Rake Landscape rakes

[HalseyGreen]

I have been looking at landscape rakes for my JD790, they seem to be available in price from $250 to well over $700 for a 6-7 foot models. There does seem to be greater strength in the design as the price increases, but since they are not usually ground engaging, and the tines do flex, does strength add much value to the product? I plan on using it to gather up leaves, small brush and sticks that is left over from my woods clearing project, and final raking prior to grass seeding. I do know that strength makes a difference in box blades and rear blades, but not sure here. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[CVHoss]

Halsey,
A bit further down the page, I had a thread about the cost of a Land Pride rake. You can view the responses here. I haven't purchased a rake yet, but would have except that both my local Tractor Supply and Atwoods are out of the King Kutter rakes. When they get them in, that's what I'll buy. My uses would much like yours, mainly to stir the ground after applying grass seed to cover the seed. I don't mind spending money if I'm gaining something by the expense but, like you, I don't see where there can be enough difference in the units to justify one unit being $300.00 and another being $800.00+. I've checked specs on every unit I can find specs for and they are almost identical. On a 6' rake, weights usually vary by less than 40#, the tooth size is the same, the tooth spacing is the same and the overall number of teeth is the same. The LP has a nicer, cleaner looking hitch frame than the KK, but looking at the gussets and reinforcing on the KK, I can't say that one would be stronger than the other, just different. Besides that, I have a torch, plasma cutter, a mig welder and can purchase 2 X 2 X 3/16 square tubing for just over $2.00 a foot. If necessary, I could completely rebuild the KK hitch for $50.00.

Hoss

 

[RichS]

I think some of the additional cost is in the tine strength. Some of the lesser quality tines will break or bend much easier than the higher priced rakes.
Another difference that I saw was the method for attaching the tines to the frame. Some have a single bar holding the tines in, while others have a slot in the frame for the tine to go through and bar/bolt for every two tines. This keeps the tines evenly spaces and not riding on each other after hitting something pretty hard.

Rich S.

 

[Youare]

A couple of years ago I looked at rakes. The local Landpride dealer wanted somewhere around $600.00 for a 6 foot rake, nothing special. I checked the prices for York rakes and found the top of the line models went for well over $1,200.00. I found out York makes a ligther version similar to the Landpride. I asked about used rakes and was able to get a demo rake that sat out durning the winter so the paint was a little dull for a very reasonable price. The tines and support structure on some of the less expensive rakes did not look as sturdy as the Landpride or York rakes do. I have used mine quite a bit, works just fine.

Randy

 

[JackIL]

In my experience landscape rakes just don't work well unless equipped with castering gauge wheels near each end. I would select a model that has adjustable wheels as an accessory or plan on fabricating them yourself. Otherwise you will find it a very frustrating implement to use.

 

[RobS]

HG, I've got a 6' King Kutter rake and it seems to work well behind my 790. I don't use it a lot but for seedbed prep, light grading and raking in seed it's just the ticket /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RichZ]

Halsey, I have a Worksaver 6 foot rake, which appears to be identical to the King Kutter. I use it for raking my driveway after heavy rains, pulling out large weeds from my horse pastures and general debris raking. When I use it on my driveway, I'm raking into very hard soil with alot of large rocks, and it does real well. I don't have the wheels and have never seen a need for them. For your intended use, the King Kutter will be fine.

Rich

 

[Boondox]

I have a King Kutter for my L3010. Under most conditions I love the wheel option, but I dislike the way the wheels are mounted on the ends of the rake. If I angle the rake to one side or the other, the wheel booms stick out so far I can't get close to walls, trees, etc. Thinking of just taking them off completely.

Pete

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