Howse Landscape Rake on BX22

Junkman · Apr 27, 2004

Some people have asked me to post pictures of the landscape rake when I go around to mounting it. After some long procrastination, I hooked it up today and gave it a try. Since I also have a York Branded landscape rake, I have a reference point as to the use.
The York is easier to turn than the Howse when you are doing angling and putting the pin retainer back in each time is a nuisance that I don't have to put up with the York rake. I have decided that I could leave the retaining pin out if I put a safety chain on the pin itself, so if it does fall out (not likely) that I won't loose it. My Howse rake didn't come with the wheel kit, and after a days use, I realize that they are a must have option if you are going to be using the rake to finish an area for lawn. The York rake that I have does have them, but I don't need them because it doesn't dig in as much as the Howse. The Howse is definitely much heavier and better suited for rough work, where as the York brand is better at finish work. My York also has drop down ripper teeth (scarifier) and a drop down leveling blade. Both are nice additions that are not offered on the Howse. In fact, I have not seen these options on any other brand, but then I am not an expert on the various brands that are available. The Howse is great at tearing out large rocks and carrying them off to the side when the blade is angled. It also carries a large amount of soil along with it. Possibly removing every other tooth might alleviate this. Overall, I can see where it has its advantages and considering the price is a third of the cost of the York brand for the same size, I would say that it is a "Best Buy". I am ordering the wheel kit this evening, because without it, you are digging deeper than you might want to.

Junkman · Apr 27, 2004

Turned sideways as if you were going to reverse it. In this picture it is full up and you can see that the clearance at the leading edge is enough that it doesn't hit the ground.

Junkman · Apr 27, 2004

Here it is in the full down position. Even though it sticks out further to the rear than the York brand, it is still very controllable getting around obstacles. I had an area to rake that is full of large trees and I was able to navigate close to them, without hitting them. The BX22 has plenty of power to pull what ever the rake can gather in front of it. Most of the time, I was able to operate the rake in 2 wheel drive.

Junkman · Apr 27, 2004

Here is the rake hooked up to the tractor. It is heavy and it wasn't the easiest to hook up when you are doing it alone. I think that a trailer jack might make it easier to deal with and with the wheel kit, it might just make the rake a breeze to move around the yard when not attached to the tractor. This is something that I will be experimenting with at a later date.

SteveH_CT · Apr 28, 2004

Thanks for the pics Junkman. How does the York rake differ physically from the Howse? I'm going to be renting a York rake - probably next weekend to do some grading and rock removal.

BTW - You didn't sell your tractor huh??? I thought you were going to get something else?

Have a Good One! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Junkman · Apr 28, 2004

The York brand is lighter by about 1/2 or 1/3 the weight. The Howse is great for rock pulling, and actually is better at that than the York brand, however I haven't pulled the York brand rake with the Kubota yet, so there may be some differance in the tractor's abilitiy also.