New Farm Force rake - bent in 60 seconds?

[buyerjohn]

I'm not sure that I bent this thing but the attached pics tell the story...I used it for about 60 seconds and that's not an exaggeration! Didn't hit any rocks, yet you can see from the attached pictures that something happened...either by somebody else or me.

It quite possibly was bent prior to my purchasing it from TSC (and straightened) and I just didn't notice...it had a bunch of scratches, etc but I wonder how I could've missed a prior bend unless it was straightened by somebody else .

The rake is a 7 foot farm force...any comments on the design? it seems strange to me that the bottom bar is made of 4 sections which would encourage bending at those points. This is the replacement product for King Kutter at TSC and is a different design entirely as the KK brand is made of one solid lower cross bar.

Anybody else have this rake? or other comments? TSC agreed to swap it out but I'm concerned that this rake will fail again, but I can't be sure because I don't know what caused the problem.

John.

 

[Willl]

If it was me, I'd be halfway to TSC already to get my money back. That's BS.

 

[buyerjohn]

If it was me, I'd be halfway to TSC already to get my money back. That's BS.

TSC agreed to swap it out but I dont know if I want that or to get my money back...that's why I'd like comments on the design/possible reasons for the bend...thanks.

 

[Dyer retired]

TSC agreed to swap it out but I dont know if I want that or to get my money back...that's why I'd like comments on the design/possible reasons for the bend...thanks.

I know you said that it bent, and it's probably a subtle difference, but it looks twisted to me. I don't have experience with rakes, so take this for what it's worth....but I would be of the opinion that you should be able to get more than 60 seconds out of an implement that costs good money. I would be nervous that the design failed on the first one and the next one, absent a design change, would do the same thing.....and you haven't even really tried it on any hard or difficult surfaces. I'd get my money back and buy a design more proven. The shame is that you won't get your money back for the gas it takes to get the rake back to TSC, or the aggravation of having to deal with all this. Dyer, retired

 

[greg_g]

Get your money back. Even though I see your tines only penetrated 3" or so, that's apparently the wrong tool for whatever job you were attempting. That's a light duty rake. If you've got medium or heavy duty work - invest in a medium or heavy duty implement

//greg//

 

[silverking]

Had 3 of these types of rakes and all 3 did this same thing over time from over use. They are not made for what we all use them for. If you get another one take it too the welder and have the angle iron boxed in and it will help but the ends will always have to much force put on them and that twist/bend is the result. On a side note after the bend happens to a certain degree the tines will wear down even and i wont make any difference unless you really over abuse it.

 

[daBear]

Had 3 of these types of rakes and all 3 did this same thing over time from over use. They are not made for what we all use them for. If you get another one take it too the welder and have the angle iron boxed in and it will help but the ends will always have to much force put on them and that twist/bend is the result. On a side note after the bend happens to a certain degree the tines will wear down even and i wont make any difference unless you really over abuse it.

What are they made for? raking snow?

 

[kennyd]

That looks like a very poor design and also very weak. I would demand my $$ back and get a better built unit.

 

[Egon]

Just like the movie, "Gone in 60 seconds".

Chances are you may need a more substantial rake.

 

[lawn_king]

Shame on anyone who sells an implement that light, you couldn't comb your hair with that rig?