Power Rake ??

[blackwell]

Use the front caster wheel kit, set the desired height with spacers on the front and sliding the rear wheels up or down. Set the power rake on the surface on all four wheels, put the arms in float and drive forward with the drum rotating in reverse. The rubber flap prevents the dirt from flipping over the top and back on the tractor. This is one of the best attachments we ever purchased. We tried the Harley Rake but the drum is too small, the PT rake will do three times the work.
The laser control is great for cutting surfaces level or on a controlled slope, but most our work is done without it, to contour surfaces prior to seeding.

 

[MossRoad]

Well, you could use the poor man's laser level.... a string line. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spiffy]

You got it MR, I'm planning to go poor man with a ball of string for level and 50ft of hose & a tape measure (aka water level) to set the pitch.....irronically she now can't decide if she wants 0 pitch or something like 1" in 10' (is switching building contractors - and hearing different options), so I have a little time to ponder further.

I was hoping for a better way, but I guess it gets the points marked all the same! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Spiffy]

Blackwell,

Thanks so much for the great instructions! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif The previous owner said I'd want to add the front wheels if I used the rake much, guess he was exactly right.

Still envy your laser, but think some getting used to it and I can get great results even with "old-school" level marking.

I think I understand the flap now too. Perhaps, being strapped to the trailer it developed a curvature toward the wheel and just got sucked in [I noticed that before I bought it too]. Bet if I turn it [upside-down] or make a new straight piece it will be perfect for it's intended purpose. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks again, Blackwell!

 

[Spiffy]

This maybe should go in safety or where ever "stupid operator tricks [errors]" go these days so everyone can get a chuckle at my expense, but it's kind of PT specific.

I have the tiller and rake, so my trailer has a rack above the tiller for the rake. I was testing the rake (prior to doing the job I mentioned before) and putting it back on the trailer right before leaving for the job. Put it on the rack started backing away, not even 10 seconds latter THUNK!!!! I hadn't set it perfect, the wind caught it just right vibrating the rack, and of course it wasn't strapped yet.

Nasty dent in trailer: /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Asked wife to back onto trailer while I showed her were to stop (she only ran for 2 minutes previously - big mistake): wife backs into rake: /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Well, finally got it off, BTW I think it weighs 500lb or more; when I chained it to the hoe [granted mostly extended], it lifed the front end off the ground!

Nobody hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Rake barely even traded paint. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Trailer still has dent /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif But think I can fix. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Nobody hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif [had to end on happy note]

 

[tracdoc]

Chad,

Sounds to me not so much like "stupid operator tricks," but more like a report on the learning curve that we call life. Me thinks that we have all been your boat, or one very similar. I've heard that it only becomes 'stupidity' when one does it repeatedly. How many times qualifies as 'repeatedly'?? Hmmm.....I don't know the answer, but let's not be too harsh on ourselves.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

I used a Bobcat brand, after we made the adaptors. Worked great..but had to stay on the hydraulics to control it.

 

[Spiffy]

Great Picture AltavistaLawn! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just further confirms my need for front wheels though. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

And the list of projects to properly configure the machine to tackle the list of projects grows! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spiffy]

<font color="blue"> I've heard that it only becomes 'stupidity' when one does it repeatedly. How many times qualifies as 'repeatedly'?? Hmmm.....I don't know the answer, but let's not be too harsh on ourselves. </font>

Pretty good advice Tracdoc!

Actually, I didn't post it to be hard on myself (though I was for a few minutes after it happend). Just hoped others could chuckle at it, that way some good could come of the bad! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Somebody might learn from my mistake. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Or, it might make their mistakes seems smaller. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif