Help with my next attachment

[canoetrpr]

I've been thinking about adding another attachment to my arsenal. The catch is that I probably will only be able to buy one more attachment for a while so I want to make the best decision.

So far I have - 5ft woods bb60 bush hog, snowblower, 8.5 ft chain harrow.

I have a 300 ft gravel driveway that has a couple nasty pot-holes. Come to think of it, all the gravel is packed down so it is mostly sand and I will probably have to add more gravel- doubt gravel has been added for quite some time.

Previous owners also left a nice outdoor riding ring. It's been grassed up as last year I just bush-hogged it. We are going to rent out a couple stalls so I need to maintain it.

I was thinking that a rear blade would be my best bet for these two chores. I could borrow a neighbour's disk harrow or plow to break up the dirt in the arena once and and then go over it with the blade and harrow.

I imagine I could use the harrow to loosen up gravel/dirt on the driveway, get some more added and even it out with the blade.

How important is something like an hydraulic top link for blade usage for these types of chores (something else that I'd like to eventually add)?

What do you think?

 

[vallyfarm]

Back blade or York rake. A York rake has moch better control of work than a back blade. Be sure to get one with the wheels on it. Hyd. tpo link is completely unnecessary for either one. Once the blade is set to the proper angle, it stays, Only changing the attack angle...where you pull the pin and shift the blade to another hole, will cause any need to adjust the 3pt. And that would use the side leveler on the rt side lift link to re-level the blade if necessary. Mike

 

[kwolfe]

I agree. I rake would probably be best suited for both duties. The wheels are a definite must have.

 

[Thomas]

Check out a rake w/fold down grader blade...York rake.

 

[canoetrpr]

Would have never thought about a rake for this. Shows you how new I am to this. Now that I think about it, the previous owner had a rake as well.

Forgive the silly question - but is a York rake the same as a landscape rake?

The guy I get implements from stocks Walco equipment and I've been pretty happy with their stuff.

Is this the kind of rake you are referring to with guage wheels?

http://www.walcoequipment.com/Images/yardrake.jpg

Also - how wide? My tractor width is 5 ft. Should I go with 6 ft or bigger (will I ever be angling this?). My tractor is 34 hp - about 28-30 at the PTO.

 

[kwolfe]

That's exactly what we are talking about. York was thhe original manufacturer of them, so the name stuck. Knda like Kleenex. As for size, you machine should be able to pull a 6 ft at least. I am currently making a 5ft for my 15hp subcut.

 

[canoetrpr]

I think I should be able to pull 7 feet. Was wondering whether I need it to be this wide? I don't mind doing extra passes.

So long as I don't need to angle it, I imagine that 6 feet should be fine?

Maybe I should go with 7 - will stick out a foot on each side?

 

[KentT]

Be sure to get the guide wheels when you get it -- or be prepared to make some yourself... they make a HUGE difference.

 

[Thomas]

I think I should be able to pull 7 feet. Was wondering whether I need it to be this wide? I don't mind doing extra passes.

So long as I don't need to angle it, I imagine that 6 feet should be fine?

Maybe I should go with 7 - will stick out a foot on each side?

Also consider other uses for the rake....cleaning up brush,ditching,side jobs for others etc...I would think foot out side of each rear tire should do the job well.