Building a ripper claw for KX41 mini-excavator.

[Sodo]

One thing good about using 3/8" it was fairly easy to cut the holes with the holesaw. Then doubled it and welded together. And when I put the doubler on I was able to fit it tight, very little slop, and weld in-place. This thing fits like a glove! Or perhaps the middle finger of a glove.

With full 3/4" thick material you will have to use a plasma cutter or oxy acet torch to cut that Quick-attach shape. I think a holesaw will have a hard time ejecting the chips, that 3/8 seemed about max. Maybe cut from each side Sure would be handy if the Quick-attach lugs were available to buy.

 

[Arc weld]

Hardface the tip because it will wear fast. If I were to build a ripper tooth I'd go to the scrap yard and get the right thickness of steel so it looks a little more professional than having a bunch of extra pieces added on after the fact. Most people with a welder have a torch. That ripper tooth has about 20 separate pieces where normally a ripper tooth will have about 4. Even if you had to have the pieces cut it wouldn't be very expensive but would sure look a lot better. You can't really say you just slapped that together with all the labour involved and all the pieces.

 

[Sodo]

I've wanted a claw for almost 2 years, finally got the time & built over 2 days, by generator power, not getting in the truck to go to town even once. Thats alright, it's a FINE ripper claw.

Pretty easy to stay ontop of the wear cuz I have a MIG; can build up anytime. What's a little 'squirt' every five years? ER70 wire is 70kpsi; is almost twice as hard as A36, lots of folks build up wear with ER70. Kinda looking forward to it ,,,,,,,,, wear means its a worthwhile tool.

 

[k0ua]

Good job Sodo. It looks "wicked"..

 

[downsizingnow48]

What color will you paint it?

 

[Sodo]

So you're telling me I'm done welding... that NEVER happens. I do have a little "cutting" though, to make it clamp better. But I guess you're right, probably ought to paint it Kubota orange. If I could order the orange paint right now I'd do it, where do you get yours?

 

[k0ua]

I vote for painting it Rustoleum gloss black. Much cheaper to repaint, and since it spends a lot of time in the dirt, repainting will be needed. Or you can use Rustoleum "Lobster Red" and it is real close, not exact, but real close to Kubota Orange II.

 

[k0ua]

Sodo, I think you did real well. You took "junk" steel for the most part you had just laying around doing nothing, and with a bit of electricity and some welding wire, you turned it into something very useful. :thumbsup: And well done.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I vote for Rustoleum gloss black also.

I keep a can or two of that lobster red around. Apart from being close to Kubota orange, it is a real nice color on its own. Only ever found it at Walmart.

I think the ripper tooth and the undercarriage repair both turned out great - effective use of what is just laying around.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Although you might consider giving yourself a plasma cutter for Christmas. Much less drama than a series of plunge cuts with a metal cutting saw followed by sawzall.