Rake Is a Harley power Rake worth the $$$???

kch · Jan 16, 2003

I am trying to justify the purchase of a Harley Rake. Not having ever seen one in action are they worth $6000 ??? Or would a box blade, York rake, and pulverizer for 1/2 the price be better? What are the pro's and con's ???? Help!!!

beenthere · Jan 16, 2003

Harley power rakes are worth the money if you have the work to do. I wouldn't think one would buy one unless in the landscaping business. I know some who are, and they wouldn't have anything else - if held to just one thing.

For my landscaping work, I wait until I need one and then rent it. Much easier on the pocketbook, and leaves something for other toys, I mean attachments. And I don't have to find a place to store it either (probably my biggest deterrent to more toys, second only to $$$).

BurningtreeFarm · Jan 16, 2003

I think it is definately a great tool and I have an older one that Iam considering selling, its a six foot pro model with double rollers and the bottom roller is the straight bars as apposed to the carbide dimples on the newer ones. Tim

ScottAR · Jan 16, 2003

When one is looking for an excuse, any will do... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Seriously, rent one and see if it does what ya want. If yes, and the CFO is willing, pull the trigger. If no, The $$$ wasn't wasted and other equipment can be tested/purchased. Even if ya had to rent a skidsteer with it, (a popular mounting and one rental places are likely to have) ,you should still be money ahead.

kch · Jan 16, 2003

When one is looking for an excuse, any will do...

I like that!!!

JATO_RaT · Jan 17, 2003

I use the Pro 8, an 8' model with the double rollers. I have posted here before and mentioned it is the single coolest attachment I use. It will do mild grading and move a ton of material including large basketball size rocks. Does an incredible job of leveling both side to side and parallel as it uses gauge wheels. Does a splendid job of raking out debris and breaks up the clods to a fine texture. As great as that is, I would love to try the new style carbide dimple roller, it looks even more awesome. I wish the price was a lot less, but hey, once you have used one your going to be very hooked so be careful. Rat....

markie61 · Jan 17, 2003

I hired a guy with one on the front of his NH skidsteer to do about 2 acres after tree removal and stump grinding - pretty cool. It leveled and cleaned a much cleaner and faster than a box rake or scraper.
Mark

Spencer · Jan 17, 2003

I have never seen one used but if I had $6,000 to spend I would be out backhoe shopping.

beenthere · Jan 17, 2003

Spencer
A harley rake won't dig trenches or holes, or remove stumps. It levels the ground, often in one pass, leaving ready-to-seed dirt behind. The fine dirt spills over the roller with the nubs, and the debris keeps being worked forward (or off to the side in a windrow if the rake is angled) for easy pickup with the FEL. Depending on what job you want to do, the Harley rake is a good choice for landscaping a rough graded area.

BeeBop · Jan 17, 2003

I have used a Harley rake more than a few times and will tell you it is a wonderful attachment if used correctly and enough times. I personally like my tractor model best as it won't ever stall due to hydraulic pressure or lack thereof when the rake picks up so much debris on a skid steer and yes, all skid steers do it. The tractor model is easier to use as you can angle it at will w/your remote outlets, you do have them...right? With the tractor the guage wheels are all that is visible after your pass. To do this w/a skid steer you must turn around and drive backwards while reversing your hydraulic flow. The best results can be obtained by making a pass w/a good 7 or 9 shank cultivator and then apply the Harley rake. It takes countless hours operating this attachment before you can get productive. I say buy it man, it is a very wise investment.