Ratchet Rake Scraping Up Around Flatwoods Plum Tree (Florida)

[jeff9366]

I live beside the Florida Nature Coast Trail, which along its 27 mile length passes through Fanning Springs.

During February the trail authority 'hogged along the trail margins but tagged a few trees for preservation.

One tree saved is a Florida native Flatwood Plum immediately outside the trail access gate from my community, Riverwalk.

Though preserved, the Plum was chock-a-block full of various vines including wild grape, wild rose and smilax.

Yesterday I got to work with 36" loppers, cut the vines and pulled them out of the Plum, then I ran 48" King Kutter Rotary Cutter around the trunk.

I wish I had taken a picture. I had two trailer loads of debris, which went to the burn pile.

This morning I put the Ratchet Rake on the bucket of my Kubota B3300SU / 33-hp / 1,900 pounds / 4-WD.

Went out through the 7' access gate to the trail and scored up the vegetation under the tree.

Photo #1 + #2 +#3 Before.

Photo #4 After.

Photo #5 Some of the vines roots and corms pulled out and raked up with the Ratchet Rake.

When residual vines come up I will hit them repeatedly with Glycophosphate until they are dead. Probably four applications.

Then I will mount the Wallenstein BX42 PTO chipper and blow 6" of oak chips around the Plum.

A beautiful morning on the tractor.

A HAPPY FLATWOOD PLUM.

 

[jeff9366]

It is a beautiful day in North Florida.

I mounted the Wallenstein BX42 PTO Chipper in the 3-Pt. and chipped mulch around the Flatwoods Plum.

Nature Coast State Trail: Asphalt walking/cylcling surface on left; ; natural Equestrian Path on right.

 

[motocephalic]

looks like your having fun

 

[kartingdad]

Question on your ratchet rake, what are the leg sizes 4", 5", 6"? How deep are the teeth and how thick of steel is it? I am trying to get one ordered to my local TSC, but having troubles doing it. Thanks Don

 

[jeff9366]

I bought the shortest one: 52" to go on my 57" bucket. Also 68" and 72" in width.

Horizontal teeth 4.75", vertical teeth 2", 1/2" thick, 60 pounds, plus.

You won't bend this puppy.

I paid $299/52". No sales tax on ag nor forestry equipment in Florida.

The Ratchet Rake, 68 in. - Tractor Supply Online Store

http://www.ratchetrake.com

 

[nybirdman]

Be carefull with the glyphosphate around that tree.....you may kill it.

 

[jeff9366]

Four years have passed. The wild Plum appreciates the TLC in 2013.

 

[RidgeHiker]

How would the RR do for pine needles, limbs, twigs, etc.? Do you generally push or pull when raking debris? In float for the kind of debris in the photos?
Thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

Good for collecting debris it can grab, i.e. limbs, twigs, vines. No good for pine straw unless 1"+ accumulation, when it could collect most but not all.

About 70% pull, operating the tractor in reverse, 30% pushing with the tractor operating forward.

I never operate the FEL/RR combination in float. I continually make small adjustments with the FEL joystick to maintain Ratchet Rake contact on debris.


(( Have you researched Three Point Hitch mounted "Pine Straw Rakes"? ))

 

[RidgeHiker]

Thanks for the feedback Jeff. Very helpful.
Richard