How good or useful is a tractor rake?

[Captain Dirty]

Few of us on TBN have the practice and skill to keep implements on the 3-point of our compact tractors level as the tractor pitches on uneven ground. I'll wager fewer still have draft control on their compact or smaller tractor or even know what draft control does. As many have stated, gauge wheel are almost a necessity with landscape rakes. I concur with their usefulness. I also concur with the practice of less aggressive raking with the tines reversed (concave backwards with respect of direction of travel). A shopper for a rake should be aware of some geometries that may affect these practices.

Can one spin the rake 360° (or 180°)? Some structures may impinge on this. A long rake may not turn when attached, or the parking stand stub may interfere. Other structures may strike the arm between the 3-point and rake swivel. The quickest work-around is to rake "reversed" in reverse. How close are the gauge wheels to the tines? On York rakes the casters do not have clearance between the vertical pin and the tines. On my Land-Pride there is enough room for the wheels to pivot 360°, and the longer arms make for smoother raking but limit some close space maneuverability. This is not an endorsement for either brand but somethings to consider when shopping.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Understanding Draft Control---Here's a thread on draft control. Yes, landscapes rake without it but they tend to raise high spots further and the low spots lower. Draft control is where the magic happens.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/understanding-draft-control.443419/

Thanks. I'll have to read it carefully. When I first got my Deere the hitch arms pulsed up and down so I adjusted draft all the way where it's been ever since.

 

[garry1p]

I suspect one would be OK for gravel, but heavy cut grass limbs and stuff they get to clogged up to quick

 

[Gregster613]

In the 40+ acre corn and straw fields near me, the farmers now come thru with rakes with rear wheels.

The intent is to gather up all the stalks. Take to a paper processor making TP or paper bags. Its no more an issue cutting down the forest making paper when other organic fibers are now collected as renewable resources.

View attachment 4279152

bmaverick, Will you identify which particular brand of rake that is please. Those gauge wheels look like they are readily available for adaption to another rake and they look quite stout also. Thanks Greg

 

[Sportsman762]

bmaverick, Will you identify which particular brand of rake that is please. Those gauge wheels look like they are readily available for adaption to another rake and they look quite stout also. Thanks Greg

Its a Dirt Dog

Rakes Archives - Dirt Dog Manufacturing

www.dirtdogmfg.com

 

[Equatorial Malaise]

I've been learning to use mine as I'm clearing about 50 acres. Generally it does what I want it to but frequently gets jammed up with sticks. I'm going remove some tires as has been suggested here and see how that goes.

 

[WM75Guy]

I bought a 7' Land Pride rake when we cleared out under our trees 18 years ago. I worked OK to pile up the small limbs and such left behind after the dozer finished its work. It has sat since then. I do have gauge wheels. I have other implements for doing dirt work that work better such as a box blade, land plane, arena drag, and drag harrows.

 

[Sportsman762]

I have had good luck using a landscape rake to collect branches and brush. Currently I am in the market for one. It seems folks want to pay more than I want for everything that shows up.