Landscape Rake - Alternatives?

[Kyle241]

I need to clean up an area of about an acre or so that I have cleared, chipped the brush, etc. however there is still a of small branches around and I would like to clean this up. I believe a landscape rake is an ideal attachment, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to buy, use it once and leave it hanging around. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions on the best way to clean this up? Most of the branches are 1-5" in diameter and anywhere from 6"-36" long.

Tks.

 

[hrcarver]

I'd rent one (and remove every other tine) if I could find one for $60 or so.

Could also buy one, use it and sell it and come out about the same. I was gonna do that but its pretty useful for gravel driveways, so I just kept it. Is there any other implement that you can get for so little money?

 

[ducks13]

My drag harrow does a fair job of gather stick and such.

 

[melanelly]

I'm guessing this stuff is too big to just run the bushhog over and mulch it up. If you have a fel uyou might make a rake attachment from angle iron with some cold roll spaces as needed and tack welded to it. Just run along and scoop it up.:thumbsup:

 

[KubotaSam]

Every time I buy something telling myself I am going to use it then sell after I seem to get attached to it and keep it. Not that this is bad, but it just seems to be the way it happens.

 

[DeeDubya]

I don't know if anyone would have a hay rake in your area, but I think either a rotary or wheel rake would do a good job on that material. You could at least windrow it to make it easier to load onto a trailer.

 

[Kyle241]

Tks everyone. I might look at a used drag harrow as it might come in useful for the pasture I'm prepping for next Spring's planting. There is a used one not too far from me.

 

[IslandTractor]

For one acre and a non repeating job, how about just walking and picking the stuff up. Better yet, hire some local kids to pick up the branches while you drive the tractor with bucket/trashcan.

I have tried to do this sort of thing with a landscape rake and it is very frustrating. Bigger stuff causes the rake to jump over, thereby dumping everything, or it drags and digs long streaks in your field. Small stuff can fall out the edges.

Landscape rakes really were not designed to collect debris despite their name. They do a good job of windrowing rocks and leveling land but they are subpar at collecting debris.

Walking is really more efficient so long as you have the tractor bucket nearby to collect what is picked up.

 

[adjusterr]

Google "Ratchet Rake" and check out the video. I bought one and am very pleased with the multiple uses I fond for it. I just recently graded my 2/10 mile rutted gravel driveway in about 30 min. Of course you need a tractor with a bucket on it. IMO it is a great investment at about $300.

 

[IslandTractor]

Google "Ratchet Rake" and check out the video. I bought one and am very pleased with the multiple uses I fond for it. I just recently graded my 2/10 mile rutted gravel driveway in about 30 min. Of course you need a tractor with a bucket on it. IMO it is a great investment at about $300.

I have a RR too but I don't think I would try to clean up branches and other debris from clearing with it. I think of it more as a tool (great) to rip out brush rather than clean up.

 

[jlukem]

For branch debris and not embedded roots, the landscape rake will do great. I typically adjust mine to have the front higher than the rear so i get a bit more of a curl into the ground. They do have a tendency to hop over big stuff if you catch things in a certain way. Same as a hand rake. Just make another pass. I've found I do a lot better with some good speed and several passes in the same direction than to try and take long slow passes.

If there's any roots left, my box blade with the scarifiers extended is what I use.

My landscape rake has several bent tines and even one that's now broken off.

FWIW - the 60" rake was $600 and the Box blade was used and I gave $50 for it.
-Luke