Raking Backwards

[webbmeister]

The new rake has done a phenomenal job so far of cleaning up the debris from last year's lot clearing. I knew there were a lot of pieces of branches, trunks, etc. laying low in the grass, but I had no earthly idea how many there were until the rake started gobbling them up in 5' rolls.

Here's my question:

After pulling the rake and creating these rolls of debris, I have been turning the rake 180 degrees on its pivot so it is facing backwards and driving the tractor backwards to push the rolls into the burning pit. The rake does a faster/cleaner job of this than the FEL. All of this seems like a cakewalk for the tractor and for the rake. Am I hurting the 3PH?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...I have been turning the rake 180 degrees on its pivot so it is facing backwards and driving the tractor backwards to push the rolls into the burning pit.... Am I hurting the 3PH?...</font color=blue>

Hi Jim,

As a rule... you'd break the "weakest link"... in this case... it would be the rake tines... so you should be safe... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anytime you go backwards with the a 3-pt implement you want to avoid "skewing" in a diagonal or sideways position... the same holds true with a loader going forward... as you normally have the most strength "head-on"... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[webbmeister]

Thanks John!

Jim