I contacted the manufacturer before buying Rip and Dig because I wasn't sure how effective it would be with my Massey GC1705. They cautioned it was designed for skid loaders and higher horsepower tractors. After some consideration, I bought it anyway because I could see the potential with my rock wall project.
The thing arrived and after explaining to the curious FedEx driver what it was, I hooked it up. I have been using it routinely for 7 months or so now and can say it handled all the advertised chores. Now, it may be that I have to work my tractor a little harder than someone with a skid steer but it still gets the job done.
The most important thing I need the Rip and Dig for is the rock wall I am building. Between my property and the neighbors, I have a near unlimited supply of boulders if one is willing to fight their way through the buck thorn and vines to get to them. First, I use the rip and dig to treat the buck thorn, roots and all, and push these into a future burn pile. Then I use it to dig the boulders out of the ground and carry them to my staging area. The narrow width of the device makes it ideal as the boulders aren't always available in a 4-foot opening :)
Now, for the real advantage: placing the boulders in the wall. The device is just the right width for dropping a boulder into a tight spot and also provides the extension needed to reach out or up as you will need to do to as the wall gets higher. You can also precisely
scoop and deliver back fill behind the boulders as you go. I love it!
