Rake Harley Rakes

[JMAC]

Does the Harley rake do the same thing as a tiller but better, faster and easier? Can you do everything with a Harley that you can with a tiller for garden work?
What I am doing is clearing out a lot of trees with my bh, but not all of the trees, which leaves a lot of the roots and it also leaves a lot of sandstone rocks in the refilled holes. I am wanting to level the ground and replant with grass. I know that the Harley is a lot higher price than a tiller but if it can make the job a lot easier then that can help me justify it. I have cleared out a area approx. 100' x 300' already and I have 30 acres which I will continue to work on.

JMAC

 

[JATO_RaT]

The Harley rake is not nearly the same as a tiller. It's maximum "till" depth is very slight. I would prefer to use my rippers on a box scrapper to remove or uncover roots, rocks etc. The boxscrapper will leave behind a debris field with lots of clods. The Harley rake not only does a great job of collecting the debris be it rock, roots or what have you by winrowing it, but also does a beautiful job of pulverizing the clumps and perhaps, it's true beauty and that is the tremendous job it does of grading. The tiller has its place, but if I had to have one or the other, I'd take a Harley and either use a Kelley ripper or my box blade rippers followed with the Harley. If your doing gardens, clean areas, etc., a tiller may be the best choice at 1/4 the price for a good tiller over a 6' Harley. Check the photo's section, theres a picture of a Harley and some of the results by Rowski. Rat...

 

[MLB]

How exactly does a Harley operate? I've never heard what they actually do? Just lots of kudos about the results. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

There are basically 2 types of rakes from Harley. The newest type uses a roller which is simply about a 5" dia pipe with carbide studs attached all around it. Above the roller is a tough rubber/plastic material which can be adjusted closer to the carbide teeth to allow larger or smaller material to pass by the roller as its spinning. The carbide roller is driven by a chain to spin in a reverse direction of the tractors forward travel which is how it manages to kick up the rocks, and other debris. Rocks laying on the ground, even small boulders will be kicked. You have the ability to angle the rake left or right to allow the debris to be winrowed to the desired side. Each pass you can continue to winrow the previous row over until you have a pile that can be loaded in the bucket.
Running the roller over a surface be it exisiting grass, dirt clods, debris riddled area etc., accomplishes several things. You push all or much of the debris to a row while leaving fine pulverized clean dirt and you level the area beautifully since any high spots are taken down quickly by the roller and teeth. The resulting pattern created by the rollers teeth also make a great seedbed since the dimpled surface helps hold the seed and mositure. Check them out and even ask for a free video. I think the site is glenmac.com or glenmacharley.com, Rat

 

[JMAC]

Rat, Thanks for the info it sounds like I could use both but that is out of the question. I will probally use the bb and landscape rake that I already have and get a good tiller. What I am working on now is around my pond so it really doesn't have to be perfectly flat.
JMAC

 

[littlediesel]

I just purchased a Harley rake and have not had the chance to used it yet. I still have my 6' Woods york rake, do you guys think there is still a need for a york rake if you have a Harley rake?

Thanks, Jon /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

What, just like that you have a Harley rake! Wow, the York rake going to be like digging with a pick after using a backhoe. I should think the York rake might make a great exhibit for the museum. Did you get the T-6? Rat...