wedge40
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
- Messages
- 2,197
Bluehog, when are we going to see it in action?
Wedge
Wedge
I just dug out a stump from the driveway ditch at my flip property. I leave a bout two feet of stalk on stumps i know I'm going to be ripping out. This gives me the ability to use the stalk to leverage the stump and roots to see what is still holding the stump in the ground. In this case I was close to a maple I wanted to save on the upside bank above the stump. So I had to not disturb the maple's roots any more than necessary. I find if I can uncover the main roots or the tap root by using the ripper to scrape dirt away from the stump it gives me better ability to position the hoe where it is needed to accomplish the least effort and faster results. Periodically I will use the bucket of grapple to push or pull on the stalk to access what is left to rip. In this case in low range with diff locked I was able to force the stalk over and break the remaining roots by shear force of will and some tractor muscle. I find stumps that I have cut and left for some time will often break free sooner than ones recently cut. This is usually because the stump and roots have begun to die and harden and hard roots are more likely to give way under pressure than live ones, IMPE. New acronym: In My Personal Experience, (IMPE). BTW, getting off the tractor to use a sawzall blade is not allowed! International rules of stump removal prohibit any getting off the tractor or leaving the stump for anything but 1 10 min break per 2 hrs competition time frame.![]()
I was wondering if you have a finished weight of your stump slayer? It looks good, but heavy to move around...
Bluehog, when are we going to see it in action?
Wedge

I just picked up one of those machines at Harbor Freight.... Good price and they let me use a 20% off coupon too. Mine came with an espresso attachment too.Well I completed the bore to size on the horizontal HAAS... made them the same as my bucket which is 1.260" (.010" pin diameter clearance). The closest bores to the spindle had the interrupted cut of the locking bolt clearance holes for the bucket pins. So I circular interpolated those with an endmill to size them. The further bores I completed with a boring head and although it took longer due to rigidity of the tool... got it done and to size. Hind site... should have left more stock in the bores before welding! Then I sand blasted it. Here are those pics. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340973"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340971"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340972"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340967"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340970"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340968"/>
I just picked up one of those machines at Harbor Freight.... Good price and they let me use a 20% off coupon too. Mine came with an espresso attachment too.
Hey Island we are friends from blue hogs work just bustin balls so maybe you check your sensitivity at the door this isnt russia.
Sorry. I had to come to the defense of a fellow TBNer.
But I am shocked that he still lives in his mother's basement.

I understand that there was an exchange of comments that was removed by the moderator. Seem my "so called" friends ( with friends like these... enemies seem more like allies ) decided to have some fun... as they called it :irked:. Thanks for sticking up for me
Once again "consider the source of that statement" NO I DO NOT LIVE IN MY MOTHER'S BASEMENT :hissyfit: OMG... you have no idea what it like to be with these guys for 8 hours a day! I call it "purgatory" and my sentence is minimum of 8 more years... with good behavior!
Here are the two head :jester: (left to right)
John R. (aka J-Rod) Jimmy G. (aka "Dennis the Menace" )
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341122"/>
bluehog said:I understand that there was an exchange of comments that was removed by the moderator. Seem my "so called" friends ( with friends like these... enemies seem more like allies ) decided to have some fun... as they called it :irked:. Thanks for sticking up for me
Once again "consider the source of that statement" NO I DO NOT LIVE IN MY MOTHER'S BASEMENT :hissyfit: OMG... you have no idea what it like to be with these guys for 8 hours a day! I call it "purgatory" and my sentence is minimum of 8 more years... with good behavior!
Here are the two head :jester: (left to right)
John R. (aka J-Rod) Jimmy G. (aka "Dennis the Menace" )
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341122"/>


Back to biz... During the completion of the sandblast I bumped the cutting edge against the cart and noticed how soft the cutting edge was. This will certainly mushroom the edge as it enters the ground and I hit a few rocks. The ripper from MIE has a quench hardened edge... something I am not able to provide. I consulted my friends as to what my options were. It was determined that "hardfacing" would be an excellent choice.
My friend Ron S. (welder) said he had done some "hardfacing" many years ago and sent me looking for materials. Not being a welder I found myself asking questions about something I knew nothing about. I contacted several local welding supply companies and found that the stuff is not only expensive ( up to $38 lb.) but came in 10 lb. packs! We only needed about a 1.5 lbs. I contacted Ramsey Welding Supply, Glendale, AZ., Mark the sales guy contacted the Northern AZ sales rep for Postle Industries and determined that Postalloy 214 would be my best bet, and it came in 1 lb. packs @ $15. Only problem was it was not in stock and would arrive as I was leaving for the first use of the ripper.
I decided to go and order the products from Ramsey so we could rebuild the edges when I returned. Derek assisted me at Ramsey asked a few more questions about my application. I told him I was a bit bummed that we couldn't get the "hardfacing" done prior to first use. He said he had just received a package from Postle Ind. a few minutes ago and opened it up. After reviewing contents he found Postalloy 21 which is similar to 214 but without the carbide mixture, it still would be 58-60Hrc. He donated 2 lbs. to my cause and only asked for feedback.
Below are the pics after application of the "hardface". First ones are after initial application. then after I kissed the high spots with a grinding disc (this stuff is hard), then after final sandblast. Not a pretty as the machining... but it should last a lot longer!
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341134"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341135"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341132"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341133"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341129"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341127"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341128"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341130"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=341131"/>
Looks fine. No reason to grind it though. This ain't no beauty contest. The high spots are protecting the rest.
Wow that is one UGLY, (cool) looking ripper.Looks like a dinosaur tooth or something prehistoric. Just like the guys from your shop!:laughing:
Now for the flame paint job and you should be ready to do the vid or this thing in action. How many hours logged so far from beginning to date?:confused2:
I was impressed with how it turned out... good call guys on dropping the removable tooth! No fancy paint job... basic black with white letters. Got it installed and all looks good.
Haven't heard from the shop clowns yet... but I'm sure I'll get my share of returns on Monday .
As for the hours... I have at least 25 hours after work and loss of several lunch and breaks over the last 2 weeks... so gotta be in the mid 30's for hours. As fore the welder I'd guess that he's got 6+ hours into this. As for design... who knows... sleepless nights have to be at least 10... at least :confused2:
I have to applaud your dedication to detail, and perseverance, :applause:
Your efforts will be rewarded. I used my ripper today and felt like I was getting the hang of it again. I made some real progress by just focusing on doing ripping and moving stumps to the burn pile. Wear safety glasses while using; sometimes when roots break free pieces go flying. I got whacked in the side of my head by a really long root the other day, and have been hit by dirtballs, mud, you name it, from all directions at various times. :confused3:![]()
