Rake Harley rakes - why so much?

Hoeman00 · Oct 9, 2003

People that have used both are getting longer life out of the ATI carbide teeth, they are larger hence more carbide to wear.
My boss lives 20 miles north of work and I live 18 miles south but I'll ask him to get some pics if he can, there's no way I can shoot i'm working 20+ hours a day now trying to get all my work done.
The guy was over there last nite seeding, he cross seeded w/ pto hopper type seeder then ran the ATI over it running 1/4" or so depth to mix seed and dirt.
I noticed the pics of the rough areas in the brochure, why ???
The dealer down south I was talking to said one of his guys dropped it on a concrete drive while running, he got to replace the drive ( the carbide teeth are the same style as the road mills).

MLB,"don't have anywhere close to the same amount of "good will" as Harley"????? Why??

_RaT_ · Oct 9, 2003

"The pics that guys here posted of a Harley job look better (nicer) than ATI's promotional literature! Is it that "spiral" pattern of the teeth on the roller? "

I noticed the same thing and in fact mentioned in the past that even Harleys video and brochures don't seem to do justice either. I would reserve judgement on the ATI until I actually tried it out. As Hoeman mentions, the larger and longer carbide on the ATI is bound to be a bonus. My biggest difference in opinion may well have to do with the roller vs wheels on the two makes. I am thinking after seeing the ATI video that the tires on my Harley are quite possibly preferable. That was not what my thought was prior to seeing the video from ATI. Seeing the roller on the rear made me think what a great idea in consolidating the material. The fact is, even with the Harley, that material is pretty well consolidated. Both manufactuers are building a nice product. Price may very well end up being the deciding factor that sways the purchaser. It's great though to see the competition, it can only help. Rat...

Rowski · Oct 9, 2003

I have to agree with Rat. I have not seem the ATI video, just the info on the net. But as mentioned pictures don't really show how well the Harley or the ATI work. I have noticed a few things about the ATI. I own a Harley so I'm a bit biased.

1) The cover over the roller. It may help keep the dust down somewhat but the Harley works better in damp conditions. It would seem that with this cover you would be limited in how much "stuff" you can windrow. In my pictures you can see that the windrows are almost as high as your knee.

2) The carbide teeth. The teeth do a number of things not just chew up stuff. They break up hard ground, "golf" the material to knock off the dirt, and the create a waffle effect for a seed bed. The ATI with its pointed teeth would break up hard soil better but would lack in golfing and in the seed bed prep. Also it seems that a pointed carbide tooth would wear faster that a thicker blunt one.

3) The roller in the rear. The soil after Harley raking is fluffy and waffled, the ideal seed bed. The fluffy soil without the waffle is prone to erosion. It is very amazing how much the waffle helps in preventing erosion and speeding seed germination.

Not trying to say a Harley is better than the ATI. These are just things I have noticed in reading this discussion and the ATI info. I would really like to see an ATI work, that is the the only true and fair way for me to compare. Having either one is better than having none!

Rowski · Oct 9, 2003

Here are some more pics of that Harley raking job I did.

Rowski · Oct 9, 2003

Another angle.

MLB · Oct 9, 2003

( People that have used both are getting longer life out of the ATI carbide teeth, they are larger hence more carbide to wear.
My boss lives 20 miles north of work and I live 18 miles south but I'll ask him to get some pics if he can, there's no way I can shoot i'm working 20+ hours a day now trying to get all my work done.
The guy was over there last nite seeding, he cross seeded w/ pto hopper type seeder then ran the ATI over it running 1/4" or so depth to mix seed and dirt.
I noticed the pics of the rough areas in the brochure, why ???
The dealer down south I was talking to said one of his guys dropped it on a concrete drive while running, he got to replace the drive ( the carbide teeth are the same style as the road mills).

MLB,"don't have anywhere close to the same amount of "good will" as Harley"????? Why?? )

Good will in the business sense is "word of mouth". Good things said about a product by those using it.
A great resturant might sell for 200,000. Yet only have 50,000 in hard assets. The remaining value is it's reputation and customer base, it's "good will".
How many folks have sung Harley's praise?
ATI's?
understand?

MLB · Oct 9, 2003

( Another angle. )

That's just beautiful.
Pretty pitiful to wax poetic about some seed prep photos eh? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

_RaT_ · Oct 10, 2003

There you go Derek, finally a shot that gives a little more credit to the abilities of these rakes. Obviously the price will scare off many folks unless you can incorporate it into a business. The results are surely going to please most folks. The time it takes to do it will also benefit anyone needing it done. Certainly anyone interested should attempt to try both ATI and Harley. The folks at ATI were very nice and the folks at Harley are really super. I needed two large springs for my Pro 8. Cost $4.50 each. The shipping was more expensive then the parts.

Hoeman00 · Oct 10, 2003

( Good will in the business sense is "word of mouth". )
I thought u might have had or heard about some bad dealings w/ ATI, so I figured I better check.
I want one but we are about to the end of the seeding season, so if I buy now it'll set til spring.
Going to have to do some adding and see how much $$$ I made so far, may have to buy now to save some tax $$.

MLB · Oct 10, 2003

No, haven't heard anything bad about ATI, haven't heard much of anything either way. That's the "problem" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Not enough user base, or at least on this website.
I'm dealing with two sore shoulders and a very sore left elbow (joint pain). This 44 y/o body can't rake every day anymore (HEAVY raking), thus my extreme interest in a power rake for my business /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Appreciate greatly all the insights! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif