John Deere Bucket Teeth Buying Guide
Find the right teeth for your John Deere excavator, backhoe, or loader bucket. Tooth style, tooth system and size, and adapter fit decide how well the bucket digs and how long the teeth last. Match the part number on your old tooth before you order.
Bucket Teeth Overview
Browse John Deere teeth, adapters, and locks currently available in our store.
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BROWSE ALL JOHN DEERE PARTSComparing Tooth Types for Excavator, Backhoe, and Loader Bucket Teeth
| Tooth Type | Tooth Shape | Fits On | Use It To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (including Hensley® Top Mount) | Pointed tip on a full-size body | Excavators and backhoes | Dig dirt, gravel, and mixed soil |
| Tiger | One sharp point | Excavators and backhoes | Cut into hard-packed soil, clay, and frozen ground |
| Twin Tiger | Two sharp points | Excavators | Break up rock and dig clean trench corners |
| Fanggs™ | Thick, heavy-duty tip | Larger excavators | Dig in rocky or sandy ground |
| Super Long Front | Extra-long tip | Excavators | Dig sand, gravel, and rough ground |
| Chisel | Flat, wide edge | Excavators and loaders | Clean up loose soil and leave a smooth floor |
| Loader | Short, wide tip | Skid steer loaders | Scoop and load loose material |
What to Look For When Buying Bucket Teeth
| Factor | What To Know |
|---|---|
| Machine and Bucket | Excavator, backhoe, and loader buckets often use different tooth styles. |
| Tooth System and Size | Teeth must match the adapter series, such as TK225 through TK550. |
| Adapter Fit | The tooth pocket must fit the adapter nose so it sits tight. |
| Locks and Pins | Use the lock made for the tooth series so the tooth stays on. |
| Tooth Style | Pick tiger for penetration, twin tiger for rock, chisel for cleanup, or standard for general digging. |
| Ground Conditions | Rock and sand wear teeth faster than clay or topsoil. |
| Correct Part Number | Match the number on your old tooth or in your parts catalog. |
| Genuine Parts | Genuine John Deere teeth are built to fit John Deere adapters and buckets. |
How Bucket Teeth Work
Each part holds the tooth in place and carries the load as the bucket digs.
- Bucket Lip
- Adapter
- Tooth
- Lock or Pin
- Ground Penetration
- Material in the Bucket
Safety & Maintenance Tips
- Lower the bucket to the ground and shut off the machine before changing teeth.
- Never work under a raised bucket.
- Wear safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toe boots when driving pins or locks.
- Use the right removal tool for the lock system instead of hammering the tooth.
- Replace teeth before wear reaches the adapter nose.
- Fit a new lock or pin with every new tooth.
- Check teeth and locks at the start of each shift.
Why Buy Bucket Teeth from Doggett?
We offer genuine John Deere teeth, adapters, and locks backed by expert parts support and fast delivery. Our team helps you match the tooth style, size, and adapter to your bucket so you can get back to digging.
- Genuine John Deere Parts
- Expert Parts Support
- Large Parts Inventory
- Fast Shipping & Availability
- Multiple Locations Across Texas & Louisiana
- Dealer-Backed Service
Not sure which tooth fits your adapter?
Our parts team can match the tooth system, size, and lock from your machine model or the part number on your old tooth.
Need it today? Bring a worn tooth in and we'll match it:
FIND A DEALERFrequently Asked Questions
What are the types of bucket teeth?
The main types are standard teeth for general digging, tiger teeth with a single sharp point for hard-packed ground, twin tiger teeth with two points for rock, chisel teeth with a flat edge for cleanup, and loader teeth for skid steer loader buckets. There are also heavy-duty and extra-long teeth, such as Fanggs™ and super long front teeth, for longer wear life. Doggett stocks each type, plus the adapters and locks that hold them.
Are backhoe bucket teeth the same as excavator bucket teeth?
Many tooth styles are shared, because both machines dig with a hoe bucket. The size and tooth system follow the bucket and adapter, not the machine name, so a small backhoe bucket usually takes a smaller tooth series than a large excavator bucket. Match by the adapter series or the part number on your old tooth.
When should I use tiger tooth bucket teeth?
Use them when penetration matters most, such as hard-packed soil, clay, and frozen ground. The sharp point cuts in with less force, but it has less wear material than a standard tooth, so it wears faster in abrasive rock. For rock, a twin tiger or heavy-duty tooth usually lasts longer.
What does a bucket tooth adapter do?
The adapter is welded or bolted to the bucket lip, and the tooth slides onto its nose and is held with a lock or pin. Changing teeth on time protects the adapter, but once the adapter nose is worn, new teeth sit loose and fall off more often. Replace the adapter at that point and match it to your tooth series.
When should bucket teeth be replaced?
Replace teeth when the point is rounded, cracked, or worn short, and always before wear reaches the adapter nose. Worn teeth make the machine push harder, which slows cycles and burns more fuel. Check them at the start of each shift on rocky or sandy jobs.
How do I find the right size bucket tooth?
Start with the part number on your old tooth, then confirm the tooth system and size, such as TK225 or TK450, and the adapter it mounts on. Your machine model and bucket width help narrow it down. A Doggett parts specialist can confirm the fit before you order.