Which Landscape Rake for rocks and why?

[TJB63]

Dex ~ Post back on how well that works, I'm facing a similar problem and thought of going this route too, I'd just like to get the Mower Busters up, but hopefully without tearing up too much grass. I might be expecting too much though.

TJ

 

[jenkinsph]

Dex ~ Post back on how well that works, I'm facing a similar problem and thought of going this route too, I'd just like to get the Mower Busters up, but hopefully without tearing up too much grass. I might be expecting too much though.

TJ

It has been my experience that the grass is easier to replace than the mower decks.

 

[dex3361]

dex3361, I'd get the big stuff off then use a landscape rake with every other tine removed then I'd use the rake with every tine in. I think most rakes are pretty much the same just some cost more than others. Make sure you get gauge wheels. Like jenkinsph stated the smaller stone will just pack in don't need to worry about those. If you seem to be getting too much dirt in a pass just drag the pile back the other way again with the tines a bit further off the ground.

Took your advice and took every other tine out ( it was only 9 bolts to make tine removal or addition adjustments and took about 15 min). This worked pretty good. Here are the pics before I started using the half tined rake. I used the grapple first on the larger rocks. The ground is very loose from the grapple and box blade.

 

[Gizmo2]

And now for the after pictures.............
My wife is like a God using a landscape, probably because she has more patience than I do. Just sayin.

 

[crazyal]

I pull a home made drag up and down the driveway. it works very well for how simple it is. The problem is it leaves behind rocks in the 3" range, a little on the large size for a car. I've looked at the TSC rake a couple of times and just haven't pulled the trigger (I keep hoping to find a Craig's list gem for cheaper). I'm looking forward to seeing how well it does.

 

[dex3361]

I ran out before Church and took some pics of the piles of rocks that I pulled together yesterday evening. I will scoop these up and dump them in a washed out area of the creek crick, or stream (pick your term) Where I am making a very small water fall. I will then add the removed tines back onto the rake and go over it again. This has been the most rock filled mess I have dealt with. It all started with the barn being an eyesore.

 

[new jersey mike]

I recently posted about my decision to purchase a grapple and I decided on the R.H. LONG OBG2 for my NH T1530 45hp.

It was the best decision I had ever made after deciding to by a tractor. I have been working with it since the july 4 weekend I have moved large piles of brush, logs of increasing size and rocks and boulders. I ordered the grapple with the additional bars added to the bottom and back so I could use it as a rock and stone bucket.

There is no 1 perfect grapple since all the jobs are very specific but I feel this strong product, 56" size and added metal will meet all of my needs.

I also used it to clear a road. I had to walk with a chain saw and precut the area but after that I pushed, picked up and bullied my way through and in 2-3 hours cleared a level 200ft long x 10 woodland road.

So back to the original question of rocks and boulders a grapple is the way to go.

Now I will say that brush hogging HEAVY overgrown areas are still best done with my 72" bucket attached pushing all the growth down ahead of the tractor. The grapple is narrower then the read wheel base and mower and I started to get caught on large saplings. Also the tines on the front of the grapple would catch brush and start to pull it out vs pressing it down with the lowered, up tilted bucket.

I have tried to attach some pics and this was just my 1st and 2nd weekend learning how to use it.

 

[dex3361]

I recently posted about my decision to purchase a grapple and I decided on the R.H. LONG OBG2 for my NH T1530 45hp.

It was the best decision I had ever made after deciding to by a tractor. I have been working with it since the july 4 weekend I have moved large piles of brush, logs of increasing size and rocks and boulders. I ordered the grapple with the additional bars added to the bottom and back so I could use it as a rock and stone bucket.

There is no 1 perfect grapple since all the jobs are very specific but I feel this strong product, 56" size and added metal will meet all of my needs.

I also used it to clear a road. I had to walk with a chain saw and precut the area but after that I pushed, picked up and bullied my way through and in 2-3 hours cleared a level 200ft long x 10 woodland road.

So back to the original question of rocks and boulders a grapple is the way to go.

Now I will say that brush hogging HEAVY overgrown areas are still best done with my 72" bucket attached pushing all the growth down ahead of the tractor. The grapple is narrower then the read wheel base and mower and I started to get caught on large saplings. Also the tines on the front of the grapple would catch brush and start to pull it out vs pressing it down with the lowered, up tilted bucket.

I have tried to attach some pics and this was just my 1st and 2nd weekend learning how to use it.

new jersey mike that is a nice looking grapple. I have a grapple rake where the lower tines are shorter and the top is able to tilt over and rake back into a pile. They all shine in their specific tasks. Nice looking work.:thumbsup:

 

[Piston]

Mike,
That is a nice looking setup. I have the same model grapple and absolutely love it. Mine is the 64" model. Do you happen to know what size steel they put in between the main tines? I want to add that to mine, I didn't have it done when I bought it but wish I did.

 

[dex3361]

Well I was looking at the rake last night and noticed that the brand new TSC CountyLine rake is bent. The main beam is twisted. It is made of C channel and not made heavy enough. I used it less than 3 times and wasn't abusing it. Took it back to Tractor Supply. They didn't give me any hassle and that is one thing I do like about TSC. Oh well looks like I will be looking for another brand that is made stronger.