RatchetRake or Pirinha for my current needs?

[atsah]

I don't see how, they both use the cutting edge or edge of the bucket for support.. As far as 3pt RR, you need down pressure and all the control you have over the bucket, angle etc..

 

[anthonyv]

I have both & have found the Ratchet Rake does not fit well when the Piranha bar is in place. Takes only a few minutes to remove & install either one. As for the 3 pt attachment there is another post where someone mounted a RR to a 3pt carry all. Might need to get a wider RR to fit on carry all, maybe 5ft. Then you could leave Piranha bar & quick hitch the Rake. I use both regularly & they work very well for the task they were designed to do.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I know...just curious. Two bolts is not a big deal to take off the Piranha. I do think the Ratchet Rake would be better for the driveway though....maybe in the spring.

 

[atsah]

From the OP's opening post, I would imagine the PTB would serve him well, if you do much digging I would say the PTB would be the way to go. I don't do a lot of digging and when I do I don't have a problem with just the cutting edge doing the job, the RR and PTB are two completely different tools, one is "okay" for brush removal and very good for digging, the RR is great at driveway maintaining and brush removal.

 

[dragoneggs]

JT, I won't say I love my PTB. Done that many times in other threads. :laughing: It is a great digger. My soil is glacial till so lots of very compacted ground with too many rocks from golf balls to volleyballs common. I have torn out a lot of blackberry bushes and small vine maple and other deciduous bushes that turn into trees if you let them. I go a bit subsurface to really rip out the roots and such because I have turned the areas into paths or grass.

I think the PTB makes a pretty much useless bucket for digging into a weapon. I treat my BX like a bulldozer with it. Actually surprised I haven't messed up the cylinder or bent something because I go as hard as it will take (weight/hp wise). Never owned a RR. My PTB has never come off. I grade gravel with it but that is one thing I imagine the RR would be better. See pics of side hill cutting using my PTB. To me it is a no brainer if you are digging.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks, more good input. I am now doing more digging and use my Boxblade for the gravel road maintenance. The mountain behind my house that I bought last year had a transmission tower on it and a gravel road to the top. I have a 12'x40' pre built cabin and a 38' camper at the top now. I just drop my boxblade when I go up and down the road and it keeps it in good shape since it was well made and now solid.
RR now sells a RR that pulls behind a RTV or tractor and one has wheels that lift to keep it from digging during moving. For those of you talking about getting one for 3ph, the factory has already done it, sort of.
Looks like I'll be making my final decision in the next day or so. Thanks again to all for your input.:drink:

 

[onionfmr]

Used the Piranha bar for several hours today. Thought I would post some pictures. Push over sapling/tree (1" to 5" in diameter), get under root ball below ground surface, curl up bucket and push. Shear off roots. Push out of the way. Last picture is the area that I cleared in a couple of hours this afternoon.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Used the Piranha bar for several hours today. Thought I would post some pictures. Push over sapling/tree (1" to 5" in diameter), get under root ball below ground surface, curl up bucket and push. Shear off roots. Push out of the way. Last picture is the area that I cleared in a couple of hours this afternoon.

Looks great. I've cleared large areas like that using my JDUNN Grapple which is a somewhat slow process. Have to come up to them, close arms and then push and lift and then take the saplings to the closest brush pile. Looks like head on with an attached implement would be quicker. What size/HP is your tractor?

 

[onionfmr]

Looks great. I've cleared large areas like that using my JDUNN Grapple which is a somewhat slow process. Have to come up to them, close arms and then push and lift and then take the saplings to the closest brush pile. Looks like head on with an attached implement would be quicker. What size/HP is your tractor?

My tractor is a Massey 54 hp hydro. I've been doing this for a couple of years using an HLA bucket with no cutting edge just using standard bucket edge. See picture. You kind of develop a technique as you go. In a lot of my areas, there are several small trees/sapling close together. With some planning, I can push over several saplings/small trees at once. Grab the roots and push. The key is to try to grab the root ball in away that you get the trunk and roots and leave as much dirt as possible. With the Piranha tooth bar, I can easily double my productivity versus the standard HLA bucket. Also, with the PTB, I can handle bigger small trees because the PTB cuts larger roots where the standard bucket wouldn't. One added bonus with the PTB, is I can easily get under the root ball with the teeth and then drag the small tree in reverse to an area where I can push it out of the way. Adds to productivity as I don't have to get out the cab to manually move debris all the time.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Ordered last Tuesday and keep looking for FedEx or email that it has been shipped or some response but alas nothing so far. Will keep waiting and looking!!!
JOHN THOMAS,
This email confirms that your order was received at BXpanded. You will receive an additional email once your order is shipped. Contact us if you have any questions about your order.

Thanks for using BXpanded.

Order Information
Order number: 32xxx
Order Date: 7/31/2018
Billing Address
JOHN THOMAS
CIRAJOHNTHOMAS@MSN.COM
xx Kingsview Lane
Somerset, KY 42501 US

Additional Information
Comments:
measurements 64.25' inside bucket
Payment Information
Payment Method
Paypal Checkout

Order Summary
thumbnail image PTB64.25 B65.75 P65.5 Piranha Tooth Bar
Actual Bucket Inside Width (Nearest 1/4 Inch): 64.25"
Include Step Drill Bit for Installation?: No
$309.00 x 1
$309.00
Shipping To
JOHN THOMAS
xx Kingsview Lane Somerset, KY 42501 US

Shipping Method
FEDEX - Ground