Power Rake ??

AltavistaLawn · Jul 16, 2005

Has anyone here used the power rake attachment on a PT?

Just wondering how it performs?

blackwell · Jul 16, 2005

We use a power rake on our 1460 with a laser reciever to cut beds for driveways and sidewalks on grade. Also leveled a 40000 sq ft building pad in about 4 hours, within 1 inch. We have the laser reciever feed a proportional valve to automatically adjust the height of the power rake, thus all the operator has to do is drive. We paid for this tool in one job.
EB

Highridge · Jul 17, 2005

That's pretty cool! I'd like to see that in action!

AltavistaLawn · Jul 17, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That's pretty cool! I'd like to see that in action! )</font>

Me 2 !!

Sounds over my head though. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

egb6550 · Jul 17, 2005

I'm intrigued how does that work? I don't understand what the laser receiver does. I'm guessing it adjusts the height relative to some setting but I need more details if you don't mind helping the ignorant.

SCOTCHERS · Jul 17, 2005

I've personally used my powerrake and did have it for sale and decided to keep it. I'm a landscape designer and live on 6 acres and use it weekly renovating different parts of my yard as well as renting it out to both by company for grading and some of my buddies who are in the business. It's awesome once you get the hang of it. I highly recommend it. It too acts as a tiller with the depth adjustment screw if need be. Up to 12" . If you need more, scoop out and continue tilling. Stips sod and grades in two passes.

BAGTIC · Jul 18, 2005

Scotchers,

What size PT are you using?

Before I bought my 425 I asked about using the power rake as a dual purpose tiller and was advised against it.

Perhaps it depends on size of tractor or type of soil: loose; sticky clay; rocky, etc.

SCOTCHERS · Jul 18, 2005

I have a PT 425 and it's does a great job. The only thing I've found is due to it's size, when your using it as a tiller, you have to be more patient and not AS aggressive. But all in all, I've had NO problems, Doesn't jam like the tiller

Spiffy · Sep 30, 2005

Which way are you running the rake for leveling?

Mine is set with the top running toward the tractor and the bottom running away from it (i.e. it would be pushing the tractor backward).

Seems like this is right for agressive soil breaking, but don't know why PT has the rubber flap like it should be the other way. It seems to take some serious power when I put some pressure on it; not saying good or bad about that, just pointing it out.

Thanks!

Blackwell's laser sounds way to sweet, but I'm sure the price is way too forbidding for anything I'd have.

Spiffy · Oct 2, 2005

Well, the power rake seems to work pretty slick for loosening surface soil & knocking off the high spots, but more questions (and I'm still trying to figure out why the rubber guard looks like it should turn the other way):

Barring the integrated laser level. How do you control the depth to create a level surface? I'm pretty quick with the joystick, but always seem to recognize the need for adjustment after it's too late.

Also (and here barring the tilt proposed in another thread), how do you control the tilt for a level surface?

I'll be happy to feel like an idiot if I'm overlooking something really simple! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, I'll have to add this to another thread too, but based on a really quick trial, it's not bad as a "mini-sheep's-foot" when the hydraulics are turned off.