Rake low cost power rakes

jd4310 · Mar 23, 2005

I am new to the landscape business. I currently use a gill pulverizor for my grading work, with limited luck. I am interested in a power rack (harley, woods etc.) but cannot afford $6,000-8,000 for one. I am trying to find a cheaper version more like $3,000-4,000. any help would be appreciated.

Also, has anybody had experience with a trc3?

millsnhills · Mar 23, 2005

I read the post and had to get in hear. I looked around for sometime and just have not been able to locate one in that range. I too would be interested in some feed back i.e. auctions or alternatives to the power rack.

beenthere · Mar 23, 2005

That is a hard one for someone 'else' to answer for you. I don't think 'cheap' will do the job you want to do in your business. Quality comes at a price, be it the tool you use, or the job you do in your business (I suspect you don't do your jobs 'cheap' expecting more business), or how you compete with others in the same landscaping business.

Visit your banker, and lay out your business plan. If it is a good plan, and has potential for growing, then the power rake is but a small investment that gets you business deductions, etc. You may not think you can afford one, but maybe you cannot afford to be without one. They are a fantastic machine, as I rent one when I need one. Makes short work of big lawn projects, IMO.

But, that may not be what you are asking here. Wish you luck, and welcome as a new member.

_RaT_ · Mar 23, 2005

GOOD LUCK. Those of us with power rakes (I have the Harley Pro 8) know just how valuable they are and would surely not let them go for cheap. There are also so few of them out there that even having a used one make it for sale would be slim.

Kioti3054 · Mar 23, 2005

Hi, do a search for the TR3. I have one and use it for my landscaping business and like it.

Dave

caddison · Mar 23, 2005

JD,

I have been looking and looking and well you get the picture. If you are truly going to get in the business than the only way to go is with a power rake. It is purely a hobby for me in that all I want to do is the prep work; i.e. play in the dirt and get it ready. If you figure the time that is saved by using one tool vs. two or three the power rake will more than pay for itself. I honestly don't know how they can get $6,000.00 in one. I am looking at one now and still trying to justify the cost, like I said I do it on a very limited basis. If I had several yards or was closer the city I would have one in a heartbeat.

A power rake will replace a tiller, pulverizer, harrow, box blade and whatever else you can think of when doing the pre-seeding work. The ultimate would be the power rake w/seeder attached. Just too many toys and not enough money or time. from what I have been told the power rake will also manicure gravel drives.

I don't think there is such a thing as a "cheap one" and the 'ol adage of "you get what you pay for" would be in direct correlation with that term! Buy the best you can afford and maintain the heck out of it. You will recoup a larger portion of your capital outlay and the years of use will also be more cost effective. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

_RaT_ · Mar 23, 2005

I think I have the video on the TR3 and agree, it looked like a very nice tool. Even it was a bit pricey for what it is. Even though these items are fairly costly, it is remarkable what they can do. I use my power rake after I either rip the soil with my boxblade or after I have moved a lot of material, leveled it a little with the boxblade and let the Harley take care of the rest. It does a remarkable job of leveling, blending old and new areas, consolidating the soil, cleaning the soil and having it as close to seeding as you can get.

KiotiJohn · Mar 23, 2005

Rotodairon
I have no idea what these cost, but they have several different sizes, I think from 23" up? I've read good things about the work they will do, but they may be as expensive as the Harleys. Check with them and see.
I think most of the power rakes require a huge hydro flow to operate well. John

_RaT_ · Mar 23, 2005

"I think most of the power rakes require a huge hydro flow to operate well. John "

For the PTO driven, they require very little hydraulic flow and even little PTO HP.

KiotiJohn · Mar 23, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For the PTO driven, they require very little hydraulic flow and even little PTO HP.
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I think the Rotodairons are PTO driven right? I haven't really read about them yet, but remember someone is posting about them recently. The man said the 36" only needed 16 PTO HP at the minimum. John