Cutting element supported on a drum

In a chain excavator including a chain with an outer surface for supporting excavation implements removably mounted in holders positioned at a radial distance from the outer surface of the chain the improvement comprising a stabilizing element that extends rearwardly from directly behind the excavation implement holder and radially to a diameter equal to or greater than the radial position of a portion of the holder wherein said stabilizer element is narrower than said holder whereby said stabilizer element will be protected from wear by said holder.

In a chain excavator including an excavation chain with a plurality of links connected together, each of the links having an inner portion including rollers adapted to contact teeth on a drive sprocket and an outer portion, the excavation chain being trained around the drive sprocket and an end idler, a first base plate having an inner part and an outer part, said first base plate being mounted on an outer portion of a first one of the links and a tooth support being operatively attached to an outer portion of the first base plate for supporting at least one excavation tooth, a second base plate operatively connected to an outer portion of a second one of the links following the first link, the improvement comprising:

• (a) a gusset operatively attached to the outer part of the first base plate substantially orthogonal to the first base plate and extending radially outwardly from the base plate as the chain wraps around the end idler, said gusset residing directly behind the tooth support and operatively attached to the tooth support;
• and
• (b) said gusset extending radially outwardly from the second base plate as the chain wraps around the end idler, whereby forces on the tooth in use of the excavation chain are transmitted through the gusset to the second base plate.