Harley Rake [skidsteer]

[1gr8bldr]

I have purchased an 8ft Harley rake. In good shape except.... the float bars, the connections. Apparently the extra size and weight of the eight footer is more force than the typical six footer, because the holes are rounded out pretty bad. I could weld over each hole with a quarter inch washer to fix.... but I got to thinking. Do I want the float feature? The bobcat brand soil conditioner I have been renting does not have this. Do I even want the tires? I see how the tires can let you micro manage the lift in that it would only move half as much acting like the handles of a wheel barrow. But other than helping it to stand on it's own, do I want that? The float feature lets it ride the ground with it's own weight, with no weight from the skidsteer... which is good because the drum will stop spinning if you try to dig with it. I don't think I need to push it down, but I want instant control to lift... I am thinking out loud, trying to decide how to fab this thing. It came with a Gehl hookup plate which does not fit my Bobcat. So I plan to cut this off and weld on a Bobcat plate, While doing this, I need to decide whether to go back float{Harley Style] or fixed [Bobcat style]. Any input to help me think this through would be appreciated

 

[Cord]

Keep the gauge wheels. These are really hard to control without them.

 

[Tags]

I would eliminate the "floating linkage" and solid mount the attachment plate to the rake. I would not eliminate the gauge wheels as Iowans said above it will be very hard to keep a consistent grade without them. If you go online Google paladin then search Harley rake and you will find pretty good parts breakdowns of how they mount the attachment plates with out the floating feature.