Rake My next attachment...a rake???

[TC29-dude]

I have been looking at landscape rakes for a while thinking one would help me
do some rock picking and help with trash pile clean up. I also plan to use it to
to "disc" up a hard to get to food plot that's off by my back ridge and whatever else I can think of to justify the expense. Maybe smooth my logging road trails...

I am picking up a 7' Fred Cain next Wednesday. I like the design a lot...two steel cross beams vs. one makes me think it will be less likely to bow over time. Plus I like how easy it is to replace rake tines if one happens to break. I was quoted $565.00 and feel that's a fair price, not a steal. What do you guys think?

Has anyone used a FC or any rake with a gauge wheel? Is it worth getting that option? What kinds of things have you guys done with yours?

Thanks in advance

TC29-dude

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I am not familiar with that company, at some point in the future I will need to purchase a rake also. I would be interested in how you like it.

 

[kbotaman]

Unless the job your wanting to do requires the teeth to be kept a a uniform depth or you are just wanting to skim the surface say to pickup surface rocks or limbs IMHO I feel the wheels would be a unnecessary expense.

 

[cmhyland]

I owned a rake without guage wheels.... It was just short of useless.

If you buy a rake make sure it has guage wheels.....

Regards,
Chris

 

[ToadHill]

I use one to care for my drive and roads, it does the job a lot better than a backblade. The finish is smoother and it takes fewer passes.

 

[Redbug]

I am thinking of getting a landscape rake, also. So I am keeping up with your opinions, too. I have never used one.

I plan to use it for cleaning up woody debris, (sticks and small limbs). How well do they work on smoothing crusher run driveways? My tractor is 6' wide, so my box blade and all other implements are 6' wide. Is the 7' a good size... since it can be angled or go bigger/smaller?

 

[TC29-dude]

I am getting a 7 footer and will post pix once I get it.

Supposedly a 7' version will allow me to angle the rake to "winrow" (sp?) the debris to once side of my tractor while keeping the debris outside my tires. My TC29 is about 5' wide and I was told a 6' rake would be to short to angle without running over debris.

 

[jake98]

dude
i agree with chris, the rakes are 'just short of usless' without wheels. i'm not sure you're going to be successful on a logging road with one tho. i've used mine to grade yards after excavation (should be done w/dozer), and spreading driveway stone. i was very happy after i got the wheels on it.
jake

 

[Redbug]

So, possibly the 8' for my tractor? One foot either side if run in the straight position. I am looking at either the Landpride or Woods medium duty rakes. Opinions...anybody as to size, etc?

 

[jake98]

Redbug,
You should expect to spend 3/4 of your time pulling stuck roots and branches out of the tines if you're going to use it for woody debris cleanup...
Jake

 

[2manyrocks]

I have a 6' rake and a 5 1/2 box blade, neither with wheels. The rake is useful for breaking up a gravel surface and will windrow material some when set at an angle. The rake will leave gravel trails in between the tines. I find the boxblade leaves a slightly smoother surface.

I used the rake to rake up after a tree blew over. Much easier than doing it by hand. I also used it to rake in grass seed on some dirt after logging, and I am very pleased.

For some reason, I didn't have that much trouble with the rake not having wheels. I recently bought a 6' rear blade for a project where I needed to really cut the existing road down, but I could not control the rear blade very well. I added wheels to the rear blade, but haven't felt the need to add them to the rake. But I am not trying to achieve a perfectlly level grade with the rake, either.

There is no shortage of differing respectable opinions about rakes/boxblades/rear blades/wheels and no wheels.

 

[bobmisi]

A rake is one of the most versatile tools you can own. I use mine all the time. If you want the most versatility, get the gauge wheels, as without them you cannot really grade or level anything to get a nice finished look. I personally have a York brand and they are extreme duty, but so is the price. Landpride makes a super unit, and Woods would be a good choice also. I can remember back 20 years ago when I was just done building my house and had little spare cash, I clamped a board to the teeth and plowed my driveway with it one whole winter. Aahh, to be young again...................

 

[RPK]

I got a 7 ft Landpride rake with gauge wheels when I bought my L3130. When angled, the rake path is still wider than the rear wheels. That is all you really need(IMO). I rake out our beach in the summer and the gauge wheels are a necessity. The rake is so heavy that with out the wheels it will dig out of control into soft materials like beach sand or loam in a new yard etc.

RPK
L3130,, BH90 LA723, Pallett forks, Long Grapple, 7' rake

 

[canoetrpr]

I paid quite a bit extra for a rake with wheels and I have wheels pretty much permanetly off. I find that they get in the way when I am trying to clean up manure etc. close to a fence line.

Overall I didn't find that they were that useful for the light grading / cleanup uses that I have.

 

[jbrumberg]

Redbug,
You should expect to spend 3/4 of your time pulling stuck roots and branches out of the tines if you're going to use it for woody debris cleanup...
Jake

I tend to agree with Jake on wood debris cleanup; rocks can get stuck too. I have had no problems pulling an 8' rake and I do have guage wheels that I positioned before the rake tines, but I would consider my use to be relatively light to medium duty. I do not like the way my gravel driveway looks after I rake it, I prefer the looks of the drive by back dragging or box blading. Jay

 

[getindirty]

I do not know about FC but rakes are a good piece to own. They can gather rocks, weeds and limbs and drag them out to be collected. On new dirt work they are very good at leaving a nice finished yard/field.
they also work great on gravel drives. Gage wheels are good for uneven/hilly ground. When the tractor goes down into a hole and you want the rake to stay up the wheels can help. I do not use gage wheels but I would not be against them. Go with a foot wider than the tractor. You will not be carrying a heavy load and the tractor should not have any issues.

 

[AndyMA]

I owned a rake without guage wheels.... It was just short of useless.

If you buy a rake make sure it has guage wheels.....

Regards,
Chris

Only for the untrained operator. I have used York Rakes for about 40 years including hundreds of commercial jobs and have always had guage wheels. I barely ever use them and find that I can do a better job without them. It's all in "feel" on the 3pt hitch position lever and your approach to the job.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

If you want the most versatility, get the gauge wheels, as without them you cannot really grade or level anything to get a nice finished look. quote]

Once again I disagree with that statement. I always achieve a finished appearance for sod or seeding without guage wheels.

Andy

 

[cmhyland]

Andy,
Are you saying you can follow the contour of the ground by feel better than the guage wheels? Or are you saying you can make adjustments anticipating something?

The only thing the guage wheels would prevent you from doing is digging deeper in a specific spot, or backing up closer to something.

I'll agree I don't have near your experience with the tool but I have used it both ways.

So as a learning experience what is it that the wheels prevent you from doing?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[dtd24]

My rake works well without gauge wheels, but I do have plans to modify it. I would think it will be easier to level perfectly with the wheels. Not anywhere near next to useless. IMHO of course!!!