Backhoe Ripper tooth design - need your advice

[Willie B]

On a property I had been involved with about 30 years was a huge stump 4' in diameter. I thought I remembered the tree being cut thirty years earlier. I think I was wrong. With John Deere 410 backhoe, I dug out one root at a time, by the time it was loose the stump proved too heavy to lift. I guess 5000 Lbs. Ultimately had to dig big enough to bury it. After that the stumps you are dealing with seem easy.

 

[IslandTractor]

On a property I had been involved with about 30 years was a huge stump 4' in diameter. I thought I remembered the tree being cut thirty years earlier. I think I was wrong. With John Deere 410 backhoe, I dug out one root at a time, by the time it was loose the stump proved too heavy to lift. I guess 5000 Lbs. Ultimately had to dig big enough to bury it. After that the stumps you are dealing with seem easy.

I've had similar experiences. Actually, after being forced to bury one big stump, I realized that burial is a perfectly legitimate way to get rid of the things when burning or hauling was less desirable. The other thing I learned was that you don't need to dig a very big hole if you can just flip the stump over in place. The bottom of the stump is typically just medium or small roots that are easily either scraped off with the bucket or simply mown down with a bush hog after flipping. Then pile s little dirt on top and run over it a few times with the tractor. Probably wouldn't do that in a livestock pasture but it works fine otherwise.

 

[Willie B]

Yes I guess over time the wood will rot away leaving a depression. No big deal, keep a pile of topsoil,and in a metal container, grass seed.Mice love grass seed!

On another note have any of you noticed what a perfect lever a tree trunk is? I've routinely removed trees as big as two feet by climbing to the top of an extension ladder, where I attach a chain. I have a 1956 Power Wagon with two winches, Similar results can be accomplished with a tractor or pickup or what have you. In extreme tough ones some roots can be dug out before beginning to pull. Usually the stump comes out.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yes I guess over time the wood will rot away leaving a depression. No big deal, keep a pile of topsoil,and in a metal container, grass seed.Mice love grass seed!

On another note have any of you noticed what a perfect lever a tree trunk is? I've routinely removed trees as big as two feet by climbing to the top of an extension ladder, where I attach a chain. I have a 1956 Power Wagon with two winches, Similar results can be accomplished with a tractor or pickup or what have you. In extreme tough ones some roots can be dug out before beginning to pull. Usually the stump comes out.

Yep. Leverage is a beautiful thing. I routinely cut the lateral roots then push over the tree by raising my FEL to about ten feet and pushing. Safer than pulling in case you miscalculate the height of the tree.

 

[Willie B]

Did that once, took down a cottonwood ornamental, it had worn out its welcome. I improvised a sextant with a framing square, estimated the height at 100'. More than 115 feet meant taking down a fence and getting permission from neighbors. Close enough, securing the cable with a 40 foot ladder, here we go. The tree fell. My heart beat like a printing press. To get out of the cab I had to climb through small branches, big tree, 29 growth rings. I got almost three 128 cu ft cords from one tree. They grow fast! Great adventure I will take care to never have again. Use more chain than you need, much stronger than you need.

 

[crazyal]

Yep. Leverage is a beautiful thing. I routinely cut the lateral roots then push over the tree by raising my FEL to about ten feet and pushing. Safer than pulling in case you miscalculate the height of the tree.

Just be careful. I do that with my dozer and have had plenty of large limbs fall on top of the dozer. It has lots of protection for falling limbs so they just bounce off. Never the less I still am very careful when it comes to pushing a tree over.

 

[TomSeller]

Just be careful. I do that with my dozer and have had plenty of large limbs fall on top of the dozer. It has lots of protection for falling limbs so they just bounce off. Never the less I still am very careful when it comes to pushing a tree over.

This reminds me of just two weeks ago when I was standing under a 100' tree talking to a neighbor about clearing under tall trees and what would happen to a person if a branch fell and hit a person on the head (non cab). Last week I went by that tree and there was a 8" limb right between our foot prints from the week prior. I told the neighbor what happened and asked if he wanted to come back over and speculate again. He declined . LOL.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just be careful. I do that with my dozer and have had plenty of large limbs fall on top of the dozer. It has lots of protection for falling limbs so they just bounce off. Never the less I still am very careful when it comes to pushing a tree over.

Agree. Caution is critical. I don't do this with dead trees and have at least the tops and plastic sunshade as protection from smaller stuff. Most of the trees I take out are less than 30-40 ft high and I haven't had an issue with widow makers (yet!).

 

[Sodo]

Very inspiring. I read IslandTractor's thread too, and the recent IOinterrupt Giant Metal Claw. A ripper is in my near future. (except have to use a saw and Oxy/Propane torch,,,,)

I have soft ground, and the tooth is for a KX41 mini-excavator. The roots are still gonna be tough, but I have a big sheet of 3/8" so I think I'll try it and brace as necessary.

Thanks for your time inputting all the discussion and pics.

 

[IslandTractor]

Sodo, I think you'll do fine with saw/oxyfuel and a grinder. The only tricky part is getting the mount fabricated as that part is pretty fussy if the bushings are going to be lined up properly. Maybe make the key welds/tacks with the parts actually mounted with the pins. Maybe find a used bucket that fits your excavator and cannibalize it. (Or get a quick attach for your excavator). It should be pretty easy to add a stiff plate under the mount and then build up the ripper and supports. Nothing critical except the mount.

Good luck and remember...pictures!