Grading Landscape rake guage wheels

InThePines · Feb 24, 2011

I am going to purchase a landscape / root rake and am trying to figure out if the guage wheels provide much extra benefit. Has anyone used a rake with guage wheels that feels they are necessary? I have a gravel drive to keep clean and level and I am also clearing some areas of trees and find that my box blade gets full of roots and small limbs, so I want to rake first. I really like the Leinbach 6ft for my L3700.

Runner · Feb 24, 2011

If I were buying a rake that had gauge wheels as an option, I would buy them in a heartbeat. I have a KK rake and will be adapting my rear blade gauge wheels to work on there this summer.

In my opinion, rakes and rear blades are just about worthless for grading or snow removal on gravel drives without gauge wheels.

People will say that I just don't know how to use it, and maybe that's true, but I don't see any way to get a smooth driveway without the wheels.

Good luck on your purchase.

ccsial · Feb 24, 2011

I bought a rake at our local farm store with no wheels. It would dig in going over the low and high spots. I ordered wheels from a different brand at the Ford dealer and welded them on and repainted to match my Ford. They made a nice difference in grading my gravel trail.

I have since added a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet to the front to keep the gravel from beaning me. They come out of there like a sling shot.

sawduster98 · Feb 24, 2011

I broke one of my gauge wheels off hitting a large rock, that's when you realize how important they are! Well worth the $$$! I suppose there are some things you could do without them, just much better with them.

Johndeere3720 · Feb 24, 2011

I have thought of making some for my landscape rake but haven't since i have some on my rear blade. they are a very very useful addition to my rear blade, it allows me to plow snow without digging to deep, grade gravel and let some under the blade, and more precisely grade. They also area great parking stand when rotated in reverse and I also can hang 6 JD 40 pound weights to the blade now for ballast and digging force. Mine can be locked in forward mode or I can simply pull a pin and unlock the wheels so they can run straight when the blade is angled so the tires wont wear down.