Abstract: Impact rippers are useful for transmitting high impact blows to a hard material for fracturing the material. When linear reciprocating rams are used, a mounting arrangement which will withstand high compressive forces and still allow the ram to reciprocate must be used to mount the ram within a tool holder. The subject impact ripper apparatus includes a tool holder having a cavity for mounting a linear ram. The linear ram is mounted within the cavity by a plurality of laminated pads which withstand compressive force, but still allows the ram to reciprocate. This arrangement which is stiff in compression, but relatively soft in shear.