If you use a box blade you will be snagging on every root. Remove the organic debris first then try and level if needed.Box blade with the rippers down first and then the landscape rake?
I have a 7ft landscape rake with no gauge wheels. I used it for years with all the times in. I then removed every other time, it's a far better tool now. When you have every time in the spacing is just to small and it starts to act like a back blade real quick. Adding a 100lb suitcase weight over the pivot also changes how well it works.