Rake Picking rocks vs sifting

[kubotanewbie]

I need to pick small & medium sized rocks from about 30,000 sqft of tilled area. I already hand picked all I could see (the size of a fist and bigger).

The reason I'm doing this is to de-rock the area so I can use reel mower on some nice seashore grass without having the rocks dull the blades.

I'm considering buying a rake attachment for my tractor and wanted to ask if there is a better way to accomplish this "de-rocking" task.

Is there a rock sifting attachment that would pick up the soil and sift it, letting it fall back down while keeping all the rocks in some net?

Thanks!

[StanR]

Maybe a rock bucket...

[Piston]

Have you thought about renting a power rake?

[20 20]

power rake or as you mentioned york/landscape rake

[jenkinsph]

After tilling I use a rock bucket to gather all the large rock as best I can. I would then agree with others to use a power rake to windrow the smaller rocks. Still leaves a lot of hand work gathering these windrows but is the best way I have found. Power rakes are expensive so you really should consider renting if this is all you need it for. Depending on where you live it may be hard to find one for rent. Where are you located?

[kubotanewbie]

Hawaii - no renting of tractor attachments here (as far as I know)

I buy my attachments online and then pay through the roof for shipping. Oh well, not complaining ...

I looked up power rake and found this [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-J2lNhGt2I"]video[/ame]. Nice. I undrestand now this is called "Harley Rake". They are way too expensive though ($4k+)

Someone commented under that video that a weekend rental is $500.

I'm leaning towards buying one of the rake attachments here. The 60" probably.

The tines are 1" apart, so it should pick most of what I need and it looks sturdy enough, so it shouldn't bent easily.

Thoughts?

[jenkinsph]

Ted makes some nice attachments such as this landscape rake it looks good. I have a similar landscape rake 7' and a smaller 5' Frontier, these can help but are not nearly as effective as the Harley rake. The Harley rake will be much more effective at windrowing the rock while leaving the fines behind.

With your living in Hawaii I would try to find someone in the landscape business and hire out the rock removal. Reasoning this is a one time need for costly equipment.

[Haoleguy]

With your living in Hawaii I would try to find someone in the landscape business and hire out the rock removal. Reasoning this is a one time need for costly equipment.

Bingo ! Totally agree with this suggestion. If you find landscapers are pricey try a CSA farm in Hawai'i that might be willing to do the work.....Aloha, Gary

[Piston]

Jenkins,
How good does the rock rake work?

[Jay4200]

I need to pick small & medium sized rocks from about 30,000 sqft of tilled area. I already hand picked all I could see (the size of a fist and bigger).

The reason I'm doing this is to de-rock the area so I can use reel mower on some nice seashore grass without having the rocks dull the blades.

I did this same thing two summers ago while turning a 3/4 acre gravel pit into a lawn. Your best bet is a garden rake, a garden hoe, and a wife. Even better is a couple of garden hoes and a couple of kids (and a wife with rake to supervise). Get them picking and raking into piles, then drive around and gather with your loader. They'll get it knocked out in a day. Seriously.

JayC