Apparatus for protecting a base of a bucket of an earth working machine

An apparatus for protecting a base edge of a bucket of an earth working machine, comprising:

• a fixed component capable of being secured to said base edge of said bucket, said fixed component having a first aperture extending therethrough;
• a protection member having a second aperture extending therethrough, wherein (1) said protection member is positioned relative to said fixed component such that said first aperture and said second aperture align to form a passageway having a first end and a second end, said passageway defining a passageway sidewall extending between said first end and said second end, (2) said protection member has a first notch defined therein, (3) said first notch is defined in said passageway sidewall, and (4) said first notch is spaced apart from both said first end and said second end of said passageway sidewall;
• and
• a bearing member having an outer surface extending between an upper end and a lower end thereof, said bearing member having a first tab extending from said outer surface such that a portion of said outer surface is interposed between said first tab and said upper end, wherein said bearing member is positioned within said passageway such that said first tab is positioned within said first notch and said portion of said outer surface is positioned in contact with said passageway sidewall.