Legacy and Aftermarket Support for CRC Kelly Rippers

[MikePhua]

The Rise and Fall of CRC Kelly Rippers
CRC Kelly Rippers were once a respected name in the world of heavy-duty dozer attachments, particularly known for their rugged ripper assemblies fitted to Caterpillar D8K and D9H models. These rippers were designed to fracture compacted soil, shale, and rock formations, enabling deeper cuts and better traction for earthmoving operations. The brand was especially popular in North America during the 1970s and 1980s, when mechanical simplicity and brute strength defined ripper design.
Kelly’s ripper teeth—often referred to as “boots” in Australian terminology—were built to withstand high-impact ripping in quarry and mining environments. However, like many specialized manufacturers, CRC Kelly eventually ceased operations, leaving owners to seek aftermarket solutions for replacement parts and maintenance.
Terminology Annotation

• Ripper Shank: The vertical steel arm that holds the ripper tooth and transmits force from the dozer frame.
  
• Boot: A regional term (especially in Australia) for the ripper tooth or tip.
  
• Ground Engaging Tool (GET): Any component that directly contacts soil or rock, including ripper teeth, cutting edges, and bucket tips.
  
• Grouser Bar: A weld-on steel bar used to rebuild worn track grousers or cutting edges.
  

Interchangeability and Tooth Sourcing
Although CRC Kelly is no longer in business, many of their ripper designs used standard tooth profiles compatible with other manufacturers. This means that replacement boots can often be sourced from major GET suppliers such as Caterpillar, Hensley, and Esco. These companies produce a wide range of ripper teeth in various profiles, including single-point, tiger, and chisel styles.
Recommended sourcing strategy:

• Identify the shank size and tooth profile (e.g., Cat D9H-compatible)
  
• Measure pin diameter and tooth pocket dimensions
  
• Cross-reference with aftermarket catalogs for compatible boots
  
• Consider weld-on adapters if original shank is damaged or obsolete
  

In one mining operation in Wyoming, a retired D8K fitted with a CRC Kelly ripper was restored using Esco-style teeth and a custom-fabricated adapter plate. The machine returned to service clearing overburden in a bentonite pit.
Fabrication and Field Repairs
When original parts are unavailable, fabrication becomes a viable solution. Welding replacement tips or modifying shanks to accept modern teeth can extend the life of older ripper assemblies. In Australia, operators often refer to this as “booting the shank,” and use high-strength steel and gouging electrodes to rebuild worn interfaces.
Fabrication tips:

• Use 4140 or equivalent alloy steel for replacement tips
  
• Preheat shank before welding to reduce stress cracking
  
• Grind mating surfaces flat and true before fitting new boots
  
• Use hardfacing rod to reinforce wear zones
  

In a land-clearing crew in Queensland, a Cat D5B with a modified Kelly-style ripper was rebuilt using 25 mm grouser bar welded to the cutting edge. The repair lasted over 1,000 hours in abrasive soil without failure.
Alternative Suppliers and Regional Solutions
In regions like Australia and Ireland, specialist GET suppliers offer custom solutions for legacy equipment. These include:

• Grouser rebuilding kits
  
• Bolt-on and weld-on ripper teeth
  
• Custom shank fabrication
  
• Cutting edge overlays for 4-in-1 buckets
  

Operators in remote areas often rely on local welding shops to fabricate parts using drawings or reverse-engineered samples. In some cases, retired machines are cannibalized for usable components.
Recommended suppliers:

• Cutting Edges Equipment Parts (Australia)
  
• Black Cat Wear Parts (Canada)
  
• Hensley Industries (USA)
  
• Esco Corporation (Global)
  

In a forestry operation in Alaska, a D8K with a CRC Kelly ripper was retrofitted with Hensley teeth after the original boots wore out. The operator reported improved penetration and easier sourcing of replacements.
Preserving Legacy Attachments
While CRC Kelly may no longer manufacture rippers, their legacy lives on through machines still working in the field. Preserving these attachments requires creativity, fabrication skill, and knowledge of GET compatibility. With the right approach, even discontinued tools can remain productive.
Maintenance recommendations:

• Inspect shank welds and tooth pins every 250 hours
  
• Replace boots when tip wear exceeds 50%
  
• Use anti-seize on pin interfaces to ease future removal
  
• Store spare teeth in dry, labeled containers to prevent rust
  

In one restoration project in Illinois, a D9H with a Kelly ripper was restored for historical demonstration. The team sourced boots from a surplus yard and fabricated a new shank using archived blueprints.
Final Thoughts
CRC Kelly Rippers may be a name from the past, but their design philosophy—durable, straightforward, and effective—still resonates. Whether through aftermarket sourcing, fabrication, or regional ingenuity, these tools continue to rip through the earth and earn their place in the legacy of heavy equipment.
In the clash of steel and the fracture of stone, the ripper speaks a language older than the brand itself. And with the right tooth, it still bites deep.