Cast excavator bucket

Abstract

A cast iron excavator bucket is provided that includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a center wall interconnecting the first side wall and second side wall to form an inner cavity for receiving excavated materials, wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, and the center wall are integrally cast exclusively from iron.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cast iron excavator bucket comprising:
 a first side wall;   a second side wall; and   a center wall interconnecting the first side wall and the second side wall to form an inner cavity for receiving excavated materials, wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, and the center wall are integrally cast using only a casting material derived exclusively from iron ingot.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket of  claim 1 , wherein the first side wall and the second side wall both taper inwards as they extend towards a bottom portion of the center wall. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of arm mounts comprised entirely of iron and formed integrally with at least one of the center wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, for coupling with a machine. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of arm mounts secured to at least one of the center wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, for coupling with a machine. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of tooth engagement portions formed in the center wall for receiving and securing respective teeth using a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         6 . The bucket of  claim 5 , wherein the first side wall and the second side wall have a thickness of about 3/16 inch to about ⅜ inch. 
     
     
         7 . The bucket of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of tooth shanks integrally formed in a front portion of the center wall, wherein the plurality of tooth shanks are configured to receivably secure respectively teeth. 
     
     
         8 . The bucket of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of teeth integrally cast in the front portion of the center wall. 
     
     
         9 . A method of casting an iron excavator bucket comprising:
 forming a bucket-shaped sand mold including a first mold side wall, a second mold side wall, and a center mold wall interconnecting the first mold side wall and the second mold side wall to form a mold inner cavity;   providing a molten casting material made exclusively from iron ingot;   pouring the molten casting material into the bucket-shaped sand mold;   allowing the molten casting material to cool; and   removing the cooled casting material from the bucket-shaped sand mold.