Often used in quarries to loosen compact layers of gravels and break weak rock to allow motor scrapers or excavators to load it easily or prior to bulldozing to expose coal seams in open cast mining. For very hard material an impact ripper is used. Often used were blasting is not permitted due to noise or dust restrictions. not all types of ground can be ripped. Ripper bars often have several tools fitted, but if the ground is very hard some legs are removed to reduce the load on the machine and increase the power at the tip of the tool.