Landscape rakes- are they all the same?

[UncleBuck1]

I've been looking at landscape rakes to help with cleaning up some land that was logged about 2 years ago; I'm slowly cutting all of the brush and weeds down and then want to follow up with a landscape rake to get the slash up. I have about 20 acres that I'm going to want to clean like this.

Here's my question, other that price is there really any difference between landscape rakes? Are any heavier duty than the others? This will be hard work on the rake and I don't mind spending more if I need to, but if everything else is equal I will go with one of the cheaper models.

Brian

 

[bcp]

For heavy duty, I would prefer the frame (that the tines bolt to) be made from a rectangular or square tube instead of angle iron. I've seen photos posted of bent rake frames, that were a large angle iron the tines bolted to.

Bruce

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Check out our ETA Landscape Rake if heavy duty is what you're after.
Here are some of the features:
Tines are each placed in individual holes
3 degree at tine mounting point allows for 1/8" clearance above and below tine for great perfomance
Quick hitch & I-match compatible
8 Forward and 8 Reverse settings.
Tines are 1" wide and 5/16" thick measuring 27" long if straightened
All steel is 3/8" thick
Category I hitch
Gauge wheels available
American Made!
Free delivery within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC
Here is the video:

 

[Piston]

I know you asked about landscape rakes, but I'm going to suggest an all around better implement for your intended uses.

What would suit your needs is a front end loader mounted grapple. I'm not sure if you have a loader or not on your tractor, so I won't go into much detail, but you would benefit the most from this tool. Based on your explanation, I think a root rake style grapple would be the best choice. There is simply no better tool for the job (that would work on a tractor.)

If you are dead set on a landscape rake, then yes, there is a big difference.

The LandPride 15 series is light duty, it is the rake I have, and I would not recommend it even for light tasks. Look into the 25 (medium duty) and 35 (HD) rakes. It would be money well spent! I believe the new models are 16, 26, and 36 series.

I mention Land Pride because that is what I'm foliage with and really like, but other makes are just as good as well.

I've barely used my rake since I bought my grapple. Click the hyperlink in my sig for some grapple pictures if your interested.

-Matt

 

[foggy1111]

I've got an old Ford Industrial landscape rake that was made about 1960's. Still in very good condition....and very well built. I think I paid 300 for mine.

However.....as was said above....may be money better spent on a FEL root grapple IMO. Slash is hard to rake....and always plugs up in the tines.....hard to remove. 20 acres is allot of land to clean up....and I'm not sure a landscape rake is gonna make you happy.....still....it beats working by hand. At times you can get some work done....but it really takes the right conditions.

 

[94BULLITT]

Be sure the tines have 2 bolts or a way to keep them in alignment like the EA rake.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Here's my :2cents:, please take it for what it may be worth to you. Before I'm done, you would be glad to have spent :2cents:. I agree and disagree with what has been said. I think that a good rake ( Land Pride 36 series ) or ETA's rake is the way to go, to start with. But then to clean up those windrows of trash, you need to also get a good grapple such as this grapple from ETA.

Of course one of the biggest problems in doing all of this, is that before you have all this stuff hitched up to your tractor and everything is working ( have to get some sort of 3rd function for the grapple) you are going to be $4000-$5000 lighter in the wallet. But you asked, and now you know.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[Piston]

Of course one of the biggest problems in doing all of this, is that before you have all this stuff hitched up to your tractor and everything is working ( have to get some sort of 3rd function for the grapple) you are going to be $2000-$4000 lighter in the wallet. But you asked, and now you know.

Good luck with your decisions.

Fixed :thumbsup:

Assuming he already has a FEL (ya I know what happens when you assume :laughing it should cost less than $800 to get the top notch 3rd function (aftermarket() valve. Of course it can be done quite a bit cheaper too, especially if he already has rear remotes, and even if he doesn't.

A FEL grapple can easily be found for under 2 grand, although the root rake styles are usually more.

So, for under $3,000 you could be into a heck of a nice setup. If you already have rear remotes, or don't need the nice convenient 3rd function, you can be into it even cheaper. Of course, you can spend a lot more too, but there is no need to.

Compare this to the cost of the Land Pride 3584 heavy duty rake, and the cost differential to go from the rake, to a full fledged grapple setup, really isn't too bad.

If your going to stick with the landscape rake (good idea if you don't have a FEL already) then get the heaviest one you can afford. Compare the ETA rake that was posted earlier, to something like the medium duty Landpride LR25 series. If you really want a heavy duty rake, the LR35 series is about 25% heavier, although, the ETA rake looks like a really good value for the money :thumbsup:

I know I would want more than a landscape rake to clean up 20 acres, but I also tend to be more "overkill" than I need to be. Theoretically, you could do with a garden rake, but you'd be much happier with the FEL grapple setup. :thumbsup:

 

[UncleBuck1]

Thanks for all the advice. i would love a grapple, but I have a JD 4020 ag tractor and the front axle just wouldn't be up to the job. That's why I'm looking at rakes.

The Landpride 36-series rakes look nice but pricey and I'm studying the ETA rake. I just received one of their "severe xtreme" box blades and although I have yet to use it is a very HD product.

I would also like some guidance on what width rake I should be looking for. My tractor is 7.5' wide at the rear wheels and part of me wants a full tread width rake, since I will also be using the rake for gravel road maintence. But the primary use for the rake will be for cleanup and there are a lot of stumps I will have to work around, so another part of me thinks that a narrower rake may be easier to use.

 

[AKfish]

I have both - loader mounted root rake and a landscape rake. I'm in agreement with the other comments that advise having BOTH attachments as the best way to tackle the job. However, since you don't really have the option for the loader mounted root rake and are looking at LandPride equipment - you might consider the 3pt ripper attachment that LandPride makes.

I used to have one of those as well. It works very well on small (<6 inch) trees and shrubs and roots. It will plug with debris in heavy rooted ground - I spent a lot of time unplugging roots and small stumps! But, they came outta the ground and I could/did rake them up with the landscape rake into piles (windrows) that I could burn.

The model I had used pins to secure/adjust the ripper teeth. To keep from plugging the thing every 100 feet, I pulled every other tooth and flipped them upside down leaving a bigger gap between the teeth.

One added note regarding the landscape rake - get a model with the adjustable rear wheels. Those wheels will make your job much easier! Using a straight - 3pt mount - rake is difficult to keep it from digging either too deep or not deep enough! Can be a royal, PITA!

AKfish