Unsure what bucket tooth you’ve got on your bucket? Use this guide to find out.
There are several ways to determine your bucket tooth fitment style and size. Most of our customers are not sure about the types of bucket teeth they should purchase or use, so we recommend some methods to guide them for better application.
Normally, investment casting manufacturer will cast the part number of a bucket tooth directly outside the surface of the tooth. If you can’t locate it or make it out, then follow our guide below.
I. Side pin or Top pin
SIDE PIN
There are many side pin bucket tooth fitment styles. By far the most popular is the Cat J-Series. We also stock Komatsu bucket teeth.
Here’s how to tell which is which.
CAT J-SERIES
Cat J-Series pins run horizontally through the tooth and adapter.
J-series has a pin and separate retainer. The pins have a recessed groove at one end to seat the retainer that is inserted into the adapter.
J-Series adapters have a recessed area on one side of the nose that retainer is inserted into.
KOMATSU
Komatsu bucket teeth have an integrated centre-ring pin and retainer that looks like this.
Komatsu adapters is different from Cat J-Series, they have no recessed area for a retainer on the nose.
TOP PIN
ESCO CONICAL
ESCO Conical bucket teeth have a vertical pin system. The hole is on the top and is rectangular shape with a square top and rounded bottom.
The pins and rubber retainers look like this:
The top end of the tooth tends to have a rounded shape that fits into a concave counterspace on the adapter.
II. Machine size
Once you have identified the fitment style, the next step is to confirm the fitment size. The quickest way to narrow down where to look is to use the machine size. The correct size adapters should be fitted to a bucket that is designed for a specific machine size. Correct advice isn’t always followed but it is a good start to help identify your fitment size.
Here is a chart that matches the correct machine tonnage with fitment sizes:
| Tonnage | 4-6 | 7-8 | 7-10 | 10-15 | 15-20 | 20-25 | 25-30 | 35-40 | 45-50 | 50-60 |
| Cat J-Series |
J200 | J225 | J225 | J250 | J300 | J350 | J400 | J460 | J550 | J600 |
| ESCO Conical | 18 | 22 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | ||
| Komatsu | 200 (205) | 200 (205) | 200 (205) | 300 (207) | 400 (208) | 600 (109) | 600 (109) |
III. Pin and retainer size
The most accurate way to determine your fitment size is to measure your pins and retainers because they are manufactured to more exacting measurements than cast teeth.
Since you know what fitment size matches your machine tonnage you can view the product listings for the pin and retainer in that size.
Each product listing has a table of measurements that reference a diagram in the product image gallery.
Check that the measurements of your pin/retainer closely match those listed to confirm your fitment size. If the measurements differ, then check the measurements of pin/retainers for the fitment sizes to see if you find a better match.
IV. Tooth pocket size
If you’re still unsure, or you want to double-check your result, you can measure the interior pocket opening of your worn/other teeth. The pocket is the area that the adapter nose fits into. The interior pocket is subject to minimal wear during the life of a bucket tooth. This makes it a good location to compare measurements.
Measure the height and width of the top opening of the pocket and compare with the table of measurements on a product listing. If you find a close match then you’re looking at the right product.
V. Success!
If you feel confident that you’ve identified your tooth then you can send the part number of bucket teeth to us for quoting first. Then start your ordering once our price is reasonable.
If you’re still unsure, our engineer can recommend a right type for your application, and our samples can be provided for inspection.