The Single Pointed Ripper Bucket (SPRB) from Leading Edge Attachments Inc. is a new style ripper/bucket combination for excavators and backhoes that rips rock, coral shale, caliche, decomposed granite, limestone, sandstone, asphalt or frozen ground with the maximum breakout force; pries out and carries stumps or boulders; rips a clean narrow V trench for laying utilities; plus scoops and loads material.

The SPRB allows the operator to own a relatively inexpensive Single Pointed Ripper (SPR) plus scoop and remove ripped debris without requiring a tool or machine change, according to the manufacturer.

The sides are solid high strength HARDOX 400 steel slabs that are arranged in a V shape. These plates converge at the bottom and are connected to a structural member that holds a single replaceable tooth.

The tip radius is shorter than the standard bucket to keep the breakout forces high, but is long enough to form a V shape for ripping and prying.

By ripping a narrow V shaped trench, a utility line or cable can be laid in the bottom of the trench, minimizing the amount of rock to be ripped and the handling of backfill material.

In locations where rock bedding is required, the quantity is reduced due to the very narrow trench bottom.

The SPRB facilitates prying of stumps, boulders and flat rock slab formations that can be pried with existing SPRs, but not with any of the existing ripper/bucket combinations.

After the rock is ripped by the tooth, the sides are ripped flat by the following side leading edges of the SPRB.

This cutting angle causes an upward displacement of the ripper material instead of binding the material by displacing it side to side.

With the SPRB, displacing the material upwards causes a smoother ripping effect. The curved side leading edges also help the operator cradle and carry large boulders and stumps.

Other features of the SPRB include:

• Allows the operator to scoop material

The operator can scoop and clean out the ripped rock debris because the bucket has some capacity.

• Effective ripper

The operator will be achieving the full breakout force going through one tooth. This combined with the fact that the SPRB can be shorter than the standard SPR also allows the breakout force to be higher.

• Facilitates prying with a ripper/bucket combination

• Reduces the necessary amount of rock ripped

For utility contractors laying cables or pipes in rock, the SPRB rips a minimum amount of rock by not ripping the bottom corners of the trench, as compared to a square shaped trench bottom.

• Reduces the required backfill amount

Just as not ripping the bottom corners of the trench saves time, it also saves time and material because the operator does not have to backfill the corners of the trench.

• Creates a clean V-shaped ripped trench

As compared to a single pointed ripper that leaves the sides in rough condition, the SPRB shapes the sides of the V trench by scraping the angled side of the bucket against the ripped side walls, thus creating a uniform trench.

• Stump ripping is easier

The narrow shape rips roots easier because it displaces less dirt, and makes it easier to grab and hold the stump for pulling and carrying.

• Cradles rocks and stumps

The wider curved cupping shape offers a wider support for trapping items between the SPRB and the machine arm or thumb.

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