How to make box blade type shanks penetrate further?

[Gary Fowler]

I have an implement that has box blade shanks on it and is some sort of a mini ripper or scarifier. It does not penetrate as much as I think it should and only goes maybe four or so inches deep. I got a little more when I shortened the top link, so that helped but I would like maybe seven inches or so. I have the three point arms correct so that's not the issue and I tried on both soft and hard ground so that's not the problem. It's heavy enough.

So is there a secret? How do I get these shanks to penetrate further or is this all there is? Anyone know?


View attachment 466561

I have the same implement except mine is red. With the implement setting level like in your photo, mine will drag the beam in the dirt even on hard soil if my tractor will pull it. Those scarifier shanks pull themselves into the ground so any shallow penetration has to be because your lift arms aren't letting the implement go all the way down. Check your draft control if you have one, it may be holding the lift arms up. Move it all the way down, make sure your 3 PH control is going all the way down (not hitting the depth control knob). If this doesn't work for you, remove the scarifiers and see if your lift arms allow the implement to lower enough so that the beam gets down to the ground or nearly so.

 

[Gary Fowler]

DOGS: Just out of curiosity, why didn't you go with a Chisel Plow?

I think my ripper cost me $250. Can yo buy a chisel plow for that amount. It also doesn't take as much HP to pull the ripper and with a couple of passes you have done the same as a chisel plow. If you are doing a 100 acres or more, a chisel plow is the way to go although most large farms now are zero tillage.

 

[sixdogs]

I think my ripper cost me $250. Can yo buy a chisel plow for that amount. It also doesn't take as much HP to pull the ripper and with a couple of passes you have done the same as a chisel plow. If you are doing a 100 acres or more, a chisel plow is the way to go although most large farms now are zero tillage.

I've got rippers and chisel plows. What appeals to me about this smaller "scarifier" or mini-ripper is that it's easier to trailer, can be used on a smaller tractor, is less costly to operate and can fit in tighter places. It can break the ground on a construction site easily and cheaply and is pretty hard to damage with a compact tractor. It really works great and I highly recommend it.

 

[sixdogs]

Here's an update on this and what I think is intended by design. After looking at various tractors today and the distance the rear links are from the ground, it occurred to me that the maker of the scarifier/ripper designed it so that the link pins were of a height that could only be used by smaller tractors. Which means it is somewhat matched to the horsepower intended for use. If someone tries to hook it to a bigger HP tractor, which might be likely to damage it, the implement would not be able to go low enough into the ground because the lift arm ends would be too high.

This isn't going to prevent all situations, but that's what I have come to believe about this particular implement. Just my two cents.