Rake Need Help with Harley Rake!!!!

[stonebase]

I am attempting to prepare the ground (see attachment) around our new house for seeding. This morning my local tool rental yard delivered a 6 foot Harley Rake for my use.

Well the landscapers worst nightmare occurred-----rain!!!!! Its kinda long story as I have a very narrow window of time to complete this task (ie. I'm on vacation this week, Wednesday/Thursday are the only days I will be free to do this, etc.) What do I do now? How wet or saturated can the soil be in order for this implement to be effective?

I did manage to get it hooked up properly before the rains came as I made a mad dash for the barn. Once I do get it operational, the guy said to run it in low gear at the highest RPM as I would run my rear finish mower. How do I get started though? Do I rev it up and just lower it and take off? Or do I lower the 3pt hitch at a slower RPM and build up the revs as I move forward?

The rental guy did not get here till noon so he gave me an extra half day at no charge, hopefully the weather will improve over the next 24 hours and I'll be able to finish.

John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> "The rental guy did not get here till noon so he gave me an extra half day at no charge, hopefully the weather will improve over the next 24 hours and I'll be able to finish." </font>

If the weather doesn't improve for you I'd sure make it a point to tell the rental guy that the half day he was late was a good, dry half day and see if you can't get more of an allowance if you need it.

 

[beenthere]

Know your dilema, as I helped my son (attached) on his lawn when it seemed 'too wet' but our time frame was getting narrower by the minute. As you can see the mud was picking up on the tires, but we started to see what would happen. Amazing that the Harley rake actually did quite well, and it helped the drying time.

You can start it by engaging the PTO much easier than the rear mower (less mass to engage) and go at whatever RPM feels good. Just set the gauge wheels to go at the depth you want, and watch that it keeps a mound of dirt ahead of the drum. You can not do anything wrong, that cannot be re-done so not much to worry about. We angled to windrow the dirt back up the slope where some of it had washed down, so started low and went to the high ground.
Hope the pic helps.

 

[stonebase]

Thanks beenthere,

That makes me feel a little better about the situation. As of 5pm the sun has finally shone and there is a nice breeze kicking about. This should promote some moderate drying so I can get started first thing in the morning. Forecast here calls for a clear morning and afternoon then showers in the late afternoon. I guess I have my work cut out for me.

Thanks again,

John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[beenthere]

I would give it a shot yet this evening, and if it goes well, burn some midnight oil. Make a few passes tonight and maybe that will speed the drying up so second passes in the morning will finisht the job early, or at least before more rain.

Hope it works well for you.

 

[stonebase]

Yea,

I'm goin' to give it a try tonight. Things are drying out. I guess that's why they put the headlights on the Kubota I got. I'll update in the morning.

John

 

[wahoo]

John,
Where is your local rental yard? Also how much do they charge per day? I am looking at a lawn rehab later this year and am considering a Harley.

 

[NIXON]

John . I'd also like to Ditto Bill's (wahoo's) question !
Also , what You thought of the way it performed . John

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> Also , what You thought of the way it performed . </font>

...and photos of the project too! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

By the way, I'd offer to come over and help with the yard before the rain hits again, but I haven't mowed at my house for a week and a half /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif and I have to work all weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[stonebase]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> John . I'd also like to Ditto Bill's (wahoo's) question !
Also , what You thought of the way it performed . John </font> )</font>

I rented it at Handyman Tool Rental in West Middlesex Pa. It ran $120/day and a $20 delivery fee to my driveway. I actually got started tonight after dinner. It was crazy, sunshine, rain, rainbows, etc.. Anyway, in the 2 hours I ran it till darkness set in I got my whole front yard done (I still have to pick up some rock piles) This machine is incredible, worth every penny, makes even a novice tractor operator like myself look like a pro. I'll be posting some pictures in some subsequent posts.

John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif