Rake Cost of Woods gauge wheels for rake?

[IslandTractor]

Island Tractor--if you ever don't want them, sell me your Woods rake wheels.

I think I'm going to get the top 'n tilt setup. Sounds like a must-have

I'd consider selling but I'm not sure if I will get to the tractor in the next couple of months. Summer place is in lock down mode and it is a bit tough to get out there mid winter. If you hold off until spring send me a PM and we'll discuss it.

Regarding the top 'n tilt, one cost saving approach is to get the topping lift first and see if you need the tilt. I have just the topping lift and am very content with it but then I don't maintain a driveway or have any reason to tilt boxblade or rake.

 

[r1bourg]

six dogs...you plough snow with your rake. Sounds interesting. My little 7510 Bota and 5' rake is only about 3/4 ton. Would it be heavy enough to angle off the wet heavy snow without using chains? My fel is so very inefficient. I thought about using the rake but figure it might need some backer material across the teeth...steel,wood or plastic?? Any good tips you might willing to share. Thanks:

 

[sixdogs]

six dogs...you plough snow with your rake. Sounds interesting. My little 7510 Bota and 5' rake is only about 3/4 ton. Would it be heavy enough to angle off the wet heavy snow without using chains? My fel is so very inefficient. I thought about using the rake but figure it might need some backer material across the teeth...steel,wood or plastic?? Any good tips you might willing to share. Thanks:

No backer material across the teeth. Somehow the snow vibrates? off the blades. Beats me but it works very well. You do not need a blade.
Of course chains will help and more tractor and more horsepower and more weight is always better. I use an 8 ft rake on a 75hp tractor and that combo works. That rake did not do well on a 40HP Kubota L4300.
I will say that a rake pulls easier than the same width blade. If the snow is too much just lift up some and make multiple passes. I have rarely put the rake teeth directly on the ground but keep a few inches off to keep the gravel there. Your rig should work after you figure out the details.
A sharp angle will or should work with the multiple-pass approach. And while I have not done this extra thing on this particular rake I have found a little Pam sprayed on a blade/rake makes the snow slide better. Not all times but some times.

On your plastic question...you don't need it but some farm places sell a slippery plastic that I have seen work well with snow on a blade. Remember I think a rake is better anyway.

 

[sixdogs]

This is my snowplow that goes with the above post. I forgot to attach. Keep us posted and welcome to the board.

 

[r1bourg]

Thanks Sixdogs...I will try this out asap and post my results. I really like my 5' rake in the spring summer and fall. It rakes out (improves) a rough lawn nicely,for sure it rakes leaves, rakes sticks and stones and other debris from areas cleared of trees , levels gravel driveways nicely, romoves the roughness out of washed out areas. Moving snow will be another nice touch. Really like the rake(no wheels right now).

Can someone explain how to put a picture into the reply. I went to insert a picture and they want a url??? Com'on you young techs take it easy on my old brain. I wanted to take it from my c dive...it don't compute. ???

 

[sixdogs]

Can someone explain how to put a picture into the reply. I went to insert a picture and they want a url??? Com'on you young techs take it easy on my old brain. I wanted to take it from my c dive...it don't compute. ???

Here's how to do a photo.
Click on the paperclip at the top of the reply screen and then click on the "browse" button to find the photo on your computer. piece of cake. It will show up in your reply but you cannot see it until you "preview" your post.

Try that and fool around and let me know how you are doing--I'll take you to the next level. It's like riding a bike once you get the basics but they are hard to explain.

 

[kthompson]

Sixdogs, you may be able to work out those waves by rotating the rake some one direction and working the drive and if necessary then the other direction. This will help prevent those abrupt up and down wave actions. Works with blades and rakes. If there is up and down movement in the rake or blade when running it this way it does not create a wave or roll where both wheels hit at the same time or as bad for washing.

 

[r1bourg]

Sixdogs,I hope I mean I know this preview will work. Did the preview...wow I'm mov'in inta the high tech. arena now. These are shots of B7510 Bota wait'n for it to snow. Happy New Year

 

[r1bourg]

Sixdogs,your jd runs without chains. I enlarged the photo. I can see why no chains required. Your one tire weighs about what my whole outfit weighs. Have you ever used chains? Can I make my own or convert truck chains or is it better to bye 'em. Would I need 'em front and rear (4*4).

 

[JASTN70D]

This is my snowplow that goes with the above post. I forgot to attach. Keep us posted and welcome to the board.

Glad to finally see someone else using a rake for Snow...I was beginning to wonder just how much an oddball I am

I find of all the other methods I have tried (Front blade, Rear Blade, FEL only, box Blade) it works the best for my 1500' gravel drive. The only tool I found that will leave much of the gravel in place.

I put my FEL in float raise the edge about 2 inches and float the rake about 2 inches.. One time down and up and its done. Am using a heavy Tractor and it does make a big difference 6500LB+. But even my old much smaller tractor worked best with this setup.. Just took more trips

Must get a rake that is at least a foot wider than your tires as you loose allot on an angle.

 

[sixdogs]

Sixdogs,I hope I mean I know this preview will work. Did the preview...wow I'm mov'in inta the high tech. arena now. These are shots of B7510 Bota wait'n for it to snow. Happy New Year

No problem. Just post more photos so we can check out the scenery there.
What a fine tractor setup you have.

My mottos is: "If it hasn't moved in a long time in the yard, get the backhoe and move it." It's worked so far.

 

[sixdogs]

Sixdogs, you may be able to work out those waves by rotating the rake some one direction and working the drive and if necessary then the other direction. This will help prevent those abrupt up and down wave actions. Works with blades and rakes. If there is up and down movement in the rake or blade when running it this way it does not create a wave or roll where both wheels hit at the same time or as bad for washing.

Good point and I tried that. Normally, I can operate in draft control and smooth things out. This time I spread the gravel myself and wasn't paying the attention I should. I now have waves.
They lessen with each pass but I am fairly convinced the wheels will give me a smooth and even coating of gravel.
The wheels ride behind the raek so the rake will always travel smooth? Not sure but that's what I think.

In a more-washed and finer gravel I could put the rake flat to the ground and I know it would work fine. Not so with the manufactured gravel of Ohio. I need plan "B" to give me an even coating

 

[r1bourg]

Few photos from Northern Ontario

 

[r1bourg]

Few more photos as per request.

 

[Engine66]

W can share a secret here in that the landscape rake is one of the most important pieces of equipment out there. It will even PLOW SNOW better than a blade. Beats me but it works.
Island Tractor--if you ever don't want them, sell me your Woods rake wheels.

I think I'm going to get the top 'n tilt setup. Sounds like a must-have

Confirmed...I also use the rake at times for snow...depends on conditions. I sometimes use the rake tines on my gravel drive to break up the ice base and it worked great...especially in reverse. Made the ice "chunky" and gave my tires something to grab going up the driveway.

 

[sixdogs]

Few more photos as per request.

Wow--thank you very much. Beautiful scenery.
I like the rock and ledge outcropping. Must be hard to garden/farm with so little topsoil and so many hidden obstacles just below the surface. Thanks again--great photos and I hope more people here see how beautiful things are in the North.

 

[canoetrpr]

Good thread. Thought I'd add a couple cents.

I've regretted whenever I purchased cheaper equipment to save money. I don't nearly use my tractor as much as most here - maybe 60 hrs a year. I figured I didn't need a top notch rake so I bought a Kodiak. I used it maybe6 times before I broke one tine. Each gauge wheel bracket where the gauge wheel assembly attached to the rake developed cracks in the welds.

Its a good thing that I have taken up welding as a bit of a hobby an now I can justify all the $$$ I've spend on welding equipment

If I were to do it again - I would get a Woods medium duty for sure - even for my infrequent use.

The Woods equipment I have - BB60 rotary cutter and HB72 box blade by comparison are top notch and the Kodiak stuff does not even remotely compare to their build quality.

r1bourg - excellent pictures. Thanks for posting. You best be saving some $ and buying yourself a snowblower for Northern Ontario You won't miss the rake I'm sure.

 

[sixdogs]

......
r1bourg - excellent pictures. Thanks for posting. You best be saving some $ and buying yourself a snowblower for Northern Ontario You won't miss the rake I'm sure.

...and --when you get a snowblower you will for sure need a cab tractor so there is a natural progression for an "upgrade" that is somewhat justified. Well, sort-of justified.
Don't worry about it, guys here have all the answers you'll need for the wife.

 

[canoetrpr]

LOL. When I moved to the farm and was looking for a tractor, my buddy's dad, a farmer, told me to make sure I got a cab for the winter. I figured its just because he was an older guy who was getting used to the cushy life

One winter later, I wish I had listened to him. Much harder to upgrade now.

But seriously though.. even if you can't get a CAB tractor, get a snowblower.

 

[JB4310]

I've got to try that rake thing in the snow, heard plenty of people here recommend it but still can't get my head around the idea, I'll just have to try it. I've got a 6' landpride with wheels

I have a long gravel drive to my shop in the back and large gravel storage areas, I waste a lot of time back blading with 3pt plow and it still doesn't come out to good then I'll go at it with the bucket and even though I know better I'll try to get down close and end up with a bucket of gravel and scalped edges.