Ratchet Rake - ever seen/used one?

[NuBota]

Good luck with it Eric. I think it will serve you well. Hopefully you can give a better assement than I did for the other TBN members that are on the fence with purchasing it. I assume you didn't purchase much at the Brandywine auction? I've never been, I need to go one of these days.

I am terrible at chronicling my projects and most stuff I have done has already been done better here - but hopefully I can add something useful for once.

The auction, I was a little disapointed. Mostly big equipment which was cool- just not what I need. A small dump truck (i.e F350 type) would have been a possiblilty - but they had none that small. Most of the smaller stuff - implements, XUVs, ATVs, etc were scarce. I did learn a lot of pre-work goes into one of these things. Need to apply for a bidder number, need a letter from your bank saying how much you can spend, etc. And you have to hang out all day or plan your time to get there when they are selling the lot that you want. They took over an hour and a half selling little items (ratchet straps, safety glasses, rope) off the back of a box truck. They do have a way to bid online so it may be easier to inspect the items you want in the morning, then go home and bid.

BTW - not sure you know about it - but Marlboro Trading Post moved down this way from PG County - they are around the corner from me - RT 381 in Aquasco. They have a large selection of new and used stuff and seemed good to deal with

 

[thavil]

I am terrible at chronicling my projects and most stuff I have done has already been done better here - but hopefully I can add something useful for once.

The auction, I was a little disapointed. Mostly big equipment which was cool- just not what I need. A small dump truck (i.e F350 type) would have been a possiblilty - but they had none that small. Most of the smaller stuff - implements, XUVs, ATVs, etc were scarce. I did learn a lot of pre-work goes into one of these things. Need to apply for a bidder number, need a letter from your bank saying how much you can spend, etc. And you have to hang out all day or plan your time to get there when they are selling the lot that you want. They took over an hour and a half selling little items (ratchet straps, safety glasses, rope) off the back of a box truck. They do have a way to bid online so it may be easier to inspect the items you want in the morning, then go home and bid.

BTW - not sure you know about it - but Marlboro Trading Post moved down this way from PG County - they are around the corner from me - RT 381 in Aquasco. They have a large selection of new and used stuff and seemed good to deal with

Completed my 200 hr service today (also changed both fuel filters while I was at it because each one was sorta black), so hopefully, I can get out there tomorrow and use the rake some. Still trying to get the diesel smell off of me after taking a small bath in it while changing the filters.

Thank you for the info on the auction and the Trading Post. I think I will pass on the auction but I have been wanting to go to the trading post in Upper Marlboro but just never made it there. I will go to the one in Aquasco on Monday (day off) since I will be going to the dump on Billingsley and Rt 5 anyway. I will go the southern route, down 5 to 231 and then up 381. Again, thanks for the info and hopefully the other half doesn't get mad if I buy something.

 

[NuBota]

Completed my 200 hr service today (also changed both fuel filters while I was at it because each one was sorta black), so hopefully, I can get out there tomorrow and use the rake some. Still trying to get the diesel smell off of me after taking a small bath in it while changing the filters.

Thank you for the info on the auction and the Trading Post. I think I will pass on the auction but I have been wanting to go to the trading post in Upper Marlboro but just never made it there. I will go to the one in Aquasco on Monday (day off) since I will be going to the dump on Billingsley and Rt 5 anyway. I will go the southern route, down 5 to 231 and then up 381. Again, thanks for the info and hopefully the other half doesn't get mad if I buy something.

I read your fuel filter post - very informative. I'm battling air in the hydro I think - SUDT is foaming some

As far as Marlboro Trading post - I am not responsible for any domestic issue arising from the suggestion.....

Back on topic - I expect my rake on Tuesday - won't be able to get out there till Friday.

 

[Bassicfun]

Long long weekend, just got home late Sunday with the tractor, unloaded it, tossed the rake on, and tore down a couple saplings/bushes/trees out in the yield (yard + field).. Worked well, ran over the tree, dropped the bucket, (all in 4wd).. and pulled back and ripped it completely out.. Looking forward to this investment!

 

[thavil]

I read your fuel filter post - very informative. I'm battling air in the hydro I think - SUDT is foaming some

As far as Marlboro Trading post - I am not responsible for any domestic issue arising from the suggestion.....

Back on topic - I expect my rake on Tuesday - won't be able to get out there till Friday.

Hope you get your hydro issue resolved soon. Went to Marlboro Trading Post today and was suprised that they sell new equipment also. Got out of there without buying anything but did find something for a friend that he needs.

Long long weekend, just got home late Sunday with the tractor, unloaded it, tossed the rake on, and tore down a couple saplings/bushes/trees out in the yield (yard + field).. Worked well, ran over the tree, dropped the bucket, (all in 4wd).. and pulled back and ripped it completely out.. Looking forward to this investment!

Thanks for the pictures, fine looking tractor with a mean looking rake attached.

 

[Bassicfun]

If the rain can hold off... I'll report back the next few days on all I can do (Actually will likely start a new thread on the entire house landscaping project, and link it in my signature)

 

[Bassicfun]

Got the start of a LONG LONG project going last night.

This is what the ratchet rake is capable of... pictures include what it 'did' look like.. the trees and limbs I ripped out of the brush, the brush itself ripped out and piled, a picture of some large rocks that the rake 'unearthed' as well as some grading of the soil to smooth the area out... About an area ~16' x ~10'

I'll be starting a thread on the entire field-to-yard transformation, perhaps a testiment to alot of time on the tractor, some great implements (such as the ratchet rake) and a little bit of planning.

 

[HarleyScooter]

This thing looks like it does a good job. What is the size of the formed angle they make the rake out of?

 

[J_J]

The small one is made from 3/8 in, and the larger one is from 1/2 in.

 

[Bassicfun]

Only complaint I have, is that the straps are of little use, I have 14hrs on the tractor (between first 'venture' Monday-Wednesday), Used the Ratchet Rake for probably 8-10 of those hours, and the straps are already frayed and ready to rip, going to have to replace with a length of chain over this weekend, to keep the strap off the bottom of the bucket, where it is seeing tons of abuse. I would like to see this 'design improvement' from the makers, but I guess I'll have to do the design/modification myself.

Wonderful tool/implement aside from that.