Implement for removing rocks?

[Ord]

Hi all,

we recently had trenches dug for the installation of a geothermal heat pump, and some of this goes through area that used to be lawn. After the backfill, there are a lot of small rocks on the surface. Is there an implement I can pull behind our BX1860 that can rake these up? In all there is about 800 feet of this, but I can probably leave half of it as is because it goes through brush that we won't mow.

 

[RadarTech]

I have seen many use a rake like this:
CountyLine Landscape Rake, 6 ft. - 2128325 | Tractor Supply Company

but it will be based on the size of the rock too though...

J

 

[jb62901]

This is what I have found best for rocks, twigs, roots and branches. 60" KK BX

http://i46.tinypic.com/2i7bvq8.jpg

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

RatchetRake goes on front bucket.
Ratchet Rake, LLC - Tractor attachment, Bucket attachment, Loader, Skid loader, Kubota, Skid steer, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction attachment, New Holland, Bobcat, Fire safety,

 

[Ord]

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[leonz]

Hi all,

we recently had trenches dug for the installation of a geothermal heat pump, and some of this goes through area that used to be lawn. After the backfill, there are a lot of small rocks on the surface. Is there an implement I can pull behind our BX1860 that can rake these up? In all there is about 800 feet of this, but I can probably leave half of it as is because it goes through brush that we won't mow.

Hello Ord,


A three point hitch landscape rake 3 to 4 feet wide will level it quickly and by unlocking the rake and turning it left or right to the last position and relocking it you can level the entire length and then pick up the rocks/roots etc as they are in a windrow to one side or the other.


If you have a trailer you could pick or fork rocks and throw them in the trailer to dispose of them later.


The smaller width of the rake will be less of a load on the BX as the rake will fill quickly and you will have to lift and move forward to start again if you use the full width where if you made very small passes each time it will run till the end and then you can decide how to handle the rocks left on the surface.



You could pull the rake a hundred feet and then rake all the rocks to one pile and then scoop up the rocks.

leonz

 

[Ord]

Hi Leonz,

thanks for the detailed instructions. From what I have read, it seems that the landscape rake would also be good for taking care of the gravel driveway. I'll let you all know how it works out.

 

[leonz]

Hi Leonz,

thanks for the detailed instructions. From what I have read, it seems that the landscape rake would also be good for taking care of the gravel driveway. I'll let you all know how it works out.

The rakes are very handy to have, and work well if you need a lot of work done.

The york rakes folks have or did have a smaller rake on wheels that was very heavy and cleared the ground nicely, you might want to check thier web page to see if a small wheeled rake is something that they still sell as it did wonders for me when I rented it 30 years ago- saying that if you can buy a larger wheeled rake from york thats a five footer you will make good ground as the rear wheels help to maintain the hieght and reduce the effort needed to pull it.


leonz

 

[BigD23]

After I box blade my driveway (1,000') I go over it with my landscape rake...Makes a very nice finishing touch.

Don

 

[beenthere]

Hard to beat just back dragging with a bucket edge, and picking up the rocks by hand.

Farmers around here do their farm fields (like 40 - 100 acres) each spring by hand. It is an annual ritual.

Renting a Harley Rake if that is possible, would do it quickly and leave the dirt ready to seed.

 

[Tom_H]

I would use this:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200356625_200356625

Here are some other possibilities:

http://www.ezattachments.com/id35.htm

http://www.gearmore.com/products/Cat_Pg13.pdf

As for a ratchet rake, I have never used one, so I say the following admittedly with no experience. I would have a concern about abrasion wearing through the straps. On the other hand, you do not need to drill new holes in the bucket to mount the thing. Perhaps JT or others can address the abrasion issue.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I would use this:

Northern Industrial 3-Pt. Landscape Rake — 4Ft.L | Category 1 Disc Harrows + Rakes | Northern Tool + Equipment

Here are some other possibilities:

EZ LANDSCAPER ATTACHMENT

http://www.gearmore.com/products/Cat_Pg13.pdf

As for a ratchet rake, I have never used one, so I say the following admittedly with no experience. I would have a concern about abrasion wearing through the straps. On the other hand, you do not need to drill new holes in the bucket to mount the thing. Perhaps JT or others can address the abrasion issue.

The straps are now only on the top, the bottom strap is a wire cable but it doesn't touch the ground to abrade anyway. The bucket is tipped forward to utilize the teeth. The big teeth on the front are great for brush cleaning and the narrower/smaller teeth on the lower edge is for cleaning and leveling out the ground usually with bucket lowered and tipped then back drug.

 

[Singlecoil]

If the rocks are small, like golf ball size or so, the rake probably won't do much good. If you have some scrap chain link fence you can strap that to the bottom of a rake or box blade and that works pretty well for smoothing and collecting small stuff.