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How to choose the right ripper for your tractor
The ripper, also called a subsoiler, is the implement that fixes compacted soil: it breaks it up deep down and lets air and water in, without turning the soil over. To choose one, what matters is tractor power, hitch and working depth.
1. What a ripper is for
It breaks up the plough pan, the hard layer that forms below the surface with repeated machine traffic. It improves drainage, aerates the soil and helps roots grow deeper. It is used on its own, for example on compacted grassland, vineyards and orchards, or before ploughing on the hardest soils.
2. Power and hitch
The light ripper, about 55 kg, works with 12 to 45 hp tractors and a category 1 hitch. The heavy-duty model, about 90 kg, needs 30 to 60 hp and has a category 1 and 2 hitch. Also check the distance between the lower lift arms: about 50–62 cm for the light model and 65–76 cm for the heavy-duty one.
3. Working depth
The light model reaches 50 cm and the heavy-duty model 60 cm. On the light model the shank can be set at two heights. On very hard soils it is best to work in stages: first a shallower pass, then a deeper one.
4. The pipe layer
The pipe layer is a removable attachment fitted behind the shank: as the ripper opens the slot, it lays the pipe in the ground. It is handy for burying irrigation pipes without digging by hand.
5. When to subsoil and safety
Subsoil when the ground is dry, as it fractures better; in wet soil the shank smears instead of breaking. Work in straight lines and lift the ripper before turning at the headland. The rippers in the range are designed for wheeled tractors: for tracked tractors, check compatibility on the product page.
| Type | Tractor power | Maximum depth | Hitch | Weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light ripper | 12–45 hp | 50 cm | Cat. 1 | about 55 kg | Vegetable gardens, orchards, compact tractors such as Kubota, BCS, Pasquali |
| Heavy-duty ripper | 30–60 hp | 60 cm | Cat. 1 and 2 | about 90 kg | Hard soils, vineyards and orchards, tractors up to 60 hp |
What is the difference between a ripper and a plough?
The plough turns the soil over and buries residues and weeds. The ripper breaks up the soil deep down without turning it, keeping the fertile layer on top. They are often used in sequence: first the ripper to break the compacted layer, then the plough or cultivator.
Is the ripper suitable for my tractor?
Yes, if the tractor is wheeled, has 12 to 60 hp and the three-point hitch of the stated category, and the distance between the lower arms falls within the range of the chosen model. These are implements for compact tractors such as Kubota, Iseki, BCS, Valpadana and Carraro, not for high-power farm tractors.
How deep does the ripper work?
Down to 50 cm for the light model and 60 cm for the heavy-duty one. The actual depth depends on the type of soil and the tractor's power.
What is a pipe layer and what is it for?
It is a removable attachment fixed behind the ripper shank: as the shank opens the slot, the pipe layer feeds the pipe into it, leaving it buried. It is useful for irrigation, for example, saving you from digging a trench by hand.
When should you subsoil?
When the soil is compacted or water stands on the surface. It should be done on dry ground, usually in late summer or autumn, and not every year: once every few years is usually enough.
Does the point wear out?
Yes, it is the part that works in contact with soil and stones. It is made of hardened steel and is reversible: when one side is worn you turn it round, and when both are worn you replace it.
Does the ripper also break roots?
Yes, the shank breaks roots in the soil, for example before a new planting. With very large roots or stumps it is best to proceed carefully so as not to overload the tractor and the implement.
Products marked with the Italian flag and the Made in Italy indication are designed and manufactured predominantly in Italy; products without these indications are essentially manufactured abroad.