Rip and Dig FEL Accessory - Review

[IslandTractor]

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.

Photos?

 

[pwright]

Silly question but what is the technique one uses with the Rip & Dig to dig a hole or a trench? Do you tilt it down at say a 45 deg angle and then push down with the FEL?

Once you have it stuck in the dirt do you curl the bucket back to dig?

I'm guessing that if you are trenching that you do a lot of backing up with the steering hard over to the right or left so that you can dump whatever it digs out to the side of the trench?

 

[IslandTractor]

Silly question but what is the technique one uses with the Rip & Dig to dig a hole or a trench? Do you tilt it down at say a 45 deg angle and then push down with the FEL?

Once you have it stuck in the dirt do you curl the bucket back to dig?

I'm guessing that if you are trenching that you do a lot of backing up with the steering hard over to the right or left so that you can dump whatever it digs out to the side of the trench?

You've got it.

 

[GPintheMitten]

How much does the Rip & Dig weigh?

Did you B2620 have ample power to fully function the Rip & Dig?

I see you editted your post to say b2620. Yes it had enough power.

 

[juddspaintballs]

PS. If you have to pull cables through conduit. Try this. Glue the conduit up empty. Then tie a small balloon or similar object to the end of a string. Get your shop vac out and fashion a suction line to the conduit. Turn the vac on and pull the string through the conduit. Then use the string to pull your cables. Slick as can be.

That method works great for long runs. For anything under 100', I use my wire fish tape though. I learned a while ago to go one size up on conduit and always leave a string in the conduit for adding a future wire, just in case.

 

[ishiboo]

Looks interesting. I might try something similar.

I trenched a lot with a mini last summer, I'll be repairing the damage this spring. It's easy to dig up a lot of dirt in a hurry, and it ends up being a big mess to clean up and re-seed. Between that and the drain spade 150' trench I dug by hand, I think I'd dig another by hand before ripping up so much seeded area.

I think it'd be cool to build a simple pull-behind sod cutter to pull the sod, then dig the trench onto tarps next to the trench, lay the conduit, put the dirt back and then the sod back.

 

[PILOON]

Photos?

Wish I could but presently my wicked tooth is under about 4 foot pile of blown snow.
Now that I think about it that wicked tooth actually might be a marketable product.
Definitely practical, not bulky, and would not be overly pricy for occasional users.
If production is your goal PM me as a reminder.

 

[PILOON]

That method works great for long runs. For anything under 100', I use my wire fish tape though. I learned a while ago to go one size up on conduit and always leave a string in the conduit for adding a future wire, just in case.

What also helps greatly is a lubricant especially designed for cable pulling and used by electricians.
Sells for about $10.00 a gt and will allow U to pull i.e. 1.5" bundle in a 2" conduit for a long distance. (I once pulled 3x#12 twisted pump line in 150ft of 3/4" PVC useing that lube)
Electrical wholesalers (not box stores) will carry it.

 

[SeymourBota]

My rip and dig came this week- actually some of it came last week.

Somehow, Fed Ex managed to separate the unit from the accessory box and only the cardboard box arrived.

I spoke with the folks at Ratchet Rake (after hours, too) and they immediately shipped out a replacement unit. Fed Ex still hasn't found the first one or settled with them but I have to say Ratchet Rake really stepped up to the plate on this. It's great to buy from a company that puts the needs and satisfaction of their customers first!!!

Looking forward to mounting it this weekend.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm interested in buying a rip n dig since I sold my front backhoe. Plus I was one of the original RR buyers and know them to be a great company with a great product. I bought pre Tractor Supply distributor, direct from RR Company. Still using yours, anyone else using one? You or anyone want to sell one?