Bucket teeth - bolt up or down?

[ning]

I had a couple broken teeth and decided to get a full set to replace; I'll keep the two old ones that weren't broken as spares.

The teeth came shipped to me with the bolt head up and nut underneath:

but I had my old teeth the other way, like this:

I figure that the bolt heads fit nicely in the recess underneath and this way there's no bolt threads being dragged through the dirt, but I could see a complaint that it's more likely to hold on to dirt in the bucket in this orientation.

Thoughts?

Also - these teeth are pricey, but I haven't found an alternative to fit - bolt spacing is 50mm (2"), 14mm bolt holes. I'd consider pin-on teeth if those are thought to be good; suspect any change may have to go to a welded on carrier for the pin-on?

 

[Torvy]

My pea brain says nut on the bottom. Less likely to lose the tooth if a nut comes loose. The other way around, the whole bolt would fall out.

 

[John0829]

Nut on the bottom was always the way we did it on equipment when I worked at the rock quarry.

 

[ning]

The lock washer doesn't really fit in the recess on the bottom until it's smashed into place by the nut, while it fits well on top.

The recess on the bottom is the perfect size to hold the bolt head and keep it from spinning as the nut is tightened - if the nut is on the bottom, it has to be tightened by spinning the bolt head instead.

 

[ruffdog]

The lock washer doesn't really fit in the recess on the bottom until it's smashed into place by the nut, while it fits well on top.

The recess on the bottom is the perfect size to hold the bolt head and keep it from spinning as the nut is tightened - if the nut is on the bottom, it has to be tightened by spinning the bolt head instead.View attachment 976740

That is how I would do it....nut on top.

 

[M59]

I had a couple broken teeth and decided to get a full set to replace; I'll keep the two old ones that weren't broken as spares.

The teeth came shipped to me with the bolt head up and nut underneath:
View attachment 975873

but I had my old teeth the other way, like this:
View attachment 975874

I figure that the bolt heads fit nicely in the recess underneath and this way there's no bolt threads being dragged through the dirt, but I could see a complaint that it's more likely to hold on to dirt in the bucket in this orientation.

Thoughts?

Also - these teeth are pricey, but I haven't found an alternative to fit - bolt spacing is 50mm (2"), 14mm bolt holes. I'd consider pin-on teeth if those are thought to be good; suspect any change may have to go to a welded on carrier for the pin-on?

I'm of the opinion the bolts are much cheaper than teeth so I'd want the head on the bottom, in the recess, and the nut on top with some extra thread proud of the nut. Then I'd peen over the threads to permanently lock that nut onto the bolt. Either way, if excess threads beyond nut, are up or down they are going to get chewed up with rock, sand, what ever your moving so peen them over. Looks like you have some slop somewhere in the bolted on teeth and they are flexing and breaking between the two bolts.

I prefer welded on teeth roots and then just buying new pin-on tips when they get worn. Once roots are in place then you have much wider choice for tips depending upon what type of work your doing. Quick pic of Hensley teeth from Amazon.

 

[oosik]

I just checked the teeth on my bucket. Nuts up - head down. A suggestion - blue LokTite on the nuts. Or peen over the threads as M59 suggests.

 

[sandman2234]

I am of the opinion that that if the nut comes off, you still want the bolt to try to keep the tooth on. If nut on top, as soon as you loose the nut, you loose the tooth.
Ain't no tooth fairy going to take one if you loose it in a pile of dirt or rock! They require them to be under your pillow!
David from jax

 

[ning]

I'm of the opinion the bolts are much cheaper than teeth so I'd want the head on the bottom, in the recess, and the nut on top with some extra thread proud of the nut. Then I'd peen over the threads to permanently lock that nut onto the bolt. Either way, if excess threads beyond nut, are up or down they are going to get chewed up with rock, sand, what ever your moving so peen them over. Looks like you have some slop somewhere in the bolted on teeth and they are flexing and breaking between the two bolts.

I prefer welded on teeth roots and then just buying new pin-on tips when they get worn. Once roots are in place then you have much wider choice for tips depending upon what type of work your doing. Quick pic of Hensley teeth from Amazon.

View attachment 976786

I think I'll go this route "if" (haha) these ones break.

I just got a ripper for the backhoe though so I'm hoping I won't be abusing the teeth so badly!