soil conditioner/power rake build

[leveller]

After searching for a used power rake for a while, I decided I could build one for less money than buying one. I have been collecting pieces over the winter and now that spring is here, I decided I better start building my rake. The first few pics show the main parts I will be using. As with most of my projects, I will use as much as possible from my "scrap" pile. Because I wanted to use steel I already had, the main frame is way over built. It is a 4x8 tube, but I figure weight will be good.I will update pics as I build, Greg

 

[leveller]

This pic shows my main frame and drum mocked up in position. For mounting the shaft in the drum, I found a few 6 inch by 1/2 inch circle cut outs at a local manufacturing plant. I cut a 1 1/2 in, hole in the centre of the circle, then slid the circles onto the shaft and welded them on. I then slid the shaft and circle assembly into the drum and welded in the ends. I also drilled 4 holes in the centre of the drum, and plug welded the centre circle to the drum(make sense?). The drum itself is 6 in, in diameter with a 1/4 in. wall. This was another piece I had in my scrap pile for years, knowing someday I might need it! The teeth on my drum are 1x2 in. by 1/2 in. thick pieces of HARDOX steel. I was repairing a company truck for a local company, (I own a body shop) and they plasma cut the teeth for me for free! The gear box is also over kill, but again it was free, found it on an old beet harvestor on my uncles' farm. Greg

 

[leveller]

Another mock up pic. The 3x6 upright on the one end will also double as my chain case. I made this piece so that it bolts on, to ease assembly and future repairs. I will also be adding more teeth to the drum. Greg

 

[SpecElim]

Looking good so far! I wanted to build one a while back but everyone here talked me out of it.

I am getting ready to start building implements for garden tractors on up through large tractors as my own little business. Maybe that'll be one of the implements I build.
Thanks, Spec

 

[Taylortractornut]

youve got me hooked into building one now. I need one for my Case Uniloader. I can get carbide tipped asphault mill teeth at a local company so I may do that. I like the neat spacing on your drum. I need to up size that to make my compost windrower im thinking of.

 

[leveller]

I have been working on my soil conditioner, just have not taken the time to post. I have it to the stage where it is usable now. I have taken it to a couple of job sites and I am very happy with how it works. I need to make a few changes and finish some things, then I will take it apart for paint. I am including some pics if anyone is interested, Greg

 

[leveller]

This pic is to show what soil can look like after a pass with the soil conditioner. This is an area of my wife's garden, so it is nice topsoil, however it was full of ruts due to having driven through it to get to my back yard. I did not have my camera along to the job I did today, but I levelled a new house yard. It was hard, lumpy clay, but after a few passes with my new machine, it looked great! I then took my box scraper and could level the yard very nicely. The last pic is just so you can see the size of my soil conditioner compared to my tractor. I know my tractor is dirty, but I had just got home from working with it , Greg

 

[fcamillieri]

I know my tractor is dirty, but I had just got home from working with it , Greg

C'mon, tractors are supposed to get dirty.

 

[alltoys]

For your gear box what is the ratio of output to the drum?

I gather your tractor is 550 PTO Rpm?

Which direction does the drum turn?

Do you think you could use a shroud to cover the drum to stop debris from hitting your tractor and possibly you?

 

[radioman]

It looks great! I like the way its built stout and simple! :thumbsup: