I've been searching the web for a brush rake small and light enough for a compact tractor. When I think of a bush rake, what I visualize is also called a root rake. Like this:
Obviously, this one is for a dozer, but I've seen others for skidsteer machines and largish tractors. The problem is, most of them are designed to deal with massive, full size trees like oaks, and are built tough enough to withstand that kind of use, pushed by large loaders or dozers. I hired a guy with a Cat 416C loader/backhoe to do the rough clearing on my property, and that's the kind of rake he has. It works exactly like I'd like a brush rake to work.
The key, for me, is to pick up brush that may still be dirt encrusted, and to "shake" off the dirt to make it better to burn. It needs several tines, but also lots of space for the dirt to fall through. A bucket type design doesn't work as well, for me, because the sides of the bucket don't allow the brush to be cradled in the rake.
The ones I have found are too heavy (700 pounds and up) and too expensive. I don't need that kind of mass - only something heavy enough to resist bending up to the limit of where my FEL won't do anything anymore. I'm pretty sure it could be made from lighter weight tubing instead of solid stock. Since I can't find much, and can't afford what I have found, it looks like I'll try to make my own.
I'm open to any and all suggestions, ideas and any previous experience.
Here's one from Worksaver built for skidsteer mounts, 433 pounds, 62" wide, 15" tine spacing:
I couln't find a price, and don't know if it could be bought with FEL mounting. I checked out skidsteer adaptors and they aren't available for my NH 12LA loader.
