Ripper/3 pt for my 350

[Rick Kr]

Its getting warm and starting to think through my summer dozer projects.

I am planning on expanding my pond this year. I want to scrape the top soil off and save for later. Then excavate out the the clay.
I have cut sod before with my 350, but I think doing a 150' x 150' area might be a little too hard on the dozer without breaking it up first.

I was thinking of a couple of options for tearing up the top soil.
1. 16 inch rippers (sub-soiler)
2. plow
or find a ripper/3 pt set up for the dozer.

My gut feel says plow or sub-soil with the tractor since I already own the equip, and not spend time/money on a ripper for the dozer.
Plus I can cover the ground a lot faster on the tractor. Then pile the top soil with the dozer.

Am I thinking right here?

Rick

[digitup2]

I have done it before on heavy well established sod works great I have an old 8 furrow disk plow that is large and heavy.Roll it over once and it breaks up real nice with the blade . Saves time and fuel and you need time on your side with a little 350 dozer .Digitup.

[vestor_guy]

A ripper on a 350 is not a very efficient method of loosening the soil. It will help if the soil is VERY hard where other methods wont work.

I use an ag tractor and disc to loosen. A 350 will not do much digging and pushing at the same time. You can disk 4 to 5 inches and the 350 will push loose dirt quite well. Just remember to steer with the blade tilt and not with the clutches to be most efficient.