Ratchet Rake

[Riderguy]

Well I went out and got a Ratchet Rake at my local TSC and tried to install it. I have a 300CX on my JD3720 and the 60" bucket has a cutting edge on it. The RR will not fit on the edge (too thick) but the instructions say to cut off the tangs with a hacksaw on the mounting hooks. Looks fairly straightforward. Now to go out and get a hacksaw....

 

[CHDinCT]

Well I went out and got a Ratchet Rake at my local TSC and tried to install it. I have a 300CX on my JD3720 and the 60" bucket has a cutting edge on it. The RR will not fit on the edge (too thick) but the instructions say to cut off the tangs with a hacksaw on the mounting hooks. Looks fairly straightforward. Now to go out and get a hacksaw....

Might a grinder do? Or a reciprocating saw with a metal blade? Hack saws seem so yesterday! :laughing:

 

[Riderguy]

Might a grinder do? Or a reciprocating saw with a metal blade? Hack saws seem so yesterday! :laughing:

The instructions mention a recip saw, but mine is in another location.

 

[Russ Hatch]

I had to hand dig a 25 foot long trench yesterday to lay some under ground electrical wire to my well. This morning after everything was hooked up I decided to use my Kubota with a FEL to back fill the trench. I had the ratchet rake on the FEL and did not want to take it off as I am going to rip out some brush today, so I thought lets see what happens. Back filling went great. I also have taken a trailer hitch ball and slid it between two of the teeth on the rake and tightened down to use as a temporary hitch to move trailers around. This works fine and will be there till I get time to weld a regular hitch on the top of the bucket.

 

[Riderguy]

I got my ratchet rake attached to the bucket with a bit of physical effort using a hacksaw and a dremel tool. The unit went on as advertised. I tried dragging the rake over my field grass to rip it up, and although it did make rip marks in the grass it did not peel it back as I had hoped. I may have had some misconceptions about this implement but I was hoping for a better job than what it did. In all fairness though, the ground was was not 100% dry and the rake got clumped up with dirt (actually clay) and I had to pull the material off the rake numerous times.

If the ground is dry and the grass is short, from those that have a few hours on their rake, will this implement do a good job of ripping grass down to the dirt?

 

[IslandTractor]

I can rake backwards to dirt easily but you cannot do more than a few yards max at a time as the raked material builds up. The RR is not optimal for desodding a field. It is designed more for removing patches of light brush and undergrowth. To clear a whole field a 3pt rake with multiple passes or a powerrake would be better. Plowing under would also work.

 

[Fixemall]

Went to TSC today and noticed the 72" was $299 and the 68" was $329, since my bucket is 72" I loaded the heavy beast and used my 10% coupon. It fit like a glove and seems to be well made. I plan on actually using it later in the week to rip out some brush by my pond, hopefully it works as advertised.

 

[CHDinCT]

Just picked up a used 52" RR for $200 from another TBN member. Haven't used it yet but did check the fit and it seems to fit fine on my 48" bucket lip. Probably won't see any work until Spring. I like that I won't have to take my BH off every time I want to do a little rake work. May even sell my landscape rake once I get it back from my BIL who seems to have adopted it.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just picked up a used 52" RR for $200 from another TBN member. Haven't used it yet but did check the fit and it seems to fit fine on my 48" bucket lip. Probably won't see any work until Spring. I like that I won't have to take my BH off every time I want to do a little rake work. May even sell my landscape rake once I get it back from my BIL who seems to have adopted it.

Don't sell your landscape rake until you've had a chance to use the RR. I have both and they are good for different tasks.

 

[lhfarm]

Don't sell your landscape rake until you've had a chance to use the RR. I have both and they are good for different tasks.

I agree. Two very different implements and I'm glad I have both. Sort of like having a leaf rake and a garden rake. You could get by with one or the other, but much better to have both. The BIL will want to borrow the RR too.