Can U replace bh bucket W/ rip shank?

[Tom_H]

Is there any such implement that looks like a rip shank but is designed to temporarily go where the bucket goes at the end of a backhoe arm? I know I've seen compaction rollers on them for use after backfilling trenches and wondered whether there are other implements can go there.

Here's my situation. Beneath my clay topsoil, I have hardpan that's almost turned to sedimentary rock. The topsoil varies from 10" to 4'. Below it the hardpan varies from 4' to 16' thick. The hardpan can be cut with difficulty by big backhoes and medium to large down pressured post hole diggers with sharp carbide tipped augers.

I'm thinking of trading my BX2200 for a BX23, or of buying a Woods GroundbreakerX BH6000 backhoe. It's doubtful either of these hoes will dig in the hardpan. In any case, I will get a backhoe which I'll use for several purposes in the topsoil.

Here's my idea. I have a friend with a Bobcat post hole digger (downpressured & carbide tip) who will auger 16" dia., 6' deep holes where I'm gonna' plant some trees. I want to loosen up the hardpan all around those holes, but not remove the material. I was thinking that a single rip shank in place of the bucket would have much more concentrated force. It probably would need to be somewhat larger than a single bh tooth and be curved a bit like a sabre tooth or a raptor talon and have a sharp carbide cutting edge. Having the augered hole would allow me to place the shank tip partly down in the hole and exert the breakout force from an angle.

Does such an implement exist? If so, anybody know where they can be obtained? If not, Junkman, this could be one of those new inventions maybe.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[nobull1]

Bobcat makes them for their excavators ripper .It could probably be made to work on the Kubota.

 

[DannyD]

dont know about shanks, but I know I just traded my 2200 2003 model for a BX23 2004 model. Be ready for a very nice surprise. I got a Christmas in July deal for sure!

Dont cut that backhoe short, that thing will dig and has quite a bit of power for the size of it.

 

[Tom_H]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dont cut that backhoe short )</font>

Danny, we are not talking about soil. We are talking about rock, soft rock, but rock. Full sized utility tractors have a very hard time digging this stuff. Every Kubota dealer in the area has just laughed when I asked whether a BX23 bh could dig in this stuff. When I was building my house, my propane line had to be 18" down. The soil was 17" deep. Using a small electric jackhammer it took me 2 hours to cut a 1" deep 1 1/2" wide, 4' long groove at the bottom of a little trench. The jackhammer did little else but bounce off the surface. I weigh 225. I've had the BX2200 at full throttle with the post hole digger going while I stood on the top of the outer end of the PHD, holding on to the ROPS (Yeah, I know it was stupid); the PHD just spun round & round. Didn't even scratch the hardpan. I can chisel it out with a masonry chisel & sledgehammer. It's not quite as hard as chiseling concrete, but sure ain't dirt! Vintners around here use Cat D11R's with 8'rippers to prep the ground for new vineyards, but those Mommas cost $5k just for permits, travel time, & escort vehicles.

I'm not asking for advice about whether a regular bh bucket on a BX will dig in this stuff; it's a virtual non-possiblity. I do plan to buy a bh & I think my idea as described above MIGHT succeed due to having the hole already there and focusing the energy into one sharp point from an angle. My question is about obtaining a single ripper for the end of the arm.

Now that I know they do exist (thanks for the link, nobull1), anybody else know of other manufacturers, sizes, etc.?

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[jim_wilson]

They do exist - check out Metkit ripper - I am not sure what the spacing is - you might be able to find out from Metkit and then check it against the BX23. If you do please let me know - I was sort of thinking of one of these for my BX23 to help with ripping roots out of the ground up here in MA.

 

[v8dave]

Tom, I'm glad you asked this question. You have given me a way to handle nearly the same problem. Although, mine is not yet decomposed granite. Maybe, this stuff slipped down the hill from here and that's what you are attacking? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've scratched some of this stuff fairly deeply with the bucket teeth on my backhoe. Once in a while I manage to catch a corner and make some headway as it breaks off in chunks. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

By-the-way, the smaller bucket on my B7610 and B4672 backhoe made more progress in this stuff than the Case backhoe the concrete contractor had (contractor building my shop). I've got a 12" bucket, sometimes in hard digging I wish I had an 8" or 6" bucket. Kubota only goes down to 10" though.

I may investigate adding a ripper like the Metkit stuff.

Regards,
Dave

 

[DSM]

I made one of these years ago for my Dad's Case 646 backhoe-loader. This is a machine very similar in size to the BX22/23, except it doesn't have a 3 point hitch. A MMM was available however. I used the attachment to cut a narrow slit to bury cable. I welded it together from 3/8" steel, with two layers welded together for the blade. The sides were 3/8" steel cut with slots to fit the bucket. The spacing fit between the teeth. The unit slides onto the backhoe bucket and I threaded two holes for bolts to clamp it on. It worked well, but didn't handle side loading well - it just flexed.

 

[rswyan]

This is something that's been on my short list to fabricate for my 'hoe .....

(although I haven't even gotten around to switching from the 16" bucket to the 10" since I got the 'hoe a month ago .....)