Harley Rake?

[Ken_CT]

I live in CT where we have no shortage of rocks. Reading other posts, many people believe that renting a harley rake is the best way to get them out of your yard. I will be putting down more top soil and will have to dig out the larger (beachball size) rocks first.
I am new to tractors, and I have learned a great deal from this forum. After much discussion with the CFO I will be going to the dealer today for a written quote on (and probably buying) a bx23. My question is, being that I have never seen a harley rake, Could someone post a picture of one, and will it be ok with the bx23? I have about an acre of land that I will be using it on, slightly sloped in areas, and full of rocks.
I can't believe how psyched I am about getting this tractor (toy)! All sorts of project in the works.

 

[Junkman]

I don't have a picture of a Harley Rake, but I can tell you that they work great. Just had my field done this past week. Took them 2 days with a Skid Steer and front mounted Harley. I also know after spending some time at the Harley Rake website, that they don't make one small enough to be used on a BX23. I haven't seen one operate on a tractor yet, but it does take a lot of power to move rocks. More than the BX23 has. You can dig out the larger rocks, but getting them out of the hole can be a problem. Yesterday, I dug out a rock and had it loose, but couldn't lift it out of the hole and where it was, I wasn't going to continue trying. It was on the side of the hill and I was pointed downhill. I figured I might get it moving, but I might also be going down hill with it if something went wrong. Decided it could stay and I would go.
Depending on where in CT you live, there is a TBN member that has a Harley Rake and might do the job for you. Fill in your profile or send me a PM with your town and I can give you more information....

 

[Mayhem]

heres a couple pictures,They are incredible for how simple they look

 

[Mayhem]

heres another one

 

[aardvark]

Could someone be good enough to explain how that Harley Rake works? I just can't see it. Does is rotate opposite the direction of travel and kick rocks up out the front or something? Thanks.

 

[Junkman]

It carries the rocks behind the spinning drum and throws the soil through the slit on the to of the rake to create a smooth area. This operation can be reversed to carrying the rocks in front of the drum also. Depends on what direction you are moving. If you angle the rake, it will windrow them. If the rock is too large to pop out of the ground, it will bounce over it. The one that worked at my home, was able to remove slightly larger than basketball sized rocks. Amazing machine, but I can see how they can take a beating if not used properly.

 

[aardvark]

How far into the ground does the rotating drum go? Half the drum diameter? The full drum diameter? Other depth? Thanks.

 

[Junkman]

It skims the surface going about 1 or 2 inches at a time. I believe that it can go down about 6 inches total. On mine, they went down about 3 inches and the amount of rocks that came up was astonishing. If they had gone any deeper, it might have lowered the field by a few inches if all the rocks were removed. They removed about 30 yards of rocks total.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

The BX23 would be too light for the Harley rake. Harley's weigh in the 800 lbs.+ range and your BX lifts less than 700 lbs. on the three-point hitch
If you need to use one it would be better to rent a larger tractor & the rake together as a package. Or, you could use a spring-type landscape rake. It will take you longer and may not produce as nice a job, but it will allow you to use your own tractor (investment).

 

[farmerpsv]

Hey all,

good stuff. on another post about grading gravel roads someone posted an article called "a ditch in time" about grading and maintaining roads. in the article they say that a front mounted rock rake is great for grading/maintaining the crown on a road. anyone have any experience with this?
thanks
paul