Rake of some sort

[RDrancher]

I don't think so. I could ratchet rake first though. I'm just brainstorming now though so any idea would be welcomed. My goal is to leave the hoe attached if possible so that reduces my desire to use a brush hog.

How about this question... what would make a ratchet rake better? I may just make it attach to my grapple unless I can make it a better standalone attachment. What are the shortcomings of a ratchet rake.

I would like sharper points on the forward facing row of teeth for back dragging. I think that the RR as a stand-alone quick attach attachment would be very useful. If it mimicked the position it takes on the bucket it would work quite well and vision would be much better. The framework would have to be pretty tough to handle the strain. I actually bent one of the large teeth a little bit on my 72" model, and that's the thick one.

 

[swick1]

Thanks rdrancher! I guess I should buy one and try it out but I just feel like with any addon it is a compromise. I want a dedicated rake. Here are some ideas... let me know what you think.

1. Two sets of fine teeth facing down. One near the front and one set where the back of the bucket would be. I think this would give a better raking action and reduce the number of passes by half

2. Forward facing teeth like a sickle bar mower or the pirhana bar to cut small bushes and saplings

3. Retractable or flip down short teeth for single row dragging.

4. A flip down hydraulic puller that lifts saplings and small trees straight up. Think post puller / engine hoist operated by front remotes. My fel isn't strong enough to do this so I need the puller.

 

[RDrancher]

I think you'll be fine with two sets of teeth...one down and one facing forward. The curl function allow the use of one set or both. The RR's teeth are different sizes and spaced so that they work well together. The way I use it for grass, etc. is the way the inventor intended. I drive forward with the bottom teeth in contact with the ground (the tips slightly angled rearward) and both sets going backward. If the material is too thick, or the ground too hard I back up using just the bottom set of teeth which are smaller and cut into the ground better.

As for #4, I can't wait to see it!

 

[swick1]

Thanks for the insight. Why are the front teeth so large?

 

[RDrancher]

I'm not sure why. I think you'd be fine if both sets of teeth were the same size as long as they were offset.

If you get the teeth set up correctly, the RR makes a heck of a t-post puller. There's an example on my photo thread.

 

[swick1]

Good idea! I'll take a look and try to post a drawing later this weekend