Having fun pulling stumps with Backhoe and ripper tooth...

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
3,175
2,130
113
Eastham, Ma
Thats my problem. I have a lot of large (not huge) stumps on my property to get rid of. The last one I took out left a massive crater in the yard. Had to pull it outta the hole with my truck and then had a difficult time moving it to an out of the way destination with the kubota. It looks like the ripper wouldnt disturb the area as much as my bucket. Then I also have very rocky ground. Anyone use a ripper in very rocky terrain?
That is certainly my issue.
I want to avoid creating an open pit mine whenever I remove a large stump.
My Kubota loader is rated to lift 3,000 lbs, so moving a stump after removal is not a problem.

Grinding might be the best option for me, and while that will dispose of the stumps, it will also create a bill for grinding stumps (I do not want to buy a grinder).

A stout ripper may not be quite as easy to use, but I will have no grinding bill, and will have a ripper tool, that can be readily sold to another Kubota TLB owner, if I so choose.

I do not have ANY rocks, but certainly would expect a ripper to work well in rocky ground.
 
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Smokeydog

Active member

Equipment
M59, B26 grapples, backhoes, tillers, graders, diesel atv
Jun 2, 2020
137
126
43
knoxville, Tennessee
Removed the stump, big roots, backfilled and raked, to carrying off debris about 45 minutes.

Many variables digging stumps. Guesstimate ripper is about 5X quicker than bucket, 5X less ground disturbance. Fun priceless.
With the KX quick attach two minutes max for changing buckets.
 

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fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
3,175
2,130
113
Eastham, Ma
Removed the stump, big roots, backfilled and raked, to carrying off debris about 45 minutes.

Many variables digging stumps. Guesstimate ripper is about 5X quicker than bucket, 5X less ground disturbance. Fun priceless.
With the KX quick attach two minutes max for changing buckets.
Appreciate your very positive ripper post.
I am shopping for a root ripper for my L48.

How deep will yours dig?
I am currently considering a 28" depth one, made by "Ox Thumbs" in Carrollton, GA..
It ain't cheap at $1,000 - phone quote- , (yours sells for $1133?) but think I can make good use of it.

I too have the Q/A, but am wondering how to store a ripper so that it is standing upright for the Q/A?
The Ox ripper weighs 112lbs.
Too heavy for me to lift.
 

Smokeydog

Active member

Equipment
M59, B26 grapples, backhoes, tillers, graders, diesel atv
Jun 2, 2020
137
126
43
knoxville, Tennessee
Appreciate your very positive ripper post.
I am shopping for a root ripper for my L48.

How deep will yours dig?
I am currently considering a 28" depth one, made by "Ox Thumbs" in Carrollton, GA..
It ain't cheap at $1,000 - phone quote- , (yours sells for $1133?) but think I can make good use of it.

I too have the Q/A, but am wondering how to store a ripper so that it is standing upright for the Q/A?
The Ox ripper weighs 112lbs.
Too heavy for me to lift.
You do have a rare L48 with KX QA. Later M59 and current M62 have that option and requires an optional thumb. I had to modify my pin-on OEM with USA Attachments M59 to KX QA and modify the thumb a little. Well worth finding and changing the huge amount of excavator attachments. USA’s 12” and 24” buckets fit and function perfect. Sharp ESCO teeth cut better than the Kubota teeth.

Just measured mine, 24.5” from plate to tip. Mates With thumb well. Longer would lower the breakout some. 6-8” roots the shank can’t break can shredded with 1.5” chisel sharp excavator tooth. The big surface roots I like find and fold back/break to the stump to get them out of the ground. Another advantage of the ripper tracing roots.
A friend and I both did the modifications to our M59s. He did the first. Ordered the rippers after as a package deal and split shipping cost. Got Johnny at USA attachments to throw in extra QA mounting pins. Think if you call and ask for Johnny you will get a better than eBay price. Pleased with their equipment and customer service. Economical shipping and no tax to Tennessee.
2C759B05-F2C2-4D24-A2EF-473FD5141679.jpeg

I use scrap piece of oak 2x6” under the ears to keep the ripper from flopping over when on the ground. Agree much too heavy to lift. No problem attaching at this angle. Might weld on some 1” shackle mount tabs on the quick hitch and not need the block.
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
3,175
2,130
113
Eastham, Ma
You do have a rare L48 with KX QA. Later M59 and current M62 have that option and requires an optional thumb. I had to modify my pin-on OEM with USA Attachments M59 to KX QA and modify the thumb a little. Well worth finding and changing the huge amount of excavator attachments. USA’s 12” and 24” buckets fit and function perfect. Sharp ESCO teeth cut better than the Kubota teeth.

Just measured mine, 24.5” from plate to tip. Mates With thumb well. Longer would lower the breakout some. 6-8” roots the shank can’t break can shredded with 1.5” chisel sharp excavator tooth. The big surface roots I like find and fold back/break to the stump to get them out of the ground. Another advantage of the ripper tracing roots.
A friend and I both did the modifications to our M59s. He did the first. Ordered the rippers after as a package deal and split shipping cost. Got Johnny at USA attachments to throw in extra QA mounting pins. Think if you call and ask for Johnny you will get a better than eBay price. Pleased with their equipment and customer service. Economical shipping and no tax to Tennessee.
View attachment 98852
I use scrap piece of oak 2x6” under the ears to keep the ripper from flopping over when on the ground. Agree much too heavy to lift. No problem attaching at this angle. Might weld on some 1” shackle mount tabs on the quick hitch and not need the block.
My original owner had a bunch of good stuff on the (251 hr) L48.
In addition to BH Q/A, he added a hyd. thumb (custom), that IMHO is better than Kubota.
He also added 3 rear remotes, and a remote hydraulic locking system for the loader bucket/forks (no dismount).

As you may conclude, I love my L48 (last big toy in life at 82).
Only thing better would be your M59, or an M62, but that ain't gonna happen.

Bucket teeth are a somewhat different issue for me.
Other than a occasional need for roots, my digging is in very sandy soil.
Never a rock bigger than a pea.
As a result I have added a removable (pin on) cutting edge to my 16" bucket. ( can't do that with my 24" bucket)
By driving out two pins, I can switch between smooth edge and tooth edge.

I appreciate the picture of the thumb on the ground.
I was thinking, ......why not just stick it in the ground,..... when it is outside.
My Kubota and I have separate living arrangements for 6 months of each year (me in FL), and I would prefer to not store the ripper flat on the floor in my building.
I'll figure out something.

Thanks for the heads up.
I may give Johnny a call, though I am really leaning toward the "Ox" extra depth at 28"