Ratchet Rake - ever seen/used one?

Charlesaf3 · Jul 24, 2009

Watched the video. I agree with the FEL advantage - I have a landscape rake that goes on my FEL for that reason, as well as one on my 3pt. If I could only have one I'd take the 3pt, thought the FEL one has its advantages. I've found front or rear landscape rakes take out briars and brush no problem.

Setting the angle of attack with the toplink gets the landscape rake to dig in pretty well for me, even without downpressure.

How about a toothbar? This seems like a variation on a toothbar - can see the advantage of that, but not sure it does more than a toothbar and landscape rake in combo?

As an aside, I find the landscape rake is an incredibly useful implement. Much more than I ever would guess. I frequently have one on the front and one on the back at the same time.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jul 24, 2009

Charlesaf3 said:
Watched the video. I agree with the FEL advantage - I have a landscape rake that goes on my FEL for that reason, as well as one on my 3pt. If I could only have one I'd take the 3pt, thought the FEL one has its advantages. I've found front or rear landscape rakes take out briars and brush no problem.

Setting the angle of attack with the toplink gets the landscape rake to dig in pretty well for me, even without downpressure.

How about a toothbar? This seems like a variation on a toothbar - can see the advantage of that, but not sure it does more than a toothbar and landscape rake in combo?

As an aside, I find the landscape rake is an incredibly useful implement. Much more than I ever would guess. I frequently have one on the front and one on the back at the same time.

I had a toothbar and sold it. I personally don't think it performs like the tooth bar.

StrangeRanger · Aug 5, 2009

Anyone want a deal on a 68" ratchet rake? $300 shipped obo.
j

Charlesaf3 · Aug 5, 2009

why are you selling, may I ask?

StrangeRanger · Aug 5, 2009

It's simply not working out the way I had planned. The area I'm working is littered w/ too many very large rocks. If the very large rocks were fewer or smaller the rake would be ideal.
j

Charlesaf3 · Aug 5, 2009

ah, makes sense. I've found the york rake works very well for that.

thavil · Aug 5, 2009

Just saw on ratchet rake's website (bottom right hand corner) that they now have a custom length steel cable available instead of the strap. The cable can be purchased as an upgrade for $10 extra. For those of us that purchased before 7/31/09, we can order the cable through their website for $10 w/free shipping. I just made my order through the Contact Us link. Looks like all they need is the depth measurement of your bucket.

ratchetrake@comcast.net · Aug 16, 2009

I had time this weekend to get caught up on this thread. I found entry 131 by CHARLESAF3 particularly interesting. Charles claims that he has "no problem" taking out brush with his (York style) landscaping rake. Many of us would think that a landscaping rake would become hopelessly clogged on only 1 pass in thick brush. Perhaps his special "angle of attack" somehow solves this problem. Maybe Charles could share his secret techniques with us in a 5 minute video?

Brad Kostyak

Charlesaf3 · Aug 31, 2009

ratchetrake@comcast.net said:
I had time this weekend to get caught up on this thread. I found entry 131 by CHARLESAF3 particularly interesting. Charles claims that he has "no problem" taking out brush with his (York style) landscaping rake. Many of us would think that a landscaping rake would become hopelessly clogged on only 1 pass in thick brush. Perhaps his special "angle of attack" somehow solves this problem. Maybe Charles could share his secret techniques with us in a 5 minute video?

Brad Kostyak

"Claims"??? Um sure. Because, just like you, I'm biased. Oh wait a minute... I actually don't have a horse in this race.

But if you want pics, search on island tractor and the brush removal he does with the grapple. Works the same way with a york rake. And yes, it fills up, but it doesn't really affect the use of it - I clean it at the end.

This is why I own 3 york rakes. Not for the joy of looking at them.

But then you probably think I'm trying to defend my york rake investment, or something similarly inane

Bassicfun · Aug 31, 2009

As another user with no 'horse' (or rake?) in this race, I own 60" landscape rake, and the 52" ratchet rake, and from my now 40+ hours of use (likely abou 28-30 hours are exclusively rake usage) I have found that the ratchet rake works for all I could want, and the landscape rake leaves much to be desired, the greatest part of the landscape rake for me has to be the fact I can just 'drag' it while driving forward.

My only complaints about the ratchet rake have nothing to do with the rake itself, but the physics of the FEL. I am way over-due to share pictures of the carnage I've accomplished with the ratchet rake and well.. I guess I have no good excuse minus not keeping my digital camera on the tractor with me

.

Again, no horse in this race as another poster said, just what I found for a $300 ratchet rake shipped (+ buying clevis pin and 3/8" chain for ruggedness) vs. the $350 landscape rake. I am far from any paid endorsement with RR.