Dethatcher home made or CMP unit?

Scaper · Sep 15, 2013

I guess I should have posted this question here first. I know some of the members have made the unit Madreferee designed but I have no idea how they worked. So I have been looking around and came up with the following choices.

Make it from Madreferee's design
Buy the CMP unit or
Buy the pine straw rake from Everything Attachements.

What are some thoughts or feed back from homemade or CMP?

Thamks, Mark

94BULLITT · Sep 17, 2013

I don't know if you can build a detatcher for what CMP sell theirs for.

Scaper · Sep 17, 2013

I think you my be right Roger about cost. I found the dethacther tines for $4.69 each thats 75 plus for them. I have a steel liq. company local and stell needed would be (approximate the young lady said) $83 then having it welded maybe another $50 plus paint, primer and misc bolts,washers and nylon nuts another let's say $35 thats about $243. Now that stated it would be heavier made and I wouldn't have to add weight. Oh but I didn't factor in time gas to run around to get everything and time putting it together. I'm just concerned that the GMP (although it has had some nice reviews on their site) may be a bit light duty.I believe the gentleman stated that the frame is 11 gauge tubing but he did state that he has been using the same dethatcher for the past seven years without fail. Well bottom line is that if no one here says anything bad about the CMP it may be the way for me to go. Plus it's free shipping.
Thanks for the imput, Mark

94BULLITT · Sep 17, 2013

I am going to build one myself. I have some 1x1 that was left over from a job I did from a customer. I am going to use that as the frame, like the CMP. I have some other misc. metal that I can come up with something for the hitching points. I have been looking at John Deere 327 baler teeth.John Deere Baler Teeth E41833 | Fits Models 327, 336, 337, 346. 347, 467, 468 I found them at the local JD dealer for $2.50. I am hoping to build mine for $100. If you think you can have a better unit built for about the same money that is probably the best way to go.

Scaper · Sep 19, 2013

Well Roger I found out the real cost for the steel I need and it's alot less then I was quoted from the same dealer. I was told around $83 and it turns out it will be about $36 for 2x2x3/16 angle or $28 for 11/4x11/4 x1/8 box or $24 for 1x1x1/8 box tubing. It looks like I can build it for around $125 with tines and all hardwear. A friend asked why I would pay to have it welded since he welds and will do it for free or a few cold beverages if you know what I mean. So it's off to the steel dealer for me this weekend. I already have a 3pt 2" reciever for tractor so I'll just fab the main frame with a side in welded to the frame so I can hook up and go. The reciever is very H/D so that will add about 40 or so pounds to the unit. I may end up around 75 to 80 pounds in all. Mark

IMCA38 · Sep 23, 2013

For what it's worth, and you may have seen my earlier posts when I built this.
I built a rake loosely based on Mad Referee's design, using material I had on hand, except for the rake teeth and caster wheels.
I originally set it up to use the wheels, but I can't tell you the last time I've had them on it.
I intentionally built it to stick out a ways from the tractor because I have a lot of evergreen trees.
It works nice to back up under the trees, drop the rake and drag out big piles of pine needles.
If you have any questions, let me know.