looks like what I could really use is some type of middle buster, but mounted on the side of my box scraper…. Yes, side torque, but i dont think it would excessive compared to hitting a rock on one side!
Haven’t read this thread in a while. Seems like the consensus is you need a mini-ex to clean out an existing ditch (not dig a new ditch, just clean loose material out of an existing shallow ditch). Requirements for digging a ditch v routinely cleaning an existing ditch are sort of similar but also quite different. If you’re hitting large rocks and large roots, that’s not routine ditch cleaning maintenance. That’s cutting a new ditch or recutting a ditch that’s been neglected for a very long time.
Looked at your pics. If you’re cutting new ditches or they’ve been neglected so long there are large roots in them, I understand why an excavator would be ideal and maybe necessary. Unless you’re already a proficient excavator operator, I’d hire that out if that’s what you need.
Long term maintenance need is routine cleaning. Cleaning relatively loose material (dirt, leaves, gravel, etc.) out of existing ditches, I don’t know why you’d need anything other than an offset blade. An adjustable side link on both sides of the three point (one adjusted full up, the other full down) or a blade that tilts to add to the three point tilt ability is sometimes helpful if you need more blade tilt. If you want an offset ripper, you can get a three shank
ripper and take off the shanks you don’t need. I have an old home made one buried in the back of the shed somewhere. If you ever use an offset ground engaging implement of any type, go slow and be ready to stop quickly if it catches on something. If it catches a big rock, big root, etc. it can spin the tractor into a hard turn very quickly. Not a big deal if you’re aware and paying attention,
