Backhoe Added a ripper to my Woods BH90x: Trees beware

[Coyote machine]

This pic is of just the CLAW without being attached to anything but my workbench.

This one shows both MIE's CLAW AND their hydraulic driven thumb. Together they are an AWESOME combination.

Same combo- different view angle.

CLAW in action after ripping out its first 5" Poplar tree root in 30 degree weather, after breaking through the frost of several inches. Took some time, but I have to get used to using it since it is different than using a bucket.

Above, are recent pics of the newest version of what I have named the CLAW, the latest version of MIE's ripper tooth. Check it out!

 

[Coyote machine]

Well Coyote, we know you're a genius already. I don't have a little dolly as I don't have a concrete floor. I usually am in turf or dirt outside when switching. Still you have a point and maybe I should get a piece of plywood so a roller cart could be used.

I've always thought that a transmission jack would be perfect if they were not so expensive. That would allow up/ down fine movements as well as rolling on a flat surface.

IT, thanks for the confirmation of what I already knew:laughing:

I think if you lay down a piece of plywood, (or OSB for longer weather resistance), and get a small roll around dolly; the ripper fit in it, just laying on its back - you should be able to do the hook-up no sweat. I didn't do anything but place the ripper/dolly under the dipper arm after having removed the bucket and then lowered the dipper arm to where the pins aligned and away one goes to rip and tear. It worked surprisingly well for a first attempt, and it needs no mods to do the task.:thumbsup:
And unless you really want/need a tranny jack- just skip it and use your $ elsewhere.

 

[IslandTractor]

Coyote, one of the photos shows a hydraulic line very close to the ripper/claw blade. I don't understand that. The hydraulics for the thumb should be out of the way on the dipper so what is that hose (that looks in danger of snagging on something)?

 

[pclausen]

View attachment 251708 This pic is of just the CLAW without being attached to anything but my workbench.

That thing is bad ***! I'll be calling Woods and then Bob tomorrow!

 

[Coyote machine]

IT, This pic should better show where the thumb hyd line is when the thumb is fully retracted. You can expand the pic to see the layout. I will say I'm still in the process of adjusting the hyd lines for the thumb and how they attach at the OP station. I will be sending my final mods over to MIE for use as they see fit.

The pics below show different angles of the CLAW in action, in the hole where I dug out the root. Some of the root can be seen in these pics and shows up as a fragmented cross section of the diameter of the root- somewhere on the side of the ripper/CLAW.

 

[Coyote machine]

That thing is bad ***! I'll be calling Woods and then Bob tomorrow!

Go for it! You won't be sorry, its CLAWsome!!:thumbsup:

See other pics I just posted of the MIE thumb / claw combo.

 

[IslandTractor]

View attachment 251721

IT, This pic should better show where the thumb hyd line is when the thumb is fully retracted. You can expand the pic to see the layout. I will say I'm still in the process of adjusting the hyd lines for the thumb and how they attach at the OP station. I will be sending my final mods over to MIE for use as they see fit.

I can now see where the lines are. I don't understand why you have the lines so far down the dipper stick. Why not mount them at the top end of the thumb bracket instead so they will be out of harms way?

The only problem I have had with my ripper was managing to snag one of the hydraulic lines on the joint between main boom and dipper which broke the line and put me out of action for several days. And, as noted, that was a line in a location quite far away from the action. I snagged it on a tree branch while reaching with the ripper. I would think that you will snag the lines in question very often. If it were me I'd move them and then armor the things as best I could as well as clamp them flush to the dipper. ANY loop that protrudes will snag when you least expect it. A shower of hydraulic fluid is not fun.

 

[Coyote machine]

I can now see where the lines are. I don't understand why you have the lines so far down the dipper stick. Its partly the way the hose brackets and QAs are already bracketed or welded into the thumb's mounting hardware, and where the hyd cylinder connections are located. Why not mount them at the top end of the thumb bracket instead so they will be out of harms way? In some cases not enough slack in the hoses. I already had MIE send me one longer line because it was too tight and could easily get pinched /cut.

The only problem I have had with my ripper was managing to snag one of the hydraulic lines on the joint between main boom and dipper which broke the line and put me out of action for several days. And, as noted, that was a line in a location quite far away from the action. I snagged it on a tree branch while reaching with the ripper. I would think that you will snag the lines in question very often. If it were me I'd move them and then armor the things as best I could as well as clamp them flush to the dipper. ANY loop that protrudes will snag when you least expect it. A shower of hydraulic fluid is not fun.

IT, see blue text above in answer to your questions.
Reminds me of what I did when checking mount the lines the first time I had the thumb attached. I proceeded to curl the bucket back and completely pretzled the hydraulic cylinder in a millisecond!
Not a good first use of the thumb- really wish it had a relief valve built in to prevent this type of situation.

 

[pclausen]

I just got off the phone with Woods tech support and they told me that since the BH1050 and its buckets are currently in production, they cannot release the technical drawings. The dimensions are different from the BH90x buckets.

IT, do you recall who you spoke to? The guy I spoke to put me on hold, spoke to his manager, and then came back and told me he couldn't release me the drawings.

I guess I'll have to get out a tape measure and my caliber and hope I can be accurate enough. Before that, I'll give Bob a call to see if by change he already has the specs for the BH1050.

 

[Coyote machine]

I just got off the phone with Woods tech support and they told me that since the BH1050 and its buckets are currently in production, they cannot release the technical drawings. The dimensions are different from the BH90x buckets.

IT, do you recall who you spoke to? The guy I spoke to put me on hold, spoke to his manager, and then came back and told me he couldn't release me the drawings.

I guess I'll have to get out a tape measure and my caliber and hope I can be accurate enough. Before that, I'll give Bob a call to see if by change he already has the specs for the BH1050.

YES, try talking to Bob at MIE about the dimensions; maybe he can get them from Woods for you- may have better results than directly with Woods...