Rip and Dig FEL Accessory - Review

[hunterridgefarm]

Both look like very useful tools and I could use one. How do you think they would do in rocky soil. I am in Western NC and my soil at the house is very rocky.

 

[IslandTractor]

Both look like very useful tools and I could use one. How do you think they would do in rocky soil. I am in Western NC and my soil at the house is very rocky.

Rocky soil is always a challenge. I don't see anything in either product that would be a substantial advantage.

 

[cartod]

That quick spade looks like something I could really dig with using my short 24" landscaping forks. Where did you get it?

 

[jeff9366]

Below are a few photos of my Bucket Spade.

Mine is from Bucket Solutions. It clamps on the bucket using a wrench but also has female receptacles for pallet forks on the back.

Tractor and Skidsteer bucket spade shovel

From reading this thread it seems Rip & Dig would be better for trenching, a Bucket Spade possibly better for tree planting and large hole excavation. ( ?? )

I do not recommend Bucket Spade to anyone with an FEL equipped tractor loader lighter than my B3300SU at 1,900 pounds. It would excel on a tractor loader with a weight of 2,500+ pounds.

 

[IslandTractor]

That quick spade looks like something I could really dig with using my short 24" landscaping forks. Where did you get it?

Not sure but maybe it was Northern Tools. Quick Spade is the brand name. Should be able to Google that. If I were doing it again, I would pay a bit extra for the version that can be used on either the forks or directly on a standard bucket. Don't recall the price a few years ago but something close to $250 I believe.

 

[GPintheMitten]

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

Well I never used a bucket spade but yes they are similar.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I do like that you can dig deeper with the fork mounted shovel.

I like the bucket teeth on the Rip and Dig. I can work it front and back to loosen hard clay in the hole or ditch.

They are both good tools.

 

[IslandTractor]

I do like that you can dig deeper with the fork mounted shovel.

I like the bucket teeth on the Rip and Dig. I can work it front and back to loosen hard clay in the hole or ditch.

They are both good tools.

Agree. The ripper does look useful too especially if you are taking out lots of saplings with a smaller tractor. Rip roots on one side and then push it over more easily. Probably not that much benefit for a bigger tractor which could push over the sapling without ripping. I doubt (but have obviously never tried) the ripper thingie would be very efficient or work at all with bigger trees. For bushes and saplings it seems to me it would be great.

One benefit of the forks mounted version is that you can have a standard bucket with a toothbar. I don't think these bucket spades can be mounted on buckets with bolt on toothbars. On the other hand, having the rip and dig spade obviates some of the need for a toothbar.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Today I planted the trees. I used the Digger with a strap and chain to lift the trees and place in the holes.

I used a tree saver strap around the base of the trunk and hooked the chain to the wire basket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5ceBBuXqQY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[PILOON]

I made a wicked 'tooth' using a front axle from my old pickup,
Fabricated the attachment similar to clamp on forks only much more HD.
The 'tooth' is about 16" beyond the bucket lip. Works great to pluck stones and rip out roots.
While narrower (only 1 1/4" diam) it sure tears up a slit in a hurry and plucks rocks real time.
Cost was my time and 1 doz welding rods + scrap on hand.