Dragline Bucket and Work Machines, Systems, and Assemblies Thereof

The present disclosure relates to a dragline bucket, and work machines, systems, and assemblies thereof.

Machines, such as dragline excavators, typically include a dragline bucket associated therewith. The dragline bucket may be used in mining and earth moving operations. For example, the dragline bucket may be used to capture materials such as rocks/aggregate, or other large finds. The dragline bucket is suspended from a boom of the machine by a rigging assembly, and the dragline bucket is maneuvered by control of the rigging assembly.

Conventionally, a dragline bucket may have lower performance and/or productivity due to excessive body weight. Additionally or alternatively, loading and/or unloading performance may be low due to non-optimized shaping for a given capacity/volume.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,572,870 (“the '870 patent”) describes a dragline bucket, rigging, and system where the dragline bucket can have walls that collectively define a cavity, where the sidewalls each have a large downward taper of at least about 7 degrees in at least its forward area. In an alternative embodiment the sidewalls each have an upward taper in its rearward area, which, according to the '870 patent, alleviate the need for a spreader bar. The '870 patent also describes that the dragline bucket collects earthen material with minimal disruption of the material.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a dragline machine can be provided or implemented. The dragline machine can comprise: a bottom wall; a first sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, extending from the bottom wall, and defining a second upper edge; a first forward-facing drag lug on a first side of the dragline bucket; a second forward-facing drag lung on a second side of the dragline bucket opposite the first side; a lip assembly at a front of the bottom wall; and an arm extending from the first side of the dragline bucket to the second side of the dragline bucket, a distal end of the arm being at a height greater than a height of respective first and second upper edges of the first and second sidewalls, wherein each of the first and second forward-facing drag lugs has an attachment point, wherein a portion of the arm overlaps a portion of the lip assembly in a vertical direction, wherein a forward-most edge of the arm does not overlap the attachment points of the first and second forward-facing drag lugs in the vertical direction, and wherein the dragline bucket satisfies the following equations: W/L=0.91 to 1.30; FH/L=0.47 to 0.63; BH/L=0.52 to 0.70; and BH/FH=1.06 to 1.18, where FH is a vertical distance from a first horizontal plane extending through the bottom wall to a second horizontal plane above the first horizontal plane and that extends at or under a base portion of the arm, W is a width of a mouth of the dragline bucket, BH is a dimension in the vertical direction from the first horizontal plane to a third horizontal plane extending through or at an uppermost portion of a body of the dragline bucket, and L is a length from a first vertical plane extending through a lower capacity point of the dragline bucket to a second vertical plane extending through a rear-most portion of the body of the dragline bucket.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a dragline bucket can be provided or implemented. The dragline bucket can comprise: a bottom wall; a first sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, extending from the bottom wall, and defining a second upper edge; a first forward-facing drag lug on a first side of the dragline bucket; a second forward-facing drag lung on a second side of the dragline bucket opposite the first side; a lip assembly at a front of the bottom wall; and an arm extending from the first side of the dragline bucket to the second side of the dragline bucket, a distal end of the arm being at a height greater than a height of respective first and second upper edges of the first and second sidewalls, wherein each of the first and second forward-facing drag lugs has an attachment point, wherein a portion of the arm overlaps a portion of the lip assembly in a vertical direction, wherein the forward-most edge of the arm does not overlap the attachment points of the first and second forward-facing drag lugs in the vertical direction, and wherein the dragline bucket satisfies the following equations: W/L=0.91 to 1.30; FH/L=0.47 to 0.63; BH/L=0.52 to 0.70; and BH/FH=1.06 to 1.18, where FH is a vertical distance from a first horizontal plane extending through the bottom wall to a second horizontal plane above the first horizontal plane and that extends at or under a base portion of the arm, W is a width of a mouth of the dragline bucket, BH is a dimension in the vertical direction from the first horizontal plane to a third horizontal plane extending through or at an uppermost portion of a body of the dragline bucket, and L is a length from a first vertical plane extending through a lower capacity point of the dragline bucket to a second vertical plane extending through a rear-most portion of the body of the dragline bucket.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method can be implemented. The method can comprise: providing a dragline bucket, the dragline bucket including: a bottom wall; a first sidewall extending from the bottom wall and defining a first upper edge; a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, extending from the bottom wall, and defining a second upper edge; a first forward-facing drag lug on a first side of the dragline bucket; a second forward-facing drag lung on a second side of the dragline bucket opposite the first side; a lip assembly at a front of the bottom wall; and an arm extending from the first side of the dragline bucket to the second side of the dragline bucket, a distal end of the arm being at a height greater than a height of respective first and second upper edges of the first and second sidewalls, wherein a portion of the arm overlaps a portion of the lip assembly in a vertical direction, and wherein the dragline bucket satisfies the following equations: W/L=0.91 to 1.30; FH/L=0.47 to 0.63; BH/L=0.52 to 0.70; and BH/FH=1.06 to 1.18, where FH is a vertical distance from a first horizontal plane extending through the bottom wall to a second horizontal plane above the first horizontal plane and that extends at or under a base portion of the arm, W is a width of a mouth of the dragline bucket, BH is a dimension in the vertical direction from the first horizontal plane to a third horizontal plane extending through or at an uppermost portion of a body of the dragline bucket, and L is a length from a first vertical plane extending through a lower capacity point of the dragline bucket to a second vertical plane extending through a rear-most portion of the body of the dragline bucket

As noted above, the present disclosure relates to a dragline bucket, and work machines, systems, and assemblies thereof. The dragline bucket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be regarded or referred to as a quick-fill dragline bucket or a prime fill dragline bucket.

illustrates an exemplary machine. The machineis embodied as a dragline excavator herein. Alternatively, the machinemay include another type of earthmoving machine that employs a dragline bucketthat will be explained later in this section. The machinemay perform one or more operations associated with an industry such as mining, construction, forestry, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. The machinemay be embodied as a manual, autonomous, or semi-autonomous machine, without any limitations. Thus, machines according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, including the machine, may be regarded as work or working machines.

The machinecan include a house, which may be regarded as a cabin or more generally an operator area. The machinecan further include a power source supported by the houseor other component, such as a chassis or frame. The power source may supply power to various components of the machinefor operation, movement, and the like. In one example, the power source may include an engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other type of combustion engine. In other examples, the power source may additionally or alternatively include an electric drive assembly having one or more electric motors.

The machinecan include a boom. The boomcan be controlled by a suspension systemconnected to a mastand a gantry frame. The machinecan further include a rigging assemblycoupled to one or more hoist ropes. The machinecan also include the dragline bucketcoupled to the rigging assembly. Optionally, the dragline bucketmay be regarded as separate from the machine, though operably coupleable to the machine, particularly operably coupleable to the rigging assemblythereof, such as shown in. The rigging assemblycan include a drag socketand one or more drag ropes. The hoist rope(s)can pass over a boom point sheaveof the boomand suspend the dragline buckettherefrom. The dragline bucketcan be coupled to the drag rope(s)by the drag socket. An amount of material that can be carried by the dragline bucketis typically governed by a volume of the dragline bucket. Further, the volume of the dragline bucketmay vary based on a shape and/or size of the dragline bucket, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., according to the cubic volume). Exemplary dragline bucket volumes include from 3 mto 125 m.

Turning to, these figures show the dragline bucketaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The dragline bucketofmay be regarded as a quick-fill dragline bucket. Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to the specific dragline bucketshown in. The dragline bucketitself may be regarded as a dragline bucket assembly. And the dragline bucket, in addition to being regarded as a quick-fill dragline bucket, may be regarded as a clipped bucket (i.e., a clipped dragline bucket).

The dragline bucket, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, can include a body having a base, which may be regarded as a floor or bottom wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewallopposite the first sidewall, and a rear or end wall. The first sidewallcan define a first upper edgeopposite the base, and the second sidewallcan define a second upper edgeopposite the base, which can be opposite the first upper edge. The first upper edgeand the second upper edgeeach can be regarded as an upper rail. Further, the base, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the rear or end wallcan be arranged to define an interior volume of the dragline bucket, such as shown in. The interior volume may be regarded as a working volume. The working volume of the dragline bucketmay be from 3 mto 125 m, as an example range. The interior volume of the dragline bucketmay additional or alternatively be referred to or regarded as bucket capacity (e.g., from CIMA capacity calculation). According to one or more embodiments, a horizontal plane Pcan extend through the base, such as shown in. The horizontal plane Pmay be regarded as a first horizontal plane. At least a portion of the basecan be parallel to the horizontal plane P, such as shown in. According to one or more embodiments, the first sidewall, the first upper edge, the second sidewall, and the second upper edgemay be regarded as a first sidewall portion, a first upper edge portion, a second sidewall portion, and a second upper edge portion, respectively.

Optionally, each of the first sidewalland the second sidewallcan comprise or consist of a plate or plates having a single thickness. Such single-thickness plate(s) per sidewall may be regarded as window plates. In this regard, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first sidewalland the second sidewallcan be formed of a single plate that extends from the baseto the respective first and second upper edges,, and such single plate can have a single or uniform thickness. A single thickness sidewall may be regarded as a single plate with no lap plates or interruption in plate “homogeneousness.” Area and thickness of the plate or plates having single thickness, i.e., single-thickness sidewall, can vary based on capacity and/or application.

The dragline bucketcan further include or define a first forward-facing projectionand a second forward-facing projectionopposite the first forward-facing projectionin a width direction of the dragline bucket. Optionally, the first forward-facing projectionand the second forward-facing projectioncan be part of the first sidewalland the second sidewall, respectively. Each of the first and second forward-facing projections,may be regarded as a drag lug. The first and second forward-facing projections,may each provide an attachment point, which may be, according to one example, a clevis pin-compatible attachment point. Further, such attachment pointmay be regarded as a hitch point of the cheek plate. The attachment pointof each of the first and second forward-facing projections,may be coupled directly or indirectly to respective drag ropes or draft rope portions (e.g., indirectly through a chain or chains connected directly to the attachment pointsat one end and the drag rope(s) at the other end).

A lip assemblycan be provided at the front edge of the baseopposite the rear wall. Optionally, the lip assemblymay be part of the base. The lip assemblycan include a plurality of edge protectorsand/or a plurality of ground engaging tools. A vertical plane P, which can be regarded as a first vertical plane, can extend through the horizontal plane Pat an edge of the cutting lip of the lip assembly. Such edge of the cutting lip may also be referred to or regarded as a shroud base leading edge point. The vertical plane Pcan be regarded as a front capacity line. Further, where the vertical plane Pcrosses the horizontal plane Pcan be regarded as a lower capacity point LCP. The lower capacity point LCP can be vertically above the edge of the cutting lip/shroud base leading edge point. The LCP may be regarded as a front lower capacity point LCP.

A horizontal plane P, which may be referred to as a second horizontal plane, can extend through at least a portion of the first upper edge portionor the second upper edge portionin a side elevational view, such as shown in. Where the vertical plane Pcrosses the horizontal plane Pcan be regarded as an upper capacity point UCP. A plane corresponding to at least a portion of the first upper edge portionand the second upper edge portionin the side elevational view, for instance, extending from the UCP, can be +/− eight (8) degrees relative to the horizontal plane P. The UCP may be regarded as a front upper capacity point UCP.

According to one or more embodiments, the lip assemblyand the first and second sidewalls,may define a mouth of the dragline bucket. Optionally, according to one or more embodiments, the first and second forward-facing projections,may not define the mouth of the dragline bucket. The first and second forward-facing projections,may be regarded as cheek portions or plates. Optionally, as noted above, the first and second forward-facing projections,may be part of the first sidewalland the second sidewall, respectively. As such, front or leading portions of the first sidewalland the second sidewallmay be regarded as cheek portions or plates.

The dragline bucketmay also include an arm. According to one or more embodiments, the arm, the lip assembly, and the front edges of the first and second sidewalls,(including or excluding the first and second forward-facing projections,) may define a front ring assembly. The front ring assembly, according to one or more embodiments, may comprise or consist of the arm, the lip assembly, and at least the front edges of the first and second sidewalls,. The front ring assembly of the dragline bucketmay define a front or loading area of the dragline bucket. The armmay be in the form of an arch, such as shown in the front elevational view of. Accordingly, the armmay be regarded or characterized as a ring-shaped arch. Further, based on positioning of arm, the dragline bucketcan be regarded or characterized as a quick-fill dragline bucket.

At least a portion of the arm, such as a distal end portion away from the first and second sidewalls,, can be forward of the lip assembly(in the horizontal direction), such as shown in. However, according to one or more embodiments, the distal end portion of the armmay not extend past (in the horizontal direction) the attachment pointsof the first and second forward-facing projections,, such as shown in.

The arm, which may be linear or extend straight from the first and second sidewalls,to the distal end thereof in a side elevational view, for instance, may also be tilted forward at an angle relative to a vertical plane extending from the leading edge at the distal end of the arm. Thus, the arch ring, which can be defined at least in part or fully by the arm, can be tilted forward at the angle with respect to the lip assembly. The angle can be acute, for instance, in a range from 17.5 degrees to 22.5 degrees. According to one or more embodiments, the angle can be 20 degrees. Having the armtilted forward at the angle can increase the stability of the dragline bucket.

The armcan have a first endfixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the first sidewalland a second endfixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to the second sidewall. The first and second ends,can be respectively fixedly coupled to an outside or outer portion of the first and second sidewalls,. Further, such fixed couplings of the first and second ends,to the first and second sidewalls,can be at the first and second upper edges,, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Such fixed couplings may be regarded as side weldings.

One or more dump anchors, each of which can be a fabrication or a casting, can be provided and fixedly coupled (e.g., welded) to an upper surfaceof the arm.andshow two dump anchors, though only one dump anchormay be implemented. According to one or more embodiments, each dump anchormay be regarded as part of the dragline bucket. The dump anchoror dump anchors(e.g., a pair of dump anchors) may be centered along the length of the arm, such as shown in. Optionally, the dump anchorsmay be separated from each other along the length of the arm, such as shown in.

The base of the dump anchorcan be fixedly coupled to the upper surfaceof arm. According to one or more embodiments, the base of the dump anchormay be a relatively thick base plate, i.e., thicker than portions of the dump anchorabove the base.

According to one or more embodiments, a concave or cutout portioncan be between the armand each of the first and second forward-facing projections,, such as shown in. Another concave or cutout portionmay be between each of the first and second forward-facing projections,and the lip assembly, such as shown in.

Referring still to, and also again to, the dragline bucketaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure can have the dimensions L, FH, BH, and W.

The dimension FH may be defined as a vertical distance from the first horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane extending through the base, to the second horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane above the first horizontal plane and that extends at or under a base portion of the arm, such as shown in.

The dimension W can be regarded as a width of the lip assemblyand/or the mouth of the dragline bucket, such as shown in. Additionally or alternatively, the dimension W can be regarded as a width or distance between the first and second forward-facing projections at their front edges and/or at their rear interfaces with the insides of the first and second sidewalls,at the plane Pextending through the base.

The dimension BH can be regarded as a dimension in the vertical direction from the horizontal plane P, which, as noted above, can extend along the floorof the dragline bucket, to a horizontal plane Pextending through or at an uppermost portion of the body of the dragline bucket. In this context, the uppermost portion of the body of the dragline bucketmay be regarded or defined as the upper surfaces or edges of the first, second, and rear/end sidewalls/walls,,, which can include the first and second upper edges,as well as the upper edge of the rear/end wall. According to one or more embodiments, the uppermost portion of the body can be at the rear/end wall, such as shown in.

The dimension L can be regarded as a length from the vertical plane Pto a vertical plane P, which may be regarded as a second vertical plane, extending through a rear-most portionof the body of the dragline bucket. The rear-most portioncan be at a point or portion along the height of the rear/end wall(in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket). According to one or more embodiments, not all of the rear/end wallcan be the rear-most portion. For instance, as shown in, the rear/end wallcan have one or more angled walls angled relative to vertical and that extend from the baseand the upper rail to form the rear-most portion, in this example, in the form of a point, in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket.

According to one or more embodiments, one or more, two or more, or three or more of the following equations can be satisfied: W/L can equal 1.18 to 1.30 (e.g., 1.24); FH/L can equal 0.57 to 0.63 (e.g., 0.60); BH/L can equal 0.64 to 0.70 (e.g., 0.67); and BH/FH can equal 1.06 to 1.18 (e.g., 1.12). For instance, according to one or more embodiments, the dimension FH can be 2875 mm, the dimension L can be 4800 mm, the dimension BH can be 3229 mm, and/or the dimension W can be 5930 mm.

The weight distribution of the dragline bucketfrom teeth to heel, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, can have a balance of from 55% to 58% (e.g., 56%) on the teeth and 42% to 45% (e.g., 44%) on the heel. Incidentally, as shown in, an upper rear capacity point URCP can be at an intersection of the plane Pand the plane P, and a lower rear capacity point LRCP can be at an intersection of the plane Pand the plane P.

Turning to, these figures show a dragline bucketaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The dragline bucketofmay be regarded as a prime fill dragline bucket. Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to the specific dragline bucketshown in. The dragline bucketitself may be regarded as a dragline bucket assembly. And the dragline bucket, in addition to being regarded as a prime fille dragline bucket, may be regarded as a clipped bucket (i.e., a clipped dragline bucket). Further, the dragline bucketcan have the same nomenclature as the dragline bucketdiscussed above. As such, for brevity, such features will not be described again in detail. Notably, the dragline bucket, like the dragline bucket, can have the dimensions L, FH, BH, and W, as can dragline buckets according to one or more other embodiments of the present disclosure.

The dimension FH may be defined as a vertical distance from the first horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane extending through the base, to the second horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane above the first horizontal plane and that extends at or under a base portion of the arm, such as shown in.

The dimension W can be regarded as a width of the lip assemblyand/or the mouth of the dragline bucket, such as shown in. Additionally or alternatively, the dimension W can be regarded as a width or distance between the first and second forward-facing projections at their front edges and/or at their rear interfaces with the insides of the first and second sidewalls,at the plane Pextending through the base.

The dimension BH can be regarded as a dimension in the vertical direction from the horizontal plane P, which can extend along the floorof the dragline bucket, to a horizontal plane Pextending through or at an uppermost portion of the body of the dragline bucket. In this context, the uppermost portion of the body of the dragline bucketmay be regarded or defined as the upper surfaces or edges of the first, second, and rear/end sidewalls/walls,,, which can include the first and second upper edges,as well as the upper edge of the rear/end wall. According to one or more embodiments, the uppermost portion of the body can be at the rear/end wall, such as shown in.

The dimension L can be regarded as a length from the vertical plane Pto a vertical plane P, which may be regarded as a second vertical plane, extending through a rear-most portionof the body of the dragline bucket. The rear-most portioncan be at a point or portion along the height of the rear/end wall(in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket). According to one or more embodiments, not all of the rear/end wallcan be the rear-most portion. For instance, as shown in, the rear/end wallcan have one or more angled walls angled relative to vertical and that extend from the baseand the upper rail to form the rear-most portion, in this example, in the form of a point, in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket.

According to one or more embodiments, one or more, two or more, or three or more of the following equations can be satisfied: W/L can equal 0.91 to 1.01 (e.g., 0/96); FH/L can equal 0.47 to 0.51 (e.g., 0.49); BH/L can equal 0.52 to 0.58 (e.g., 0.55); and BH/FH can equal 1.06 to 1.18 (e.g., 1.12). For instance, according to one or more embodiments, the dimension FH can be 2350 mm, the dimension L can be 4800 mm, the dimension BH can be 2640 mm, and/or the dimension W can be 4600 mm.

The weight distribution of the dragline bucketfrom teeth to heel, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, can have a balance of from 55% to 58% (e.g., 56%) on the teeth and 42% to 45% (e.g., 44%) on the heel. Incidentally, as shown in, an upper rear capacity point URCP can be at an intersection of the plane Pand the plane P, and a lower rear capacity point LRCP can be at an intersection of the plane Pand the plane P.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to dragline buckets, and work machines, systems, and assemblies thereof. The dragline bucket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be regarded or referred to as a quick-fill dragline bucket or a prime fill dragline bucket. A quick-fill dragline bucket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be regarded as providing, relative to a comparative dragline bucket, less weight (e.g., −8%), greater productivity (e.g., +20% flat plane and +8% inclined plane), less specific energy (e.g., −14% flat plane and −9% inclined plane), less cycle time (e.g., −17% flat plane and −8% inclined plane), less total energy (e.g., −15% flat-plane, −9% inclined plane), and/or greater force (e.g., +2% flat and inclined planes). A prime fill dragline bucket according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be regarded as providing, relative to a comparative dragline bucket, less weight (e.g., −8%), greater productivity (e.g., +15% flat plane and +7% inclined plane), less specific energy (e.g., −10% flat plane and −11% inclined plane), less cycle time (e.g., −13% flat plane and −6% inclined plane), less total energy (e.g., −10% flat-plane, −11% inclined plane), and/or greater force (e.g., +6% flat plane and +4% inclined plane).

During positioning of a conventional bucket at the start of digging (pointing vertically downwards), an arm thereof may take direct hits from the ground, especially in underwater digging. This can result in notches and/or material wear in the arm, which can lead to cracks in the weldment and parent material.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dragline bucket can be implemented or provided, such as the dragline bucketor the dragline bucket.

The dragline bucket/can have opposing sidewalls, such as the first sidewalland the second sidewall. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first sidewalland the second sidewallcan comprise or consist of a plate or plates having a single thickness. Such single-thickness plate(s) per sidewall may be regarded as window plates. In this regard, the first sidewalland the second sidewallcan be formed of a single plate that extends from the baseto the respective first and second upper edges,, and such single plate can have a single or uniform thickness. Implementing a single window plate per side of the dragline bucket/can reduce the weight of the dragline bucket/, the number of parts for the dragline bucket/, manufacturing and process costs, assembly setup time costs, and/or welding costs.

The dragline bucket/can have an arm, such as the arm, which may be linear or extend straight from the first and second sidewalls,to the distal end thereof in a side elevational view, for instance. The armmay be tilted at an angle relative to vertical, again, in the side elevational view, such as shown inand. Thus, the arch ring, which can be defined at least in part or fully by the arm, can be tilted at the angle with respect to the lip assembly. The angle can be acute, for instance, in a range from 17.5 degrees to 22.5 degrees. According to one or more embodiments, the angle can be 20 degrees. Having the armtilted at the angle can cause the dragline bucket/to be more evenly balanced, which can increase the stability of the dragline bucket/.

At least a portion of the arm, such as a distal end portion away from the first and second sidewalls,, can be forward of the lip assembly, such as shown inand. However, according to one or more embodiments, the distal end portion of the armmay not extend past the attachment pointsof the first and second forward-facing projections,, such as shown inand.

The dragline bucketcan have, according to one or more embodiments, the dimensions L, FH, BH, and W.

The dimension FH may be defined as a vertical distance from the first horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane extending through the base, to the second horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane above the first horizontal plane and that extends at or under a base portion of the arm, such as shown in. The dimension W can be regarded as a width of the lip assemblyand/or the mouth of the dragline bucket, such as shown in. Additionally or alternatively, the dimension W can be regarded as a width or distance between the first and second forward-facing projections at their front edges and/or at their rear interfaces with the insides of the first and second sidewalls,at the plane Pextending through the base. The dimension BH can be regarded as a dimension in the vertical direction from the horizontal plane P, which, as noted above, can extend along the floorof the dragline bucket, to a horizontal plane Pextending through or at an uppermost portion of the body of the dragline bucket. In this context, the uppermost portion of the body of the dragline bucketmay be regarded or defined as the upper surfaces or edges of the first, second, and rear/end sidewalls/walls,,, which can include the first and second upper edges,as well as the upper edge of the rear/end wall. According to one or more embodiments, the uppermost portion of the body can be at the rear/end wall, such as shown in. The dimension L can be regarded as a length from the vertical plane Pto a vertical plane P, which may be regarded as a second vertical plane, extending through a rear-most portionof the body of the dragline bucket. The rear-most portioncan be at a point or portion along the height of the rear/end wall(in a side elevational view of the dragline bucket). According to one or more embodiments, not all of the rear/end wallcan be the rear-most portion. For instance, as shown in, the rear/end wallcan have one or more angled walls angled relative to vertical and that extend from the baseand the upper rail to form the rear-most portion, in this example, in the form of a point, in the side elevational view of the dragline bucket.

According to one or more embodiments, one or more, two or more, or three or more of the following equations can be satisfied: W/L can equal 1.18 to 1.30 (e.g., 1.24); FH/L can equal 0.57 to 0.63 (e.g., 0.60); BH/L can equal 0.64 to 0.70 (e.g., 0.67); and BH/FH can equal 1.06 to 1.18 (e.g., 1.12).

The dragline bucketcan have, according to one or more embodiments, the dimensions L, FH, BH, and W.

The dimension FH may be defined as a vertical distance from the first horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane extending through the base, to the second horizontal plane P, for instance, a horizontal plane above the first horizontal plane and that extends at or under a base portion of the arm, such as shown in.