_RaT_
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2000
- Messages
- 5,813
- Location
- Peoples Republic of Northern CA.
- Tractor
- Kioti 3510-SE HST
MLB, I'll let Rowski speak for himself about the T-8 rake since mine is the Pro 8, but from a functioning point of view, I believe they are going to be very similar with the exception that mine will have a bunch of hydraulic rams on it where as Dereks T-8 is far simpler and of course has the superior studded roller which mine lacks. Should you ever consider one, the T-6 or T-8 is what I would consider, not the Pro model.
The learning curve is a fraction of that with a boxscraper. I rate it right between using a mower and a boxscraper but closer to the mower. The rear gauge wheels see to that.
When mine comes across buried objects that it cannot move it simply rides right over it lifting the 3 pt hitch. It will move as big of a boulder as the tractor can pass over or can physically fit between the 3 pt setup and the ground. That means on mine about a large beach ball boulder when partially submerged.
On my rake, the rollers when spinning make no noise, I cannot hear them at all. Once they engage the ground, the noise level is determined by the debris. It is still very minimal however. When I hit a non movable rock, it shutters. The shutter is simply the roller skipping on the rock and does not do any damage. Even after 10 years, my roller is still in great shape. It has been used extensively in an area around a volcano (Mt Lassen formerly Mt Tehama in N. California) where there are literally millions of rocks. It has performed flawlessly there.
Again, the learning curve I have felt has been grossly exaggerated. I had a little bit more of a curve on my terrain simply because some of the slope is so steep. I found out that I need to pull it uphill for best leveling results. By pulling it, the high and low areas are more effectively dealt with. On the Harley, the gauge wheels are set well behind the rake allowing for superb leveling. I typically make 3 or 4 passes depending on soil conditions. Moist soil is a dream to work with, dry is miserable as its dusty and does not homogenize well. Muddy will work but the rake is less effective. Rat..
P.S. this slope stuff is also where 4WD is a real bonus. I could not imagine doing it on my 2WD tractor.
The learning curve is a fraction of that with a boxscraper. I rate it right between using a mower and a boxscraper but closer to the mower. The rear gauge wheels see to that.
When mine comes across buried objects that it cannot move it simply rides right over it lifting the 3 pt hitch. It will move as big of a boulder as the tractor can pass over or can physically fit between the 3 pt setup and the ground. That means on mine about a large beach ball boulder when partially submerged.
On my rake, the rollers when spinning make no noise, I cannot hear them at all. Once they engage the ground, the noise level is determined by the debris. It is still very minimal however. When I hit a non movable rock, it shutters. The shutter is simply the roller skipping on the rock and does not do any damage. Even after 10 years, my roller is still in great shape. It has been used extensively in an area around a volcano (Mt Lassen formerly Mt Tehama in N. California) where there are literally millions of rocks. It has performed flawlessly there.
Again, the learning curve I have felt has been grossly exaggerated. I had a little bit more of a curve on my terrain simply because some of the slope is so steep. I found out that I need to pull it uphill for best leveling results. By pulling it, the high and low areas are more effectively dealt with. On the Harley, the gauge wheels are set well behind the rake allowing for superb leveling. I typically make 3 or 4 passes depending on soil conditions. Moist soil is a dream to work with, dry is miserable as its dusty and does not homogenize well. Muddy will work but the rake is less effective. Rat..
P.S. this slope stuff is also where 4WD is a real bonus. I could not imagine doing it on my 2WD tractor.
