Rake Extra weight on a rake?

[ShenandoahJoe]

There are some parts of my gravel drive, where it seems like the rake just gets pushed up so it skids along the surface. I wonder if adding some weight to the landscape rake would help. What do you think? Good idea, or does it work against the springiness of the tines?

 

[sweettractors]

It may help some, however, you may have broken tines in your future. Have you changed the length of your toplink to make the rake more or less agressive? Ken Sweet

 

[Johndeere3720]

It may help some, however, you may have broken tines in your future. Have you changed the length of your toplink to make the rake more or less agressive? Ken Sweet

make sure the top link is in it's shortest position to get more dig.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I have thought about adding weight to my rear blade from time to time. Haven't done it...yet.

Try your top link in different positions....short and long. Go Slow.

Another thing to try is do the work in the rain or when the ground is damp or even wet. (not muddy) Gravel in particular is much easier to work when it has rained.

Also, I prefer a rear blade to get my gravel driveway the way I like it. It digs better. Dirt or loam I prefer a rake.

 

[djradz]

There are some parts of my gravel drive, where it seems like the rake just gets pushed up so it skids along the surface. I wonder if adding some weight to the landscape rake would help. What do you think? Good idea, or does it work against the springiness of the tines?

Weight should help - not sure if the top link angle will do much until it get's loaded up. What I've found makes a big difference is ANGLING the rake. Putting an angle on it will help it to dig as the tines take on a bit of a 'plowing' function.

Lastly, you'll probably also find, as many others have stated here and on other "rake" threads, that the rake works best after a rain or in the spring when there's more moisture in the ground.

 

[MMagis]

make sure the top link is in it's shortest position to get more dig.

Wouldn't that be backwards?

 

[teg]

Wouldn't that be backwards?

That's what I was wondering, too... Extending it would dig in more. I guess it depends on which way you are driving or which way the rake is facing (since they can spin around).

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Wouldn't that be backwards?

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

I was thinking the same thing.....that's why I posted to try it long AND short.

Who knows, maybe the kid is right.??....Many of his posts are right on target.

Carry on.

 

[Johndeere3720]

yes. Having it in the shortest position will make it dig better since there is more of an angle to the tines/blade. Lengthening it will make a less agressive pass. It is like a boxblade, shorten the toplink for more pressure on the scarfier teeth and the cutting edge. Lengthen it and it will have more of a back blading effect to the ground where there is more "grade" rather than dig. You can see in my picture of my rake, the top link is about 1/4 from being in the shortest position. If it were shorter, there would be more dig due to the greater angle on the tines.

 

[zzvyb6]

I usually have 6 suitcase weights on the front weightbar of my tractor. It just so happens that they fit perfectly on the side links of my rake, too. It really helps the rake dig if you set it at a 45 degree angle first. This usually put more weight on the outside (leading) edge of the toothbar. My Arps rake has extra attachment point to put the gauge wheels on the front side of the teeth, but I use the rear mounts. I've bolted on some 1" by 12" by 15" steel plate to these points and she digs like a road grader now.

I didn't paint the steel add ons, so I can't post pictures for fear of getting flack from the Suburbanites who pulled the triggers on their CUTe Botoxs, Lawn Mores and Wheel Barrels.

 

[wedge40]

I will post pictures later, but I have two 38lb cat litter pails filled with cement, about 80lbs each bolted to my rake. Makes a huge difference. Now I haven't used it on the drive, but rather raking lawn and dirt.

Wedge

 

[MMagis]

yes. Having it in the shortest position will make it dig better since there is more of an angle to the tines/blade.

That's the exact opposite effect that I've seen.

 

[Bill Hoffman]

When I want a more aggressive cut with my rake, I lengthen the
top link so the rake tines tend to dig in more, steeper angle of attack. For light dressing, shorten the link and the tines don't dig in as well. They tend to slide along the top of the soil. This works great for picking up branches, etc, without the rake digging into the soil.

Bill

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

That's the way I've always done it, but I can see what JD3270's saying. Never thought of trying to dig in with that upper edge. I'll give it a try. Thanks, all!

 

[paul dyar]

Mine digs in more when I lengthen the top link.
Paul