The ripper is the long claw-like device on the back of the bulldozer. Rippers can come as a single (single shank/giant ripper) or in groups of two or more (multi shank rippers).Used to tear up packed earth, paved surfaces, frozen ground, and similarly impenetrable surfaces, a ripper is essentially a large talon mounted to the back of the bulldozer. They are widely used among agricultural and construction applications. Depending on your needs, rippers include 1 to 3 shanks with a common digging depth of 13 inches and are typically manufactured from high strength alloy steel. It's worth noting that single shanks often provide a deeper digging depth than multi-shank models.