Buckets need to bite. It's as simple as that. 

Worn teeth and missing teeth kill productivity, and after a time, could ruin your bucket. Consider the all-encompassing solution of installing a tooth bar.

The good people at Blue Diamond Attachments have a handy guide to tooth bar installation, and it's easier than you think.

Maximum bite: What to know about excavator bucket teeth

First, a couple of guidelines: The tooth bar needs to be one to two inches smaller than the inside length of your bucket, and you'll need to choose a tooth bar with two half-inch bolts and two half-inch nuts shipped along with it. Don't worry, Blue Diamond's got you covered there.

Instructions

1. Set the bucket on a flat, level surface with a wood board underneath to lift the front factory edge of the bucket up a little.
2. Slide the tooth bar into the bucket. Make sure that the bar is even. Mark the holes on the bucket using a paint marker that is a different color than thebucket. See Figure 1 above.
3. Remove the bar from the bucket.
4. Using a low speed drill equipped with a pilot tipped carbide bit, drill a hole through the previously placed marks on each side of the bucket. Make sure to use the cutting oil to reduce friction when drilling into the bucket.
5. Place the bar back inside the bucket. This might require some force, depending on the length of the tooth bar.
6. Place a bolt through the bucket and tooth bar. Hand-tighten the nut onto the bolt. Repeat for the other side. (NOTE: It's recommended to have the nut facing the inside of the bucket to avoid bending in case of removal.)
7. Using a 3/4-inch socket or wrench, tighten the nuts on each side. See Figure 2 below.

And there you have it. Attack the dirt with confidence.