Excavator Bucket Tooth Selection Guide

I. First, understand what bucket teeth are

The ‘teeth’ on an excavator bucket are called bucket teeth. They wear down daily and need replacing, making them one of the most frequently used components on an excavator. Now let's discuss how to select suitable bucket teeth for high efficiency and low cost.

II. Selecting by Application Scenario: Tailored Solutions for Greater Efficiency

1. Earthmoving Operations (Excavating Loose Soil, Sandy Soil)

What to choose?‌ Flat-tip bucket teeth (e.g., Caterpillar 200 earthmoving teeth)

Why?‌ Remain sharp even after wear, minimise resistance during digging for high efficiency; ideal for frequent loading/unloading tasks with low impact, such as farmland reclamation or foundation excavation.

Case Study: Laying pipelines in sandy soil areas with flat-front bucket teeth saves 30% fuel consumption and reduces tooth replacement frequency.

2. Rock/Hard Rock Operations (Excavating Granite, Limestone)

What to choose? RC-type or rock teeth (e.g., PC400 forged teeth)

Why? Excellent wear resistance withstands rock impacts; sharp-angled design penetrates rock effectively, minimising tooth jamming.

Case Study: In quarries excavating hard rock, these teeth last over twice as long as standard teeth.

3. Coal Mining/Frozen Ground Operations (High Hardness, High Impact)

What to choose? TL-type teeth or conical teeth (e.g., Yasheng PC300)

Why? The conical structure resists impact, providing greater stability in frozen ground without brittle failure due to low temperatures.

Case Study: At -30°C, TL-type teeth withstand frozen ground excavation while minimising failures.

III. Processes and Materials: Balancing Performance and Cost

1. Forging vs Casting Processes

Forged bucket teeth: Dense grain structure, 20%-30% higher wear resistance than cast teeth, suitable for high-intensity tasks (e.g., rock crushing).

Cast bucket teeth: Cost-effective, ideal for earthmoving projects with limited budgets, though offering slightly lower wear resistance.

2. Material Selection

Standard teeth: 45# steel. Sufficient for earthmoving tasks, offering good value.

High-hardness teeth: 65HRC+ (e.g., CAT teeth). Opt for these in rock applications for extended service life.

Specialised materials: Wear-resistant alloy steel. Service life increases by 30%-50%, but comes at a premium – budget permitting.

IV. How to Match Equipment Tonnage and Mounting Method?

1. Excavators under 20 tonnes

What to choose? Direct-mount bucket teeth

Why? Easy disassembly, ideal for frequent tooth changes (e.g., municipal works, small-scale earthmoving).

2. Excavators over 20 tonnes

What to choose? Side-mount bucket teeth

Why? Superior compression resistance, more stable for large-scale mining and hydraulic engineering.

V. Cost-Effectiveness and Maintenance: How to Save Money Over the Entire Lifecycle?

1. How to Balance Costs?

Economy Option: Opt for cast bucket teeth (e.g., Yasheng). Ideal for earthmoving projects with tight budgets.

High Return Option: Choose forged bucket teeth (e.g., PC400 forged teeth). Though higher upfront cost, their extended lifespan means fewer replacements and reduced downtime, making them cost-effective in the long run.

2. How to Maintain?

Regular Inspection: Check wear every 50 hours and replace promptly to prevent equipment damage.

Fuel-Saving Tip: Severely worn bucket teeth increase fuel consumption; timely replacement saves fuel.

VI. Brand and Model Recommendations (Wear Resistance Comparison)

VII. Summary: How to Choose the Most Reliable Option?

Earthmoving Operations: Prioritise flat-head teeth for a balance between cost and efficiency.

Rock/Hard Rock: Opt for RC-type or forged teeth, where wear resistance is paramount.

Coal Mining/Frozen Ground: Select TL-type or conical teeth, where impact resistance is critical.

Maintenance: Conduct regular wear inspections and replace teeth promptly to save fuel and protect equipment.