Ripper blade for trenching?

John T

Well-known member

Equipment
2017 BX23S
May 5, 2017
1,014
471
83
under a rock
I have a few trench projects I'd like to get to.

I'm looking into the BXexpanded quick connect and either, trenching bucket or ripper...

Q:
can I successfully trench with the ripper blade / will it make a wide enough path for say, 2" conduit?
or should I get the trenching bucket?

I've got rocky soil so I'm thinking the trenching bucket might be best in case I happen upon some big eggs...

anyway,
just thinking out loud,

any tips appreciated.
 

John T

Well-known member

Equipment
2017 BX23S
May 5, 2017
1,014
471
83
under a rock
Nice
But I don't think that would work too good with New England hard packed soil and eggs

I wouldn't get 2 feet

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Herkypilot

Member

Equipment
KX040, M7060HDC 12 & L3540
Oct 10, 2011
47
2
8
Carroll County, VA
You'd be surprised what a "good" subsoiler can cut through. I have a Fred Cain subsoiler and it is stout! Don't buy a cheap Tractor Supply County Line like I did the first time. I bent that pretty bad the first time I used it. It also didn't have a sheer bolt either. You may just need more tractor, but I think if you just take it slow and not take as deep a cut the first time it will pull reasonably sized rocks right up out of the ground. I pull it with an L3540 35 hp and rarely has anything stopped it from pulling through. Roots, rocks or clay.

You can buy the conduit attachment at agri-supply, but if you don't buy their subsoiler with it, it will need to be modified a little

HP
 
Last edited:

Missouribound

Active member

Equipment
B2320, FEL, BOX BLADE, FINISH MOWER, QUICK HITCH
Jun 17, 2014
655
47
28
Missouri
Unless your soil is ideal your BX just may not be enough for you to make this work. You may be able to do it with several passes but it's not a big investment and if you have the time to play with it then give it a try.
If you only have a few projects then you could rent a trencher. They will make it easier and most likely do a better job. If you have re-occurring jobs then make your purchase based on that.
 

rjcorazza

Member

Equipment
L4060 HSTC Loader, ZD326, ZD1211
Mar 9, 2016
778
24
18
Hyattstown, MD
Like HerkyPilot, I have used a subsoiler to trench. Years ago I layed 100 yards of water line in some hard clay, and it went smoothly. I did have to go over it a few times.