convert a backblade to landscape rake on BX

radioman · Dec 15, 2008

i currently have a 4 ft backblade for my bx. I would like to have a landscape rake as well. When i looked at my backblade, i see a single bolt i could remove and add a single I beam and was thinking of adding tines to the I beam to have landscape rake. I figure this would give me the best of two tools without buying another implement and take up so much space. Has anyone done this ? I have a scrap I beam about 5 ft long and a scrap metal plate i can use for this. All i need to purchase is tines and i am looking for a cheap souce of tines replacement. Any ideas and thoughts ?

GuglioLS · Dec 15, 2008

Radioman,
Your plan sounds like a good one, it should work quite nice for you. The cheapest rake Tines I have been able to locate on the net are from Agri Supply If anyone knows of a lower cost source Please Chime In!

Both Imports (China or Italy). When I made my rake Landscape Rake Build I used the ones from Italy, but the price on the Italian ones have gone up a dollar a tine since then. The Chinese ones are still the same price they were a year ago. Maybe post some pics of your blade so we can take a look at it? It will be interesting to follow along with your project.

Larry

600rider · Dec 15, 2008

I made a rake some years ago when I did I went to the local township building and found they had recently changed their tines on the road grader and still had them laying around, they gave me all I wanted. I got enough to make two rakes and gave my brother inlaw what I didn't need. About as cheap as cheap gets! Ken

radioman · Dec 15, 2008

will post pics tomarrow. Whats the diff between italy and china tines . i noticed there is a shape difference too.

mjncad · Dec 16, 2008

radioman said:
will post pics tomarrow. Whats the diff between italy and china tines . i noticed there is a shape difference too.

Chinese tines are made of Alumasteel.

radioman · Dec 16, 2008

here are the pics of the backblade/landscape project.

radioman · Dec 16, 2008

opps - forgot pics !

teg · Dec 16, 2008

I left my blade on and bolted a large (0.4") angle iron where the cutting edge was. I ended up using 3" oc for the tines (agri-supply, nice to have the store so close

) works for me... Link to the build...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/125894-landscape-rake-tine-measurement.html

radioman · Dec 16, 2008

thanks for the thread you posted. looks like majority prefer 2 inch spacing. I was going to make it nearly 6 ft wide but wont be able to spin it so I think I''ll make it the same as my backblade 4 ft. Looks like I'll be measuring the space left with backblade to see how much more I can add for length. The only thing now is shall i get the 2 hole or one hole tines ? I'm thinking 2 holes to prevent rotation?

teg · Dec 16, 2008

When I bought my two hole tines... the bins for the single hole was the same price

Come to find out later, it was a buck cheaper... and the bin was just mis-marked

. When I was mounting them I bolted up only one hole and they felt very snug but decided to drill the other hole out to make sure it'll never move. Anyone have the single hole tines? Happy with them?

I would try and make it as wide as you can, but still be able to spin it. I drive up on some rocks so I can spin mine around.