I started my backhoe Root Ripper.

[Gofast]

I just measured 22" from tip to center of pivot, hoping to give you some scale for comparison. I suspect you could move dirt to the sides with your tooth better than I could push or pull with mine. Thinking I'd want it moved to the side when approaching a root perpendicular to it. That squared back is only 8" wide. Y'know, the more I compare our two the more impressed I am with yours, esp that QA bit. :thumbsup:

I doubt that our machines are much different, esp since you have the stronger MF CB 65 BH option. (Compact T5C will drive thru' a 4' wide gate) You have more hp & weight & I a tad more reach/depth, but IMO our machines can't be much different in o'all digging ability. (Case/IH 1.1L DX26 is similar size but lighter, too)

btw, I commend you for a TOPICALLY RELEVANT THREAD TITLE that means folks can actually find it for future reference. (Sure beats something like "Finally started it!" or similar near-miss) Man, have you considered building and selling a few more?? :scratchchin:

Thanks for the nice remarks. I do hope others will gain from this post. Sharing ideas with people with all different experience it great.
I will have to put the QC through its paces to make sure there are no issues during extended use. If I ever made more I would have them laser cut then make a good jig to weld it.
I would have alpha and bata testers… getting way ahead of myself.

At this point I am just very happy mine it working. My hard-facing mig wire comes in tomorrow.
This weekend I need to get moving on my 16” bucket I will probably start a new post for the bucket. There are some pretty cool bucket builds one here already.

 

[BukitCase]

Glad your ripper's working out; and your QA is a DEFINITE winner over the approximate 30 minutes mine takes :thumbdown:
If you have any more pics of that part, please don't be shy :thumbsup:

I would ALSO be interested in your MIG hardface wire, all I've used is Stoody stick. Works fine on longer beads, but there's been a couple things I tried where the total area was only 3/4" wide (box blade ripper pockets) - by the time you get the stick "lit up", you're DONE Soooo, if you have a link/name/part#, etc, please post - thanks... Steve

 

[Gofast]

I really had a hard time finding a small roll. I did not need very much and I read it was very soft so I wanted to use my spool gun.
Blue Demon 55FC-O X .035 X 1LB Spool flux core gasless hardfacing welding wire is what I ended up with.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G5GI3DO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was very pleased with the QA. One min to switch between attachments. This is quick enough that you switch to what you need during a job.
I can get more pictures of the QA.

I have a 10" bucket I am making a 16" bucket.
I keep going back and forth if I need another bucket at all. If so what size 12" or 14"

10" should be find for trenching and 16" for digging bigger holes and backfilling where FEL can not get.
Even typing it out I am not sure that a bucket size between 10" and 16" would be useful.
I probably have most what I would need to make another bucket but I would have to but bucket teeth and those are not cheap.
Enough rambling for now.

 

[the old grind]

Aquamoose, your puller looks well suited to my puny NH 110 TL FEL (/7108/7308 'on paper'). I especially like your 'brush catcher' since we typically rely on curl to work 'em loose, and stuff tips. D-ring is something to notice, a nice touch.

btw, you have the tractor I 'want' and I have a HD puller that could use your FEL's far greater lift and curl power. Pivot pin & bushing on the moveable jaw are 3" vs smaller ones on taller, braced jaws with a bearing at the top too. Make both easily on the lathe, if ever. Mind you, this was nearly $1400 OTD, and many like it are as much.


Gofast, I like you pics, and now I gotta have a thumb, too. :duh: (aka "surgical grapple"?)

 

[Gofast]

I did a small change on the pin I take out on my QC. I welded a flag on it so you can get ahold of it to pull it out.
I know the pin steel is not good for welding but this is not structural at all.

 

[Gofast]

I took it out yesterday and put it to work.
I think I am going to adjust the tip so the thumb will close more so I can get a better grip on smaller stuff.
I have the power to rip out small stuff if I could grip it tighter.
I under estimated how useful the thump would be with this. It is supper useful and with a small change I should be able to make it work better.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Maybe your next project could be to add a hydraulic cylinder to your thumb. Exceptionally useful.

 

[Gofast]

Maybe your next project could be to add a hydraulic cylinder to your thumb. Exceptionally useful.

How do you control the thumb?

 

[downsizingnow48]

I added a double valve in the hydraulic circuit, in between the loader valve and the backhoe. One valve controls the thumb, the other controls the grapple.

 

[Aquamoose]

I added a double valve in the hydraulic circuit, in between the loader valve and the backhoe. One valve controls the thumb, the other controls the grapple.

Now you got my attention. Details & pics?