple assembly claw. The grapple tip is useful for upgrading or replacing existing tips that may have become damaged or worn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rounded edge “cutting edge” blade that attaches either directly to the bottom of a plow blade mold board or that attaches to the front side of a traditional cutting edge blade that is already mounted to the mold board using the existing mounting bolts and holes already present. The rounded edge of the blade, when making contact with the ground surface, will not get caught on cracks or irregular surfaces. The rounded edge can be made of steel, polyurethane, rubber or other appropriate composite material and the thickness can vary depending upon the blade and vehicle being mounted to.

Abstract: A system for connecting a tool to an implement may have a clamp with a first side, and a second side with teeth. The system may also have a wedge with a body configured to engage the second side of the clamp, a channel formed in the body, and a collar. The wedge may additionally have an elongated pocket formed in the body, a first ramp extending between the channel and an end of the elongated pocket, and a second ramp located at a point between a base end of the body and the first ramp. The first and second ramps may be inclined relative to an axis of the channel. The system may further have a slider with a toothed surface configured to engage the teeth of the clamp when the slider is in the channel, and a fastener threadingly engaged with the slider.

Abstract: A ground-engaging tool system includes an adapter attachable to a work implement and a ground-engaging tip that is releasably connectable to the adapter. To releasably mate the adapter and the tip, the adapter may include a projecting lug post that locks and unlocks with a rotatable, latch-like retainer in the tip. The lug post may be a frustum or frustoconical structure having a truncated flat and an exterior side surface that intersect at a peripheral edge. The shape of the truncated flat, peripheral edge, and exterior side surface may further be delineated by a first radius and a second radius of different dimensions, or by radii having first and second centers that are not coincident in location on the truncated flat.

Abstract: A tooth for attachment to a cutter head arm. The tooth has a front wear part and a rear coupling part, the rear coupling part having a main body with a rear free end and a forward end. The main body has a first upper surface, a first lower surface and two side surfaces joining both upper and lower surfaces, with the distance between the first upper surface and first lower surface decreasing towards the rear free end, side projections, and upper and lower segments. Each side surface has a side projection with a second upper surface parallel to a second lower surface, the second upper surface approximately parallel to a lower segment, and the second lower surface approximately parallel to an upper segment. The distance between the second upper surface and the second lower surfaces is smaller than the distance between the upper segment and the lower segment.

Abstract: Locking devices and components for wear assemblies for securing a wear part to the blade or lip of an excavator. The wear part will usually be a tooth adaptor, and when placed on the blade both parts determine a channel where the locking device is placed. The locking device will usually include a C-clamp member for mounting in the rearward of the channel, a front structure to engage to the frontward of the channel and a wedge structure placed between the C-clamp member and the front structure.

Abstract: A retention assembly for connecting two pieces of heavy equipment, such as a shovel and a tooth adapter, is described. A slot is formed when the tooth adapter is fit over the end of the shovel. The retention assembly includes an adapter configured to fit into the slot and against the shovel or the tooth adapter. A shim is also in the slot, separated from the adapter by a gap. A wedge nut is also applied to the slot, between the adapter and the shim. The wedge nut is applied to a rod. Movement of the wedge nut along the rod imparts a change in dimension of the gap to bind the retention assembly within the slot and thus secure the tooth adapter on the shovel.

Abstract: A lock for an excavation tooth assembly comprising: a body; and a locking element mounted to the body, wherein the locking element is capable of adopting an inserting configuration with respect to the body to enable the lock to be inserted through a cavity in a nose and is capable of adopting a lockable configuration with respect to the body in which the locking element is arranged for engaging a tooth member mounted to the nose to lock the tooth member to the nose.

Abstract: A breaker tine comprises a front elongated portion, a rear elongated portion, a nose portion extending from the front elongated portion at an opposite end from the rear elongated portion, and a replaceable ground engaging tool coupled to the nose portion of the breaker tine. The breaker tine may include pins for attaching the ground engaging tool to the breaker tine. The breaker tine may further include a first receiving cavity formed in a first side of the nose portion, and a second receiving cavity formed in a second side of the nose portion, wherein the first receiving cavity is opposite the second receiving cavity but do not communicate or connect with each other.

Abstract: A retention lobe for a ground engaging tip may include a lobe base having a base outline, wherein at least a portion of the base outline may lie in a base plane. The base outline may include a front base edge and a rear base edge opposite the front base edge. The retention lobe may also include a lobe outer surface spaced from the lobe base and extending from the front base edge to the rear base edge. The lobe outer surface may include a front lobe outer surface extending from the front base edge obliquely relative to the base plane and toward the rear base edge. The lobe outer surface may further include a rear lobe outer surface extending obliquely relative to the front lobe outer surface, such that the rear lobe outer surface tapers relative to the front lobe outer surface toward the base plane.

Abstract: A connection assembly for mounting a ground engaging tool to earthmoving equipment includes a body into which is received a resilient member, a force applying member, a locking member with an O-ring seal to be received in an annular channel around the locking member, a locking member stop received in a hole in the locking member, and a body stop to be fitted into an aperture under the body. The locking member stop prevents the force applying member from rotating within the body when the bolt is rotated and advances the piston by threaded engagement.

Abstract: A wear member including a body including a leg having an inner face and a first pocket formed in the inner face of the leg. A second pocket may be formed in the inner face of the leg and spaced apart from the first pocket by a passage extending between the first pocket and the second pocket in a direction parallel to a main axis of the body. The second pocket may include a curved abutment surface generally facing away from the first pocket.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip having a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion in opposing relationship to the ground engaging portion. The coupling portion includes a side wall and an interlock tab. The side wall at least partially defines a coupler pocket. The interlock tab has a base end and a proximal end. The base end of is contiguous with the side wall, and the interlock tab extends from the base end to the proximal end in a direction substantially away from the ground engaging portion. The proximal end includes a perimeter with a curved terminal edge.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip comprising a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes an interior surface, a side wall, and an interlock tab. The interior surface defines a coupler pocket and has a base wall. The side wall and the base wall define the coupler pocket. The interlock tab has a base end and a proximal end. The base end of the interlock tab is contiguous with the side wall, and the interlock tab extends from the base end to the proximal end. The sidewall defines a retention orifice. A ratio of a first distance, measured from the center of the retention orifice to the base wall and a second longitudinal distance, measured from the center of the retention orifice to the proximal end is about 3:2 or less.

Abstract: A wear member stabilization system can include a wear member having recesses formed therein on opposing sides of an excavator lip receiving slot, the recesses receiving therein respective stabilization abutments which protrude outwardly from respective opposing inner and outer sides of the lip. A method of stabilizing a wear member on an excavator lip can include welding stabilization abutments to respective inner and outer sides of the lip, sliding the wear member onto the excavator lip, thereby engaging the stabilization abutments with respective recesses formed in the wear member, the stabilization abutments contacting lateral sides of the recesses between a forward end of the excavator lip and an opening extending through the excavator lip, thereby limiting lateral movement of the wear member relative to the excavator lip.

Abstract: A ground engaging tool system comprising a ground engaging tip. The ground engaging tip includes an interior surface with a coupler pocket having an opening. The interior surface has a base wall and a first and second side wall. The tip defines a first and second coupler face walls having a planar portion and a curved portion. The planar portion is adjacent the base wall, and the curved portion adjacent the opening. The ground engaging tool system includes a coupler movably connected to the ground engaging tip between a nominal position and a maximum rotated pitch position. The coupler includes a mounting nose with a first and second exterior face surface and is within the coupler pocket. Between the nominal position and the maximum rotated pitch position, the curved portion coupler face walls are in non-contacting, spaced relationship with the coupler.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip comprising a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion in opposing relationship to the ground engaging portion along a longitudinal axis. The coupling portion includes an interior surface defining a coupler pocket, and an interlock tab extending along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the ground engaging portion. The interlock tab terminates at a proximal end and has an inner and outer lateral surface. The inner lateral surface has a proximal planar portion and a concave portion. The proximal end of the interlock tab has a proximal end width measured along a lateral axis measured between the outer lateral surface and the proximal planar portion. The concave portion has a radius of curvature greater than the proximal end width.

Abstract: A coupler comprising a tip mounting portion and an implement mounting portion. The implement mounting portion defines an implement pocket with a central wall having an abutment surface and a coupler side wall having a distal end adjacent the central wall and a proximal end. The side wall has a side interior surface facing the implement pocket and adjacent the abutment surface. The side interior surface defines a recessed portion adjacent the abutment surface. The recessed portion is offset laterally outward of the side interior surface. The side wall has a base portion at the proximal end with a base exterior surface and an interlock portion at a distal end of the coupler side wall that has an interlock exterior recess surface, the base portion width greater than the interlock portion width. The recessed portion extends between the abutment surface and a transition surface, spanning the interlock portion.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip comprising a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes an interior surface that includes a coupler pocket. The interior surface has a base wall, a first coupler face wall, and a second coupler face wall. The first and second coupler face wall extend from the base wall to an opening of the coupler pocket. The first and second coupler face wall include a distal planar portion adjacent the base wall. The first and second coupler face include a first convex portion adjacent the distal planar portion, a concave portion adjacent the first convex portion, and a second convex portion adjacent the first concave portion such that the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a lock for a ground engaging tool. The lock may include a head portion and a C-shaped skirt extending from the head portion. The skirt may define a lock slot for receiving a portion of a support member to be locked with the ground engaging tool. The skirt may also include an outer surface configured to be rotatably received in an inner surface of a retainer bushing. The outer surface may include a recessed portion that is configured to create a gap between a base surface of the recessed portion and the inner surface of the retainer bushing when the outer surface of the skirt is rotatably received in the inner surface of the retainer bushing.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip of a tooth assembly for a base edge of a ground engaging implement, is provided, wherein the tooth assembly includes an adapter configured for attachment to a base edge of the ground engaging implement and having a forwardly extending adapter nose. In various embodiments, the ground engaging tip is configured for digging into work material in diverse earth moving environments.

Abstract: A process and tool for monitoring the status, health, and performance of wear parts used on earth working equipment. The process and tool allow the operator to optimize the performance of the earth working equipment. The tool has a clear line of site to the wear parts during use and may be integrated with a bucket or blade on the earth working equipment.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching a replaceable wearing part to a leading edge of an implement includes a wearing-part holder configured to be received and fixed to a supporting surface formed at the leading edge of the implement and a replaceable wearing part. One of the wearing-part holder and the wearing part forms an attachment projection and the other of the wearing-part holder and the wearing part forms a corresponding socket. The attachment projection and the socket are provided with corresponding, cooperating guide portions. The guide portions of the wearing-part holder are formed as guide faces racing the supporting surface and being slanted relative to the supporting surfaces in a direction falling when moving away from the leading edge.

Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a retainer system for a ground engaging tool. The retainer system may include a lock having a lock rotation axis and including an outer surface extending about the lock rotation axis and a retainer bushing having a retainer axis and an inner surface extending about the retainer axis. The inner surface may be configured to rotatably receive the outer surface of the lock. At least a portion of the outer surface may have a varying radius with respect to the lock rotation axis.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip of a tooth assembly for a base edge of a ground engaging implement, is provided, wherein the tooth assembly includes an adapter configured for attachment to a base edge of the ground engaging implement and having a forwardly extending adapter nose. The adapter nose and an adapter cavity of the tip may be configured with surfaces to increase retention when downward forces are applied to the tip.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip of a tooth assembly for a base edge of a ground engaging implement, is provided, wherein the tooth assembly includes an adapter configured for attachment to a base edge of the ground engaging implement and having a forwardly extending adapter nose. The ground engaging tip may have a substantially keystone-shaped contour providing additional wear material at the top surface for use in top-wearing earth moving applications.

Abstract: A bucket tooth assembly is mounted to an adapter provided to a distal end part of a bucket of construction equipment. The bucket assembly includes a bucket tooth and a latching member. The bucket tooth has a cavity for inserting the adapter and a through-hole that is provided to the side face and communicates through to the adapter when the bucket tooth has been mounted to the adapter. The through-hole has a center axis. The latching member is fitted inside the through-hole and having a rotational axis disposed along a direction of the center axis and a bottom part provided to an end on an adapter side in an axial direction. The latching member is rotated to switch between a first state in which the bottom part is held inside the through-hole and a second state in which the bottom part protrudes toward a concave portion on the adapter side.

Abstract: A wear assembly with strain relief protects exposed surfaces of excavating equipment such as a bucket lip. Wear components may include a seat where loads are applied, welding flanges flanking the seat on opposite ends of the component welded to the equipment, and strain relief areas between each welding flange and the seat. The strain relief balances stresses from loading in the wear assembly across the weld flange to limit cracking from stress concentrations. Strain relief may include modification of material properties or modification of component configuration to reduce stiffness of the component between the weld flanges and the seat.

Abstract: A securing apparatus including a first and second component. The first component has an opening extending along an axis. The elongated member has a piston hole penetrating the first component and aligned with the opening. A piston is located within the piston hole, and is complimentary shaped to sit within the piston. A pressure member is located within the opening, and an activator is configured to coordinate with and extend into the opening. The activator applies a force to the pressure member and distorts the pressure member. The second component, which compliments and mates with the first component, has an engaging surface that coordinates with an end of the piston. The force applied to the pressure member causes the pressure member to distort and apply pressure to the piston to extend the piston outward to interact with the engaging surface of the second component to restrain the second component.

Abstract: Telescoped ground engaging telescoped wear and support members are provided with self-adjusting connector apparatus that releasably retains the wear member in a rearwardly telescoped orientation on the support member. In illustrated embodiments thereof, the connector apparatus includes cooperating ratchet structures operatively associated with the support and wear members and functioning to automatically re-tighten an abrasion-created loosened interfit between the wear and support members in response to a rearwardly directed operational force imposed on the wear member.

Abstract: An edge protector for mounting to a lip of a ground engaging tool and shielding an edge of the lip is disclosed. The edge protector may include a tip configured to extend forward from the edge of the lip of the ground engaging tool. The edge protector may also include a first mounting leg extending rearward from the tip. Additionally, the edge protector may include a second mounting leg extending rearward from the tip and spaced from the first mounting leg by a recess configured to receive the lip of the ground engaging tool between the first mounting leg and the second mounting leg. The first mounting leg may include a lock cavity configured to house a lock in such a manner that the lock is sandwiched between the first mounting leg and the lip of the ground engaging tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a lock for a ground engaging tool. The lock may include a head portion and a C-shaped portion extending from the head portion. The C-shaped portion may include an inner surface extending between a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end to define a lock slot. The inner surface may include a first inner surface extending from the first circumferential end to a midpoint between the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end and a second inner surface extending from the second circumferential end to the midpoint. The first inner surface and the second inner surface may be symmetrical with respect to a first plane substantially parallel to a lock rotation axis.

Abstract: A ground engaging tip comprising a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes an interior surface that includes a coupler pocket. The interior surface has a base wall, a first coupler face wall, and a second coupler face wall. The first and second coupler face wall extend from the base wall to an opening of the coupler pocket. The first and second coupler face wall include a distal planar portion adjacent the base wall. The first and second coupler face include a first convex portion adjacent the distal planar portion, a concave portion adjacent the first convex portion, and a second convex portion adjacent the first concave portion such that the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

Abstract: A ground engaging tool system comprising a ground engaging tip. The ground engaging tip includes an interior surface with a coupler pocket having an opening. The interior surface has a base wall and a first and second side wall. The tip defines a first and second coupler face walls having a planar portion and a curved portion. The planar portion is adjacent the base wall, and the curved portion adjacent the opening. The ground engaging tool system includes a coupler movably connected to the ground engaging tip between a nominal position and a maximum rotated pitch position. The coupler includes a mounting nose with a first and second exterior face surface and is within the coupler pocket. Between the nominal position and the maximum rotated pitch position, the curved portion coupler face walls are in non-contacting, spaced relationship with the coupler.