Red Seal Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer) Practice Exam

Which of the following features can a dozer's ripper attachment provide?

1. Increased speed of earth movement

2. Ability to stabilize the dozer on uneven terrain

3. Enhanced capability to break up compacted soil

4. Functioning as a bulldozing blade

The correct answer is: Enhanced capability to break up compacted soil

The ripper attachment on a dozer is specifically designed to break up compacted soil, making option C the correct choice. This capability is essential for preparing the ground for further work, such as grading or moving soil. When soil becomes compacted, it is often difficult for traditional blades to effectively cut into it, resulting in the need for a specialized tool like the ripper. The ripper's teeth dig into the earth, fracturing it and allowing for easier handling and movement with the dozer afterwards. In contrast, while some features may seem relevant, they do not align with the primary function of a ripper attachment. The increased speed of earth movement is more associated with the blade functions rather than the ripper. Stabilizing the dozer on uneven terrain pertains to the overall design and weight distribution of the machine, not the specific function of the ripper. The ripper does not function as a bulldozing blade; rather, it complements the primary blade by executing a different task focused on soil preparation.