Homemade gauge wheels for rake

kruszert · Mar 17, 2010

Geek,

Nice job on the gage wheels. I have been looking at and reading about landscape rakes - - lots of talk about good vs. poor quality tines. How is the TSC rake/tines? Is it working okay for you? It is reasonabley priced compaired to others but I worried about the tines not being good quality. I am cleaning up a couple acres, tilling, adding fill and want to rake out roots & branches then smooth things out and figured a rake was the right tool with the wheels. You're right about the cost of the wheels - - it seems way out of line.

I thought about making a rake but after reading a post on making a rake I decided it was way too much work and time vs. buyng one. Even thou the homemade rake was of much better quality.

Reggie

spo307 · Mar 17, 2010

I COULDNT SEE SPENDING 1900 BUCKS ON A RAKE THAT HAS NO HYDRAULIC LINE, PISTON, PTO ETC. SO I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING ONE WITH A HYDRAULIC TINE BAR SWIVEL. I JUST ORDERED 35 TWO HOLE TINES FRO AGRI SUPPLY, HOPE THERE GOOD

Window Geek · Mar 18, 2010

Reggie,
I pretty happy with my TSC rake. Now I'm pulling it with my not too big tractor 28 HP, but it's done well. I have a small lot that needed work (3/4 acre). The local folks wanted $400 to rent a power rake for a day. I called and asked if it would work on my Kubota. "Oh sure!"
Went to get it and it was a Cat 2 monster. Never mind. Went to TSC and got one on a grand opening sale 10% off. Had the lot done in a weekend, saved money, and got to keep the rake.
The tines are fine. I've got pretty rocky soil. It's an old granite quarry. I've moved some hidden rocks a few times without bending anything.
I happy with it. It's good for general raking, brush collecting, and a quick way to clear ground before brush burning.

davygp38 · Mar 18, 2010

How is it that I can never think of something so useful, and simple to make. Good job

srjones · Mar 18, 2010

Regaring the foam/air HF wheels, they are pretty cheap and will become worthless in short order.

This year I swapped out the air tires with solid rubber tires (also from HF) It wasn't exactly straight forward, so there were a few extra things I needed to do.

When I take some pictures, I'll try (remember) to get this one too.

srjones · Mar 18, 2010

The thread for reference.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/89717-gauge-wheels.html

Window Geek · Mar 22, 2010

Runner!
I like the super adjustable set up on your wheels for the blade! That's a nice set up. Those wheel sets look real familiar...

Runner · Mar 23, 2010

I'm getting ready to re-do those gauge wheels. I messed up and used the lighter gauge tubing instead of trailer hitch type stuff. As is, they are a little too flexy.

Even so, they do work quite well. I use them grading the gravel drive (and plowing snow, obviously).

I'm also going to make up some mounts so I can use them on my landscape rake. That's a project for this summer.

sixdogs · Mar 23, 2010

Runner said:
Window Geek,

Nice work on the gauge wheels. Hope you have better luck than I did with the HF air-filled tires. I originally had them on my gauge wheels and one blew out within about the first half hour of operation. I have since switched over to solid tires.

So gauge wheels work well in snow? I've been looking for a way to plow the few inches of snow we get here without getting into the gravel. I actually plow with an eight ft landscape rake and it works better than a blade.