DIY Ratchet Rake

[High Compression]

Hey all. I have a couple of little jobs to do and a ratchet rake would be handy. After some research, I realized that it may or may not work on my bucket because I have a bolt on cutting edge. Yes they do have a little tab that you can cut off, but still no guarantee. Also, my many local TSC stores (4 within 20 min.) didn't stock them. So I would have to order it, wait, then find out if it was going to work.
So, I figured really, how hard could it be to make one. Well, I had the metal laying around, the time, a plasma cutter and welder. I figured why not. Tried it out. It worked really well. Still a little tweaking, clean up and paint to go. I won't bore you with the details but here are a few pix.



My helper (Kenzi) got tired. She's gonna have to buck up to hang with the big dogs.:laughing:

 

[rekees4300]

Good job! I like yours better than the original because your front teeth form a V. That should make it better for tightly grabbing small trees/brush. :thumbsup:

 

[AirForceIP]

Boy, you did a fantastic job! You will really like the RR. I wasn't sure, but at only 200 bucks from TS, I figured what the heck. After using it...amazing tool. lb for lb best $ I have spent. You hit a home run making it on your own.

 

[High Compression]

Good job! I like yours better than the original because your front teeth form a V. That should make it better for tightly grabbing small trees/brush. :thumbsup:

Thank you! I hope so.

Boy, you did a fantastic job! You will really like the RR. I wasn't sure, but at only 200 bucks from TS, I figured what the heck. After using it...amazing tool. lb for lb best $ I have spent. You hit a home run making it on your own.

Thanks a lot! Very true, it is the the best # for # budget tool. I would have bought one except for my doubt of it fitting on my bucket.

 

[hydro2]

I love mine. Its an amazing tool.

 

[Bob77064]

Looks good.

 

[GrizzyDan]

Looking forward to hearing how this performs. Looks great.

 

[creekbend]

Good job. :thumbsup:

 

[HiTechTed]

That makes me wish I had a plasma cutter...

One question though, aren't those hooks a little weak? It looks like one with the strap on the left is bent upwards. I'm not bad mouthing your work, it's just that the hooks look under-rated for the tool.

 

[High Compression]

Looks good.

Thank you!

Looking forward to hearing how this performs. Looks great.

Thanks! Stay tuned.

Good job. :thumbsup:

Thank you!

That makes me wish I had a plasma cutter...

One question though, aren't those hooks a little weak? It looks like one with the strap on the left is bent upwards. I'm not bad mouthing your work, it's just that the hooks look under-rated for the tool.

Yup, I noticed that too. I cut my loops of and moved them forward to help with that. But.....

 

[High Compression]

Well gang. The results are in. It has done a fantastic job. I'm really amazed at how something so simple works so well.
Before



After





But it's back to the drawing board. The prototype now to be known as DIY RR Alpha, has met it's limit. I figured that 5/16" wouldn't last as well as 5/8" especially on a 60hp tractor:confused3:,(5/8" is what the Real RR 72" is made of. 68" and 55" are 1/2". ) but I didn't have any 5/8" laying around, and my plasma won't like it anyway. I got a little too aggressive with a stump and this happened. Again 5/16" + L5740 + me liking to test(break) stuff=


:laughing::drink:
I learned 2 things here. One: as was admired by another TBN'r, my cutouts came to a point. Well that creates a weak spot. The reason the real RR has a radius is to prevent cracking and tearing. Two: as previously noted my bucket hooks were not strong enough either.
An additional mod I am going to make is a backward facing notch protruding on each side of the bucket to grab hanging vines in the trees and pull them out. Sooooo.......
DIY RR Bravo is in the works. If I can get my hands on 5/8" today it will be game on, if not I might have to settle for 1/2" and just beef it up. I have a buddy with a CNC plasma table, that will cut it out perfect for me. We'll see what I get done today and I'll try to post progress and pix later.:thumbsup:

 

[J_J]

Bend it back straight and lay down some 2 x 1/2 bar and reinforce the full length.

Your statement below would look good on the Ratchet Rake web site.

" How something so simple works so well "

I had cut out a toothed rake like the Ratchet Rake around August, and was trying to add a grader blade to it for scraping.

I will probably have to beef mine up also.

I have the 72 in Ratchet Rake, and I am thinking of trying it on the scraper/grader blade.

 

[hydro2]

Let us know how that works.

 

[High Compression]

Ok gang. DIY RR Bravo complete! (Minus paint) I'll take suggestions on paint color. I have lot's of black. Kubota orange isn't out. Expensive, but not out.
So here are the pix of the new one. I think if I break this, I've got bigger problems.:laughing:

Here's what I started with. 6"x4"x5/8"

Drilled the inside point to prevent tearing or cracking.

Templates





Side hooks for vines etc.

Ditto

Attachment points.


Hopefully the weakest link is the 3333# rated straps. We'll see.:thumbsup:

 

[rekees4300]

:thumbsup: I like the side vine hooks. Just be aware of the possibility of dead limbs falling when pulling the vines out of trees.

 

[High Compression]

:thumbsup: I like the side vine hooks. Just be aware of the possibility of dead limbs falling when pulling the vines out of trees.

Very true! You gotta get out and scope out those "Widow Makers" before you start jerkin stuff outta trees.:thumbsup:

 

[gkh7890]

HC,
Nice looking project! Looking forward to the finished paint pics and some more action shots!!!:thumbsup:

 

[High Compression]

HC,
Nice looking project! Looking forward to the finished paint pics and some more action shots!!!:thumbsup:

Thank you Sir! I haven't stuck Bravo in the dirt yet, cuz I'm gonna paint, but I'm excited to test it out. Still waiting on some suggestions on paint color.

 

[600rider]

Thank you Sir! I haven't stuck Bravo in the dirt yet, cuz I'm gonna paint, but I'm excited to test it out. Still waiting on some suggestions on paint color.

Orange tractor... Orange bucket......paint her blue!! No No No paint it orange!!!! :laughing:

 

[jpm1]

High Compression,
Great job! How did you know i wanted one? My bucket is kinda a blackish color, so black will be fine. You should recieve the paint in the mail shortly :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: . . .again great job .. .John