NO. 7, NO. 8 AND NO. 9 RIPPERS Operation Instructions Caterpillar

Operation Instructions

NO. 7, NO. 8 AND NO. 9 RIPPERS [FE045056]

NO. 7, NO. 8 AND NO. 9 RIPPERS Maintenance Instructions

MACHINE ARRANGEMENT

NO. 7, NO. 8 AND NO. 9 RIPPERS Operation Instructions

NO. 7, NO. 8 AND NO. 9 RIPPERS Maintenance Instructions

1.1. Control Levers

2.1. Operating The Ripper

3.1. Operating Adjustments

When the engine is running, the hydraulic control is ready to operate the ripper.

Control Levers

CONTROL LEVER POSITIONS
1-RAISE. 2-HOLD. 3-LOWER.

Operating The Ripper

Generally follow a procedure which will loosen the most rock or earth with the least effort by machine and operator. The condition of the earth, character and type of rock determine its ripability. Some knowledge of these conditions will help the operator obtain the highest production possible.

1. Starting the Ripping Pass

Pull the ripper straight into the material, shift to first gear and lower the ripper gradually as the machine moves forward. When the ripper has been lowered to the desired depth, move the control lever to the HOLD position.

2. Travel Speed When Ripping

Use first gear for most ripping operations because 1 to 1 1/2 MPH is generally as fast as it is practical to go. It is better to use additional shanks rather than increase speed in less severe conditions.

3. Number of Shanks to Use

In most cases it is advantageous to start with one shank. If the material is penetrated easily and breaks up satisfactorily, perhaps two shanks will do the job. Three shanks should be used only in easy-to-rip material such as hardpan or shale.

4. Depth at Which to Rip

In most cases it is desirable to rip as deep as possible. Control the depth so the machine will not stall and so the material is broken up properly. It is sometimes better to rip at a partial depth and remove material in its natural layers rather than try to make a full depth pass. Never bulldoze or scrape away all the ripped material before ripping deeper. Keep several inches of ripped material above the unripped formation to cushion the machine and provide traction.

5. Distance Between Ripper Passes

Maximum pass spacing holds down the cost per yard. When final material size must be relatively small, closer pass spacing is needed than for material that will be wasted.

6. Ripping Direction

Ripping direction is generally dictated by the job layout. When ripping a scraper cut, it is usually advantageous to rip in the same direction that the scrapers load. Downhill ripping should be done whenever possible to utilize machine weight and increase production.

Show/hide table

NOTICE

Do not turn the machine abruptly while the shanks are in the ground. This puts a twisting strain on the shanks and tips and may contribute to failure.

7. Cross Ripping

Cross ripping makes the pit rougher and is more severe on scrapers and other excavating tools. It should be done only where unidirectional ripping will not adequately loosen the formation.

8. Tandem Ripping

Adding a second tractor to either push or pull the tractor-ripper combination extends the range of the ripper into harder materials.

Following are pictures and comments on several ripping applications.

PACKED SOILS, HARDPAN, CLAYS, SHALES OR CEMENTED GRAVELS
THESE ARE THE EASIEST FORMATIONS TO RIP AND ARE USUALLY DONE WITH A FULL COMPLEMENT OF SHANKS AND AT FULL DEPTH.

STRATIFIED OR LAMINATED ROCK WITH FRACTURES, FAULTS AND PLANES OF WEAKNESS
USE TWO SHANKS WHERE THE ROCK BREAKS OUT IN SMALL PIECES AND WHERE THE MACHINE CAN EASILY HANDLE THE JOB. WHEN THE MACHINE BEGINS TO SPIN OR STALL EXCESSIVELY OR HANG UP ON HARD SPOTS, USE ONLY THE CENTER SHANK.

ASPHALT ROAD SURFACES
GENERALLY ASPHALT SURFACING IS EASILY TORN UP WITH A RIPPER. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE LIMITED TRACTION OF THE STEEL GROUSER ON THE SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE. LIFTING OR WORKING THE RIPPER BEAM AND SHANKS TO LIFT OUT OR BREAK UP THE MATERIAL IMPROVES RIPPING RESULTS.

CONCRETE ROAD SURFACES
THE RIPPER IS ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE IN SEVERING REINFORCING RODS OR WIRE. THE REINFORCING RODS BREAK AS THE CONCRETE IS BROKEN INTO SMALLER PIECES, MAKING IT EASIER TO HANDLE.

SOLID ROCK, GRANITE OR HARD TO RIP MATERIAL (NO. 8 AND NO. 9 SINGLE SHANK RIPPERS)
ONE SHANK SHOULD BE USED IN HARD-TO RIP MATERIAL AND MATERIAL THAT TENDS TO BREAK OUT IN LARGE SLABS OR PIECES. ONE SHANK RIPPING IS EASIER ON THE MACHINE AND RIPPER BECAUSE THE SHOCK LOADS ARE CENTERED AND DO NOT ALTERNATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS IN TWO SHANK RIPPING.

HARD TO PENETRATE MATERIAL (NO. 8 AND NO. 9 RIPPERS ONLY)
TANDEM RIPPING EXTENDS THE USE OF THE MACHINE INTO MATERIALS WHICH FORMERLY HAD TO BE DRILLED AND BLASTED. DOWN PRESSURE OF THE HYDRAULIC BLADE HELPS PENETRATION OF THE RIPPER. CABLE OPERATED BULLDOZERS ADD AT LEAST THE WEIGHT OF THE BLADE TO AID PENETRATION OF THE RIPPER.