Rake LANDSCAPE RAKE

[flINTLOCK]

I was looking for rather heavy duty LR for foodplot clearing where we encounter fair # of rocks in the 6-8 inch range. Thought the heavy duty models might handle that stuff best. When cross-checking the specs for various LR makers, seems that they all employ 5/16" by 1" tines. If that's the case, I'm not sure the heavier LR's would handle those rocks without risk of damage any better than the regular duty LR's. Anyone know of heavier tine model out there that might be better suited to that material??

 

[FULLPULL]

hello If it was a one time event clearing the rock off one plot i would look into renting a harley rake for a day.Only if the rock was no bigger than that it will get only a couple inches deep .Then take a loader get rid of them.The rake will also get small rock down to 3/4 size if you set it right.I would tell who ever rents you one what you are going to do with it and see what they say. Rhino makes landscape rake to.

 

[flINTLOCK]

Thanks for the input. I only wish it was going to be a one time event. Our ground in NE PA grows rocks better than avything else. All the old farms have stone walls ringing their fields that were taller each year. I wish we could afford a harley rake. It would probably be too expensive to rent one several times a year every year, though.

 

[Raddad]

If you tell the rental company you're using a power rake on 8" rocks he won't rent it to you. A Harley Rake or power rake will beat itself to death on 8" rocks. So will a rototiller. A conventional landscape rake from Landpride, Land Pride - The Authority in Tractor Mounted Work Tools, Riding Mowers & Utility Vehicles Woods, Woods Equipment Company or York, York Rakes : York Modern will have no problem draging 8" rocks into windrows. Watch the video on the York web site. I would use a scarifier on a box blade or a rake to loosen up all the rocks. Use the gauge wheels on the rake and set it at an angle to spill the rocks off to the side piling up windrows.

My boys landscaped some property that should have been a rock quarry using this method.

 

[flINTLOCK]

Thanks, Raddad. I was thinking about running the rake on "float". Do you think gauge wheels would help for rocks??

 

[Raddad]

Yes. They set the depth so you don't need to be an expert with your three point hitch. Search gauge wheels to read past posts.

 

[greg_g]

My 7 foot IMC rake handles rock that size no problem. If I come up on one that looks like it might weigh more than 40# or so, I'll get off the tractor and move it outa the way. But I don't consider this a job for gauge wheels. I raise the them up and out of the way so the tines can get under the partially imbedded rock. If you don't have draft control, this won't work - but that's how I keep the tines from digging TOO deep into the soil. Draft control lifts the tines back to the preset operating depth I selected, but not so high as to disgorge the load of rock they had been dragging along.

I agree with the previous poster who indicated indexing the rake to windrow the rock. You can go longer stretches that way without having to lift and dump. When I'm done windrowing, I return the rake to it's horizontal index and drag the windrows into piles. Easier for the FEL that way.

//greg//