Types of Excavator Teeth
The types of excavator teeth directly influence productivity, fuel consumption and machine cost per hour. At Cohidrex we work with the Trasteel Elite and Trasteel Commodity ranges, covering everything from general-purpose excavator bucket teeth to high-performance solutions for rock and recycling. We also offer mini excavator bucket teeth and specific teeth for wheel loaders and backhoe loaders. In this guide we explain how to choose, which profiles exist and where to buy excavator teeth with technical support.
What an Excavator Tooth Is and Why It Matters
The tooth is the wear part that contacts the ground directly and therefore suffers the most. Its geometry, alloy and locking system determine penetration and the service life of the assembly. When considering the price of excavator teeth, it is advisable to evaluate overall performance: a suitable tooth reduces cycle times, limits wear on the adapter and lip, and improves profitability. In other words, the material quality and design of excavator teeth make a real difference on site.
Trasteel Elite Classification by Application
The Trasteel Elite family offers specific profiles for each application and soil type. This classification helps you identify the ideal tooth for your job, from excavator tooth sales for general use to severe applications with high abrasion. Below is a selection of representative models with links to their data sheets:
- Penetration Elite P — General-purpose tooth providing a balance between penetration and service life in low-compaction soils.
- Heavy Duty Elite PHD — Reinforced tip for abrasive materials, featuring a self-sharpening profile that maintains cutting ability.
- Tiger Elite V — Extra penetration for very compact terrain; breaks crusts and reduces machine effort.
- Twin Elite TU — Double penetration for hard clays, frozen ground and conglomerates; excellent initial break-out.
- Loader Elite L — Tooth for wheel loaders in aggregates and loose, low-abrasion material.
- Loader Heavy Duty Elite LHD — Reinforced for rock, recycling and high-impact applications.
- Top Pin Elite L — Tooth for backhoe loaders with top pin; enables quick installation and removal of excavator teeth.
- Bolt-On Elite L — Bolt-on tooth for backhoe and mini excavator; stable and easy to replace in the field.
- Ripper Tooth SM — Reinforced, self-sharpening ripper tip for scarifying very hard ground.
To complete the wear package, Trasteel Elite includes adapters with wear cap for severe work and a wide catalog of bucket protection systems (lips, sides and heels) that extend bucket life.
Locking Systems and Compatibilities
Besides the profile, types of excavator teeth differ by their fastening system. Cohidrex supplies teeth and excavator adapters compatible with the most common standards, making cross-reference and replacement easier in mixed fleets. These are the most widespread systems in excavator bucket teeth from leading brands:
- Caterpillar J and Caterpillar K — The most common on Caterpillar excavator teeth for civil works and mining.
- Komatsu, Volvo, Doosan, Hyundai, JCB — Including Super V and Uni-Z systems; very common in searches like uni-z excavator teeth.
- Compatibilities with ESCO-style systems — Ideal when an equivalent replacement for ESCO excavator teeth is needed.
If you need a partner with multiplatform coverage and in-house manufacturing, Cohidrex is a manufacturer of excavator and loader bucket teeth; we help you select the most cost-effective tooth–adapter combination for your equipment.
How to Choose the Tooth According to the Material
Before selecting a model, define the predominant terrain, compaction level, presence of fines or rock, and the production target. This quick guide relates types of excavator teeth to real-world use to help you choose correctly:
- Loose soil or sand — Penetration Elite P or Loader Elite L: fast bucket fill and controlled wear.
- Abrasive material (quarries, mining, recycling) — Heavy Duty Elite PHD or Loader Heavy Duty LHD: maximum durability and lower cost per ton.
- Very compact ground — Tiger Elite V or Twin Elite TU: aggressive tip and self-sharpening design to maintain penetration.
- Scarifying ground — Ripper Tooth SM: opens the terrain before bucket attack and reduces machine stress.
For mini excavators and backhoes, Top Pin and Bolt-On systems simplify assembly and maintenance. If you have doubts, call us: we match the profile to the job and bucket to balance performance and service life.
Adapters, Protection and Hardware
Tooth performance also depends on the adapter and bucket protection. A proper excavator tooth adapter ensures correct locking and avoids play; lip and side protectors reduce structural wear and stabilise material flow. Recommended combinations:
Recommended set: correct tooth + proper adapter + bucket protection. This triad reduces vibration, minimizes downtime and improves cost per hour.
How They Are Manufactured and Why They Last
High-performance teeth are made of alloy steels with high hardness and toughness, cast and heat-treated (quenching and tempering). Trasteel Elite concentrates more material in critical areas and promotes self-sharpening, keeping a sharp edge as wear progresses. The result is sustained penetration, lower machine effort and better productivity in any bucket.
Type of Steel Used in Excavator Teeth
The type of steel used in excavator teeth is crucial for durability and performance. At Cohidrex we work with special steel alloys and proprietary heat treatments that offer an optimal combination of hardness and toughness. Thanks to these properties, the teeth resist both abrasion and repeated impacts in severe working conditions, extending bucket life and reducing equipment maintenance costs.
When to Replace the Tooth and Best Practices
Simple maintenance prevents breakage and performance loss. Periodically inspect the condition of the teeth and the excavator tooth adapter, and act when you notice:
- Rounded tip or visible loss of length requiring additional effort.
- Cracks, loose pin or excessive play between tooth and adapter.
- Uneven wear; rotate positions to equalize.
- Mixed references or incompatible systems; always install a complete matching set.
For rental machines or intensive use, set up an inspection plan by operating hours to avoid unexpected downtime and lip damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
In mini excavators and backhoes, replacement speed and cost control are usually priorities, making Top Pin (vertical pin) and Bolt-On systems highly demanded. In wheel loaders, Loader L and LHD profiles allow resistance to be matched to the type of aggregate. If you work with several systems and brands, our team will help you find the equivalents so you can unify stock without sacrificing performance.
Summary and Quick Links
If you need direct access to products or prefer to compare profiles before requesting a quote, here is a quick selection. You will find everything from Caterpillar excavator teeth to options for Komatsu, JCB, Volvo or Doosan, as well as compatible protection and adapters.
If you can’t find your reference, tell us the brand, model and locking system. We will propose an equivalent in stock.
Advisory and Purchase
Do you need help comparing types of excavator teeth or confirming compatibilities? Our technical team supports you from profile selection and excavator tooth adapter choice to bucket protection definition. We work with fast delivery systems and periodic supply options for fleets.
➡ Contact Cohidrex for the sale of excavator teeth Trasteel Elite and Trasteel Commodity, to request a quote or to receive personalised advice.
Become a Distributor
