3 Point Power Rake Build

premierindustries · Dec 12, 2018

I had some dirt work done around the house this last Fall and I am going to need a power rake come next Summer to fix up the yard.
Didn't really want to rent one as I will need to use it several times through out the Summer.
I don't have a skid steer, but I do have a tractor, and the local rental does not have a 3 point rake available.
So I thought I will just buy a power rake use it for about a year on and off to fix the yard as things settle and grass grows back.
Then I priced them out, came across some of the posts on this website, and decided to build one instead.

I know this project has come up before and there has been a lot of discussion about it.
It has really helped me as far as some of my decisions on the build, so I thought I would share my build to help others.

First off I would like everyone to know I own and operate a machining and fabrication business.
I am the only employee and....

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR MY BUSINESS !!!

I just want everyone to know that I do have tools available to me that the average person does not.
I will be building the rake mostly myself, but I may need to sub some work out that I cannot do.

So here are some pictures to get the discussion started.
I decided to start with the drum as most of the machine is built around that.
I would appreciate any feedback.

pmsmechanic · Dec 12, 2018

I want to do the same. Subscribed.

Cataclysm · Dec 12, 2018

Great project! Thanks for sharing!!

Power rakes are pricey and the 3pt rakes seem to be rare. I got lucky and found a 6' Woods on CL. An afternoon with parts and a grease gun its up and running. I wouldn't take anything for it.

There is a lot more skill in running one to get specific results than one might think.

pmsmechanic · Dec 12, 2018

Cataclysm said:
I wouldn't take anything for it.

Where do you live? I have first dibs. I'll come and pick it up!

texasranger556 · Dec 13, 2018

Wow how wide is it?

premierindustries · Dec 13, 2018

The drum / rotor is 84" wide.
Here is a video of the tooth layout.

Power Rake Tooth Locations - YouTube

premierindustries · Dec 13, 2018

Worked on the cross tube today.
I am going to bolt the sides on to the cross tube, I thought it would be easier to modify if something is figured wrong.

The pads were welded to the ends of the tube, and then I machined them so they would be flat and square to the tube and each other.
In hindsight it is overkill, but it will only help for alignment.

Train · Dec 15, 2018

The video shows us a lot, but doesn't tell us much. The rotor is what always brings the questions. What is the diameter you used and how many rows is it divided into? (looks like ten to me). Next, what size did you use for teeth? And last, how much is the offset from one tooth to the next. I realize you're a fabricator with a nice shop at your disposal, but DAM, you do nice work.

premierindustries · Dec 15, 2018

I used 6" schedule 40 pipe for the drum.
It measures 6 1/16" ID, 6 5/8" OD, 9/32" wall
This seems to be a common drum diameter between several manufactures.

The axle is made from 1 3/4" diameter 1045 cold rolled. ( most rakes use a 1 1/2" axle, but I had some 1 3/4" bearings left over from another job )

There are ( 10 ) rows of teeth, so they are rotated 36 degrees from each other.
Which worked out good for the teeth radial spacing. ( 6.625 diameter x 3.14 = 20.80 circumference / 10 = 2.080 width for each row of teeth )
The teeth measure 2" x 2 1/8" and they are cut from 3/8" AR400 plate. ( so far this is the only work I jobbed out )
There are ( 83 ) teeth on the drum. ( which seems to be a fairly common number of teeth for a 7' wide drum )
Rather than describe the spacing I attached a drawing of it.