Grading blade or rake

[Carl Bert]

I am going to be topping my lawn with 6" of fresh topsoil this spring. Question I have is, what implement should I buy to do this. I guess my options are landscape rake, grading blade or york rake. I have never used any of these. From what I have read a rake would do a great job, but is very limited for what it can be used for. Any suggestions?

 

[daveinnh]

I would use a landscape rake; York is the Kleenex of brands if we're talking about the same implement.

Make sure you get one with a sturdy cross beam so it won't crimp and adjustable pneumatic tires - the cheap ones don't have them.

 

[Thomas]

Check out rake w/fold down grader blade...tad more dollars but well worth it.

 

[sawduster98]

I just did what you plan on doing in springtime. I had a dozer roughly spread it out, then I used a box blade to even it out and a rake to really clean it up. Thomas' idea of the rake with the blade insert is good. :thumbsup: I have an old rake but it does have wheels and that makes a huge difference.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had been scraping and back grading around my new house for several months trying to get everything leveled and then the rain would show me new holes. I finally bought a landscape rake and with only a couple of passes levelled it out perfectly. I didnt use an gauge wheels, just use the position control on the 3 PH.

 

[BruceWard]

I just did what you plan on doing in springtime. I had a dozer roughly spread it out, then I used a box blade to even it out and a rake to really clean it up. Thomas' idea of the rake with the blade insert is good. :thumbsup: I have an old rake but it does have wheels and that makes a huge difference.

The dozer would compact the soil. The rake would likely break the top free. How did this work with planting grass or did you sod it?

I plan to spread 200 yards of top soil this spring and then plant Zoysia seed. I believe I will get the best growth if the top layer of soil is unpacked an porous. But I want to avoid the top soil washing away.

 

[dmay]

I find a rake to be very versatile. In fact I have no reason to need a blade as a rake acts as a blade quite well for dirt and snow. The separate tines of the rake vibrate. This has the dual effect to break up the surface and what your dragging and leaving behind. Great for levelling driveways, yard sites, horse paddocks, and clearing snow.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Topsoil I prefer the rake.

Gravel I prefer the blade.

If I had could have just one, I would get the blade.

Didn't notice where you are from but, if you deal with snow, the blade again is my tool of choice.