Rake Landscape rake size help

[Bob_S]

I wish to purchase a rake and need some help. I have a 5 foot wide tractor (4310) and I not sure if I should go with a 5 or 6(+) foot rake. I dont mind the extra job time the 5 foot rake would cause. The only reason I am considering a 5 is so I can do tigher arears, paths, etc. Is a 5 foot rake just to small for a 5 foot wide tractor? Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[thcri]

Bob,

I believe you will want one that is wider than your tires. Otherwise you will leave marks from your tires. Check the width of your back tires, I would add a good 6" for each side and that is the one I would go with. Your tractor will handle the 6' easily

Just my 2 cents for whatever they are worth.

murph

 

[markie61]

6' allows you to cover your tire tracks while it is angled, which apparently is a common practice. Same with back blades, which are often angled.
Mark

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">I have a 5 foot wide tractor (4310) and I not sure if I should go with a 5 or 6(+) foot rake... </font>

Hi Bob,

I'd get a 7' or a minimum of 6' for your tractor... (you're only talking maybe ~~$20-30 per foot difference) In many cases, you'll have the rake at an angle to disperse the debris off the end... so in this case it will have to be "longer" than the "width' of the tractor to make up the angle loss...

I used a 7' rake on my little 22 1/2 PTO hp Satoh and it works the nuts... so your 4310 will certainly not have any difficulty...

A 5' is just way too small and for a only few dollars more I believe you'd be much happier with "longer"... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JRS]

I have a 6 foot rake for my 4310. I'm glad I didn't go with a five foot. The 6' is perfect for my use. Covers the tracks, ability to angle and still gets into tight places when I need to.

 

[gerard]

I have a 6 footer and HAVE used an 8 footer without a problem on a 2500DT (25hp). In your case I'd go with the 7 foot minimum and you could even consider an 8 foot.

 

[OkieNCognito]

Bob, I just purchased a 6ft King Kutter yesterday to use behind my 28 hp Mahindra, which is 5ft wide. I have some areas pretty dense with trees and did have to watch for the extra width but it really wasn't a problem after a few scrapes. I had more trouble wanting to turn too quick and hooking it behind a tree. The rake extends behind the tractor quite a bit farther than a box blade - it's more like pulling a brush hog than a box blade.

 

[StanInCalif]

Bob, I think a 6' is best for what you're doing; for me (same tractor) a 7' would be better. According to my calcs, a 6' won't quite cover a 4310's tracks at 45 degrees. If you get a 5', you'll probably end up looking for someone with a sub compact to peddle it to. Another thing is- John Miller III is always right- he makes even fewer mistakes than I do /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif BTW- John, I'm thinking, if you have a tilt cylinder, you're better off with a single gauge wheel, rather than two- waddaya think?

 

[bnixon]

OkieNCognito,

How much did you give for your king kutter?

thanks,
Brandon

 

[OkieNCognito]

<font color="blue">How much did you give for your king kutter?

</font>

I gave $319 for the King Kutter 72 in. rake. Atwoods (a farm supply chain mostly in Okla.) had them on sale last week - normally they sell them for around $340.