best attachment/s to maintain baseball fields?

Tags · Jan 14, 2003

Like I said,it is a bit of a sticker shock.....initially.....I also thought so too,until I saw one in action.Your case is much different than mine also,I use mine for business,and almost every day in the spring and fall,and at least a couple times a week in between.You could also look for used ones ,but they'll run somewhere around $4000 for one in good condition.A york rake is good,but tends to just scratch the surface if its hard,it works better if you lightly till the field first with a roto tiller,then go on it with the york rake,that way it breaks up any vegetation and also loosens the clay,and you can smooth it and remove the vegetation with the rake.I have no experience with a pulverizer,but have seen them before,I think that may help to keep the fields shaped up during the season better than a york rake.

Gfranklin · Jan 14, 2003

I am thinking the Gill was bought out by Woods and are still made. I am guessing the a new pulverizor is in the $400-$500 range. Some models have a double roller in the back. I was able to locate a used one by calling around to the various local equipment dealers.

I have never used or even seen a York rake being used so I am of no help in comparing them. I know that the pulverizor will drag a lot of dirt if you lower it on down and still level perfectly. It will also bounce out a decent rock when one of those rigidly mounted teeth hit it. The teeth are replaceable if needed but I haven't had to replace any. It has been tough.

Greg

kch · Jan 14, 2003

Does the Harley rake require a larger framed tractor with more HP to pull it. I have got a Kubota B2910.

kch · Jan 14, 2003

Also I believe they make York Rakes with scarfires and a blade in front of the rake. If that is the case would they then work better then a pulverizer?

popeye · Jan 15, 2003

When I took care of the fields I would rototill first to loosen up the soil before the season started to soften the field (too soft to run on). Rake any grass or debris out of the dirt and add whatever sand or sand clay mix was needed to level out. Then set the pulverizer level and run over it until the clods were busted up and the field was leveled out. The fields would firm up over the season and when they got too firm I would adjust the angle of the pulverizer to dig deeper to soften it up again. If the teeth wouldn't dig in I would wet it down a little. After a little practice with you can keep the field firm underneath (drys out quicker) and soft on top (so they won't lose any hide in a slide). One advantage to the pulverizer was that keeping clods busted up really cut down on "bad hops" Another thing I did was attach a piece of chain link or even better, chain matte behind the pulverizer. Hope this helps.
Mike

MossRoad · Jan 15, 2003

Yes, your post, and all the others does help, a lot. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thanks.

Tags · Jan 15, 2003

Kch,
I believe a 6 foot harley rake requires a minimum of 20 hp.What is the hp rating of the 2910?

kch · Jan 15, 2003

a 2910 is 30 HP but the tractor itself is lighter and smaller then most 30 HP tractors.

Tags · Jan 15, 2003

Kch,
30 hp is good,the lighter and smaller part doesn't really matter as long as it is 4wd,which I imagine it is.As long as it is in 4wd it'll have no problem yanking a power rake behind it.To get an idea of what the thing will do, goto; glenmac.com,they are the manufacturers of the harley rake and they have some good pics there too.