A vehicle ripping mechanism and method has a support frame mountable to the vehicle and movable between raised and lowered positions. A ripping member has an engagement head that is configured for plowing the ground and is pivotally supported on the support frame about a ripping member pivot axis that is preferably positioned such that pivoting of the ripping member displaces the engagement head largely longitudinally. A vibrator mechanism is mounted to the ripping member. Activation of the vibrator mechanism causes reciprocating pivoting movement of the ripping member. A tilt adjustment cylinder is connected to the support frame that is adjustable in length to alter an orientation of the ripping member. A control system includes a pressure sensor fluidically connected to the tilt adjustment cylinder, wherein the control system is configured to deactivate the vibrator mechanism based at least in part on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.
