PTO Power Rake Rental in Catskills NY / NE PA?

LMychajluk · Jul 19, 2020

We're going to have a few trees removed and the stumps ground out. The ground under these trees is a bit hard, but also a bit mossy. Afterwards, I'd like to level the area a bit, add some topsoil/compost/manure, and seed new grass.

We have a 35hp compact tractor, and I'm thinking that a power rake (Harley) would be a good way to do this, but I can't find anyone that rents a PTO-driven one - only skidsteer/hydraulic or walk-behinds (around Sullivan County NY). Does anyone know anyplace that would rent them in the area?

If not, I suppose I can just use a box scraper, maybe followed by a soil pulverizer, both of which seem to be readily available. Having never done this before, any tips on what to use or how?

Peter 315 · Jul 19, 2020

You might just have to rent a skid steer and power rake combo....................Call a tractor dealer and ask if they rent them..........

Tinhack · Jul 19, 2020

Wow! Those things (power rake) are expensive for a one use attachment. What will you do with it after that? I think I'd get a tiller that will do the same thing at 1/5 the price, new. At least a tiller can be used in the garden, maintaining trails/dirt drives, etc. (Or making new ones.)

LouNY · Jul 19, 2020

Tinhack said:
Wow! Those things (power rake) are expensive for a one use attachment. What will you do with it after that? I think I'd get a tiller that will do the same thing at 1/5 the price, new. At least a tiller can be used in the garden, maintaining trails/dirt drives, etc. (Or making new ones.)

How are you going to get a tiller to do the same job as a harley rake?

Tinhack · Jul 19, 2020

LouNY said:
How are you going to get a tiller to do the same job as a harley rake?

Why use a Harley Rake for a tiller job?

The OP says the stumps are gone. All that's left is dirt, chips and moss. Why do you need a Harley rake? Did I miss something?

LouNY · Jul 19, 2020

He is wanting to level and rake for seeding

LMychajluk · Jul 21, 2020

Right... I just want to scratch up the existing ground and spread a bit of new topsoil over it - most of it already has some grass. If anything, if I can't get a power rake, I think a box blade w/ scarifier or land plane before a tiller (there will still be some tree roots just below the surface), and if I was buying, I'd probably get more use out of one of those than a tiller. And I know they're expensive - that's why I'm asking if anyone rents them.

Edit, FWIW:
- Box Blade / Landscape Rake / Soil Pulverizer rent for ~$50-60/day ea., and I can put them in my pickup.
- SkidSteer w/ Harley Rake rent for ~$550/day, plus trailer rental or delivery.