Tiller TR3 Rake and Landscaping question

[blb078]

Been looking at a TR3 rake as I narrow down my tractor search. I've looked all over the net and it seems like most of the info is about using it on arena's and driveways. Which obviously that is a major part of it but I don't care about driveways and arenas since my driveway is concrete and don't have an arena. What I want to know is can it be used effectively in landscaping? Like can it replace a tiller and a landscape rake or any other landscaping attachments. I can't seem to find any info where people are using it for landscaping purposes. I've seen one small video on their site where it looks like they dug up a small food plot or something but I'd like to know how it works on say an acre or two. Would getting a tr3 rake remove the need for a tiller, rake, box blade, land plane or would I still need those items? So anyone have or seen one for landscape purposes and have any thoughts on how well or not it performed?thanks

Brian

 

[JMER817]

I was debating that same thing a few years ago. I just don't think it will perform like you want. I ended up purchasing a Harley rake which cut my prep time to a third.

 

[blb078]

I was debating that same thing a few years ago. I just don't think it will perform like you want. I ended up purchasing a Harley rake which cut my prep time to a third.

Thanks, that's what I've been curious about the thing not even the manufacture shows much landscape work with it but they say it's great for that but I can't get any videos of anyone doing much landscaping with it.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks, that's what I've been curious about the thing not even the manufacture shows much landscape work with it but they say it's great for that but I can't get any videos of anyone doing much landscaping with it.

It would help with smoothing similar to other finishing tools but is not going to replace a tiller, box blade or land plane grader scraper. If it would replace these other implements you would see a lot more of them. A cheap and simple pine straw rake ($500 or less) is good for smoothing and covering seeds and other minor raking tasks. I get a lot of use out of these for the money.

 

[em14]

I have a TR-3 and it does exactly what the Manufacturer claims and it does it well. BUT It now resides under an Oak Tree and has only been used once or twice. It is to slow on my drive way due in part to a very small blade. My Box Blade is by far better for my use than a TR-3. The TR-3 is well made and is great for Arenas I'm sure as it does a wonderful job smoothing and leveling as long as you don't have large wash outs!
Leo

 

[TractorGuy]

This video seems to cover everything.
TR3 Rake Tractor Rake - One Tool Does It All - YouTube

I'm leery of a company that won't post it's price without filling out a contact form though. The old school of thought on that is if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

 

[adventure bob]

I have an 8 ft and it does severely rutted and washed out really well. It will not replace a tiller though.
It will not replace a landscape rake for clearing debris like sticks and stuff.
It will replace a box blade and a land plane. It will level and grade extremely well. I cant mine about 5deg over to put a perfect crown on a 1000 foot steep driveway.
You don't see a lot of them outside of the horse community cause they aint cheap. However they are built like a tank. You will never bend or break one except for the wheels maybe. If you do they'll warranty it. If you get one as wide as your tractor and drop the tines you'd better have the HP to pull it cause it will drag 6 tines 10-12 inches deep. I have had to use the tines a couple of times to break up really rutted stuff.
And I do use it for landscaping. Just terraced about an acre around the house to get the water to run away from the house instead of to it. Used the bucket to get the bulk of the dirt out, and then leveled it with the TR3.

 

[blb078]

This video seems to cover everything.
TR3 Rake Tractor Rake - One Tool Does It All - YouTube

I'm leery of a company that won't post it's price without filling out a contact form though. The old school of thought on that is if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Thanks, I saw that. It still doesn't give you a good showing of how it would do in landscaping. I almost thing I would be better off w/a box blade and landscape rake at a fraction of the cost.

 

[JMER817]

Nice tool for the horse industry. I just don't see it outperforming a Harley rake for landscaping. Video shows nice topsoil being leveled. Throw some stones / rocks into the mix and debris left over from the builder, a 2' dia rock hidden an inch under ground. Can't windrow debris neither.

 

[adventure bob]

Um I can pull six inches of soil off the top without putting down the tines. And rocks don't bother it at all. I managed to accidentally find and pull the concrete fence post bases a previous owner had buried while leveling ground.
Strange JMER I don't see your tr3 in your pic of your tractor...