First use of ratchet rake

[aerojunkie]

I had to share my thoughts on my ratchet rake a little bit, after all its this site that helped me spend the money on it.lol. Just got it today, first impression is holy crap this thing is heavy made but something so simple cost that much? So I went to using it, first 10mins I was a little skeptical. But once I got the hang of it.........this thing is simply awesome! In about 20 minutes I had a pile of brush that wouldnt fit in the back of a 1/2 ton long bed truck, and that was with a beer in one hand just playing around. You cant dig with it......but you can certainly grade off an inch or two if you want. Just push forward and adjust how aggressive the cut is with the bucket angle, the teeth on the bottom limit the depth. Really an excellent tool and leaves a very nice clean patch of dirt when done. Its funny at first I was afraid I messed up buying it, but now if I managed to somehow break this one I'd have another ordered within the hour.

 

[jeff9366]

You may have read this:

6/09/2016​

This post concerns Ratchet Rakes Vs. light Box Blades, such as the 60" Land Pride BB1260/346 pounds/69 pounds per foot.

I searched for the weight of kubota L3301 bucket but could not find a number. I presume L3301 bucket weighs approximately 240 pounds, extrapolating from other kubota specs. 68" Ratchet Rake weighs 88 pounds. Adding 240 + 88 = 328 pounds, pretty close to 346 pounds of BB1260 Box Blade.

In addition, the (operator controlled) weight of the FEL frame bears on the Ratchet Rake. Likewise, weight of the Three Point Hitch bears on the Box Blade. FEL frames weigh much more than ( 3X? 4X?) Three Point Hitch components. So, including some FEL weight, I guesstimate that ground contact pressure on Ratchet Rake and BB1260 would be at least equal, perhaps greater pressure on the Ratchet Rake.

Further in Ratchet Rake's favor you have articulation of bucket/RR combination in two planes from the operator's station and 1-1/2" serrated teeth on the Ratchet Rake.

Box Blade can be raised and lowered hydraulically from the operator's station. Box Blade angle of attack is adjustable via the Three Point Hitch Top Link, but not from the operator's station. Standard Box Blade does not have rippers, standard is a smooth cutting edge.

Ratchet Rake is capable of tearing up sod with its serrated teeth, the initial operation in much grading. The Ratchet Rake will not pull as large a load as a Box Blade but it may pull 35% of capacity of BB1260 per pass, with faster cycles. Ratchet Rake is more intuitive in operation than a Box Blade, which requires considerable experience to operate efficiently.

This is why I feel the Ratchet Rake is superior to light Box Blades for LIGHT grading.

I own both a Ratchet Rake and a Rollover Box Blade.

When I have heavy grading to do, I mount my 60"/625 pound (125 pounds per foot) Bush Hog (brand) Rollover Box Blade on the tractor's Three Point Hitch AND the Ratchet Rake on my FEL bucket.

 

[rekees4300]

Just got it today

Congrats and welcome to the TBN Rachet Rake Club :thumbsup:

 

[ThirdMan]

My ratchet rake was delivered on Saturday. I have not had the time to put it on yet, but am hopeful about tomorrow. Your post has made me more excited about cleaning up the debris left from lots of honeysuckle and small trees that I had shredded by a skid steer least year.

 

[jeff9366]

MORE: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/375397-ratchet-rake-today.html?highlight=

 

[truckinfouble]

And I got my 72" forestry setup yesterday lol. They are making good sales off us lately haha

 

[aerojunkie]

I think we should get a owners hat or something with this many sales.lol. The more I use it......the more I like it. I have found my first problem(chance to spend money) with my rake.......getting that pile of stuff moved. My first thought was my pallet forks, but most stuff falls through when you scrape up even small things like this thing does. My second thought was to lay a sheet of plywood down on the ground like a dustpan of sorts and use the ratchet rake as a broom, them lift that with the forks and secure it with a chain so I could dump it and then repeat the process. Only problem is the pile gets to be big kinda quick so would be a lot of dumping but its the only one that will get everything down to the little sticks and small rocks. I have seen debris forks used and like the idea of a grapple if thats the best thing to use but just curious what everyone is using for the aftermath of these things.

 

[jeff9366]

I have clamp-on aluminum Debris Forks by Hayne's but find the blunt forks of the attachment tend to push piled brush in front of the attachment, unless brush is against a tree, or pick up quite a lot of dirt with the brush. So, a little more hand loading of debris on to the forks than I anticipated.

When I sold my Kubota B3300SU tractor-loader in favor of heavy chassis L3560 I kept the Debris Forks. Hayne's Debris Forks have served equally well on the heavier tractor.

Never a question concerning strength of the forks nor solidity of mount on bucket.

Had I a chance to choose over I would test a set of pointed Ultra Forks:
Multi-Spear Ultra Fork

Nice feature of both Debris Forks and Ratchet Rake is minimum storage space required when not mounted.

 

[DaveNJ]

That rachet rake is the biggest bang for the buck of any implement I've ever bought.

 

[Steave]

Once I rake up a big enough pile I grapple it up and go.