Front end loader retractable attachment

Abstract

An attachment for a front end loader that provides a method and apparatus for ripping solid ground that includes a hollow tube mounted between the arms of a front end loader directly behind the bucket. The hollow tube is slidably mounted on a solid shaft. Closely machined bushings are welded and braced on support brackets on the inside bottom surface of the arms of the loader. These closely machined bushings are adapted to receive the shaft which extends from the ends of the hollow tube. Ripper brackets are welded to the exterior surface of the hollow tube. On the end of each ripper bracket are mounted ripper teeth in a manner such that the pointed ends of the teeth are pointing towards the rear of the front end loader. Connecting rods are attached to both the hollow tube and the loader bucket. When the bucket is tilted toward the operator the hollow tube rotates downward to a ripping position. When the bucket is leveled the hollow tube rotates upward lifting the ripping teeth up and away from the ground surface. Braces are fixed to the hollow tube and blocks are mounted on the brackets to receive the strain of a ripping operation. To begin a ripping operation, the operator tilts the bucket toward the operator, rotating the ripping teeth downward and backs up. To cease a ripping operation, the operator stops and tilts the bucket downward away from the operator to a level position.