Importance

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Abstract

An earthworking tooth point and adapter assembly is provided with a visual wear indicating system which permits tooth point use to be maximized without subjecting the adapter nose within the tooth point pocket to earth abrasion. The wear indicating system includes a pair of generally U-shaped ribs formed on a front end portion of the adapter nose and wrapping around its front end and top and bottom side surfaces. With the adapter nose operatively positioned within the tooth point pocket the ribs are received in complementarily configured, generally U-shaped wear indicating grooves formed in the interior surface of the pocket at its front. As the tooth point is used, its front end is worn away until small holes are created therein which open into front portions of the pocket grooves, thereby exposing the previously concealed adapter nose ribs to view. When the operator sees these small holes, and the rib portions which underlie them, he removes and replaces the tooth point before further tooth wear subjects the adapter nose proper to earth abrasion. In this manner, maximum tooth point life is achieved without causing premature wear and replacement of the adapter. In an alternate embodiment of the assembly, stabilizing ribs on a front end of the adapter nose are received in rear portions of similar wear indicating grooves and carry the transverse tooth load, under extreme operating conditions, to inhibit rapid wearing away of the front end of the adapter nose.

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First Claim