DIY Ratchet Rake

[davcog]

Like I said, Kubota orange is definitely a consideration, but kinda expensive to just rub in the dirt.



Check TBN there have been lots of posts about different paints that match Kubota Orange for way less $$.

 

[High Compression]

:laughing: Guess I could paint every other tooth orange.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

H-C,

Have you mounted the new one on your bucket yet...If so, Can you post a picture ??

Thanks!!

.

 

[duroc]

H-C,

Have you mounted the new one on your bucket yet...If so, Can you post a picture ??

Thanks!!

.

He shows a few pictures of the new one on page 2 - Post #14

 

[High Compression]

H-C,

Have you mounted the new one on your bucket yet...If so, Can you post a picture ??

Thanks!!

.

I was just getting ready to go to the shop and put the new one on now that the paint is dry. I'll try it out along the fence in the gravel lot at the shop too. I'll take pix of the RR before I use it. I'll also take pix of the weeds along the fence before and after. I'll try to post them tonight. If not, first thing in the A.M.

Thanks
Andy

 

[High Compression]

Here are the requested pix of the finished product and trial. It only took me 20 min to clean up about 250 ft of fence line. The side grabbers worked really well for getting up close to the fence.

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[ericher69]

Looks good!

Any problem with snagging the fence or any other unintended objects?

Care to share your patterns?

 

[GPintheMitten]

Don't forget guys, the Ratchet Rake is patented. My guess is you can build one for yourself, but not for profit.

 

[High Compression]

Looks good!

Any problem with snagging the fence or any other unintended objects?

Care to share your patterns?

Thank you! No, but I was very careful, especially because it's my neighbors fence. :laughing: But I was able to get very close and even under in a few spots eliminating a lot of hand work.

 

[High Compression]

Don't forget guys, the Ratchet Rake is patented. My guess is you can build one for yourself, but not for profit.

You are absolutely correct! And knowing what it takes to build, you wouldn't be able to sell them for less than what the Ratchet Rake Company sells them for. Actually probably more.
I built this for my own use. There isn't a single TSC in the greater Kansas City area that carries a 72" RR. So building my own with some trial and error showed me what worked and didn't, and what improvements that could be made as far as design. I posted my build primarily for entertainment of my fellow TBN'rs and possibly inspiration for those that can't justify the cost and have the tools and skill to make their own.
I enjoy making odds and end attachments to make my life more efficient. The real joy is completing something and going to try it out. Even if fails miserably, it's very exciting. I always learn something new and the day you stop learning is the day you die.
So good luck, happy tractoring, be safe and have fun. :thumbsup:

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Here are the requested pix of the finished product and trial. It only took me 20 min to clean up about 250 ft of fence line. The side grabbers worked really well for getting up close to the fence.

That looks nice!!!... Great lookin' job!!!:thumbsup:

Nice pictures too!!!... I like the ''side grabbers''!!

I've never used a ''Ratchet Rake'', and none of the TSC stores in my area stocks them!... So if I want one, I'll have to build my own!

Thanks Andy for posting the pictures!!

Bill

 

[High Compression]

That looks nice!!!... Great lookin' job!!!:thumbsup:

Nice pictures too!!!... I like the ''side grabbers''!!

I've never used a ''Ratchet Rake'', and none of the TSC stores in my area stocks them!... So if I want one, I'll have to build my own!

Thanks Andy for posting the pictures!!

Bill

Your very welcome. If you decide to build one let me know and I will try to save you from any mistakes that I made and or improvements that I would suggest after using mine. :cool2:

 

[High Compression]

Just an update. I've put Bravo through the ringer and no worse for wear. I pulled out 250 ft of bushes in 20 min. Then prepped the 250' x 6' area for sod in an hour and a half, by myself. All thanks to the RR. Oh, tried to get a 6" tree stump out. No luck, but no damage either. I know the stump was too aggressive, but I wanted to see if I would bend or break anything.

 

[Artisan]

Don't forget guys, the Ratchet Rake is patented. My guess is you can build one for yourself, but not for profit.

Patent Schmatent....

Alls it takes is a lil chep steel and 11 dozen factory workers in China to
produce 11 thousand of them , they saturate the marketplace w/ them for
pennies on the dollar, and when you get wind of it you now hire an
international attorney FIRM and pray you filed for international patents from
jump street. After 70-90 THOUSAND dollars in attorneys fees your sucessful
in shutting them down. They close there doors and sell the tooling and plans
and take all employees to there brothers place around the block, who just
started his 13th company and they do it all over again...


LotsAluck w/ that patent thing... It's wrong, it blows but it happens all the time.

 

[Artisan]

Just an update. I've put Bravo through the ringer and no worse for wear. I pulled out 250 ft of bushes in 20 min. Then prepped the 250' x 6' area for sod in an hour and a half, by myself. All thanks to the RR. Oh, tried to get a 6" tree stump out. No luck, but no damage either. I know the stump was too aggressive, but I wanted to see if I would bend or break anything.

Sure would like to see a You-Yube of it w/ someone walking in front as you drive...great job...

 

[Ken45101]

Wonderful project

I'm just starting to learn welding. I guess this gives me a good reason to buy a plasma cutter so that I can save money :laughing:

Did you start out with 5/8" angle iron, or was that fabbed out of flat stock?

Ken

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Your very welcome. If you decide to build one let me know and I will try to save you from any mistakes that I made and or improvements that I would suggest after using mine. :cool2:

Thanks!!!, Andy.

I'll do that if I have any problems!!!

Bill

 

[Ken45101]

I know the RR is very versatile. But as a home project, I am starting to think about a bolt on v-toothed cutting edge that would use the exiting bolt holes in the bucket. It wouldn't be as quick as a strap on but, depending on the tooth design might be very good for grubbing out brush and then a smooth backdrag. At least initially I wouldn't have the lower vee tooth blade underneath but that could be added later.

There is a commercial outfit that sells a blade like that although the RR is a fraction of the cost.

Of course, buying a heavy piece of steel to make something like this would probably be more expensive than buying the RR, especially on the clearance sale prices. But still, it would be a nice project.

Ken

 

[High Compression]

Sure would like to see a You-Yube of it w/ someone walking in front as you drive...great job...

I'll work on that. :thumbsup:

 

[High Compression]

Wonderful project

I'm just starting to learn welding. I guess this gives me a good reason to buy a plasma cutter so that I can save money :laughing:

Did you start out with 5/8" angle iron, or was that fabbed out of flat stock?

Ken

I started with 5/8" 4" x 6" x 80" angle. Look back on page two of this thread for pix. Apparently it would take over a 400 Ton press and the right dies to bend 80" of 5/8" at a 90 deg right angle. My buddy has a 200 Ton and he wouldn't even try it. So... Angle it was. :laughing: