Rip and Dig FEL Accessory - Review

[GPintheMitten]

I bought the Rip and Dig from the TBN Store for $350 including shipping. Rip and Dig

Previously I had purchased the Ratchet Rake for the loader from TSC. I like both tools.

My first use of the Rip and Dig was to dig 3 large holes for planting trees in the back yard. The holes are about 48" wide by 22" deep. The tree farm said they would plant the 3 trees for about $450 including delivery. So the Digger has already paid for itself.

It took one hole to get used to it and use it to its best advantage. On the first hole, I used a shovel to get the last of the loosened spoils out. I also left spoils in several small piles around the hole.

On the 2nd and 3rd hole, I managed the spoils better, making one pile for each and was able to dig them without getting out the hand shovel.

I timed myself on the 2nd hole. Took about 20 minutes.

 

[GPintheMitten]

More pics:'

Notice the "Ripper" attached to the Digger as shipped. I haven't changed it yet. You can unbolt it and position it wherever it best suits your needs.







Click on the following for Video:

 

[GPintheMitten]

The same day, as digging the holes for the trees, I used the Rip and Dig to make a trench from my barn to a corner of the pasture fence to bury an electric line for water heater and fencer so we can quit using extensions cords. I got the trench opened up to 18 - 20" with the Rip and Dig, then took it off the FEL and used the FEL to clean out the trench. Then I placed the 3/4" conduit, vacuumed a string through it and then pull 3 12 gauge THNN lines through the conduit. This took about 3 hours.

 

[GPintheMitten]

The Rip and Dig is a winner in my book. Beats shovelling by hand by a long shot. Also beats paying somebody else to dig the holes.!

Not as good as a backhoe or mini-excavator, but I didn't have to pay to rent one and got additional use out of my tractor.

Also, I have it available for the next time, whenever that will be.

Before I bought the Rip and Dig, my SIL buried a 4' post hole auger in dry clay. I had to dig it out with just the FEL. It took a long time, was hard on the loader and me and required a much bigger hole than it would have with the R&D.

 

[GPintheMitten]

PS. If you have to pull cables through conduit. Try this. Glue the conduit up empty. Then tie a small balloon or similar object to the end of a string. Get your shop vac out and fashion a suction line to the conduit. Turn the vac on and pull the string through the conduit. Then use the string to pull your cables. Slick as can be.

 

[Zick]

Nice review! Looks like a useful tool.

Thanks

 

[jeff9366]

How much does the Rip & Dig weigh?

Did you B2620 have ample power to fully function the Rip & Dig?

 

[GPintheMitten]

It weighs 102 pounds. I dont have a BX. I have a B2620.

But I think a BX could handle it.

How much does the Rip & Dig weigh?

Did you BX have ample power to fully function the Rip & Dig?

 

[Fallon]

How does it compare to a bucket spade? Looks rather similar.

 

[IslandTractor]

How does it compare to a bucket spade? Looks rather similar.

I have a "bucket spade" for my forks. I've never used a rip and dig (but do own the ratchet rake). As best I can tell from the photos, the digging function would be about the same. My forks are 42" so I can dig deeper but it isn't that useful when planting bushes or trees as you wouldn't dig that deep anyway. Forks and a spade attachment might be easier to use if digging a deep trench but that is about the only advantage I can think of. The ripper part is of course unique. I haven't seen anyone post photos of how well the ripper does at helping to extract bushes or trees. With my forks spade, I can dig down and under a bush to remove it. I imagine using the ripper would take roughly the same time as it requires repositioning the tractor to cut a circle.

Here are a few photos of the "quick spade" in action. Mine is the forks only version. They make another that can go directly on a bucket as well but with about half or less depth capability. The photo of the stump being removed is misleading though as I was just using the forks and spade to dig under the stump after I used a BH with ripper to do most of the work. Still, it shows that the long reach can be useful.