raking

[Martin hobbs]

I have 20 hilly acres in northern calif.with a lot of dead branches from scrub oaks along with small stones on an uneven surface due to gophers and ? The grass must be cut prior to fire season to a minimum diameter of 150 ft. around the house. would a 3 point pine straw rake work to knock down the gopher mounds and drag the small branches into piles prior to mowing? I am using a regular lawn mower set at the highest position. any and all ideas appreciated. I tried a landscape rake, but it was to aggressive.

 

[crusty 1]

Martin,I don,t see how a landscape rake could be too aggresive,I use mine alot for exactly what your speaking of.Are we talking the same impl.? things seem to be called different names around the country.My rake is 6 feet wide spring steel spaced an inch apart and its just the right tool to get rid of branches and stones and yes it will help level gopher mounds.It only wieghts 250 pounds so unless you have power down can,t be too aggressive:thumbsupave

 

[Martin hobbs]

Dave, I tried my neighbors rake and it ripped the grass out. Maybe i'm not using it correctly. what if i don't let it down all the way, so it just skims the surface? thanks for the reply, martin

 

[crusty 1]

Martin, thats the way! just lightly over the ground,you,re going to get grass etc. no way to do a perfect job these are tractors no way are you gunna get a manicured job from them.Not going to hurt a thing to pull out some grass,it,ll grow back.If you have a fairly large area to do as it sounds like using the tractor and [landscape,rockrake,beechrake]what every you call it,is what you need.Dave

 

[Villengineer]

Also, adjusting the top link changes it's agressiveness. IIRC shorten the top link as far as possible and it will mostly collect and not dig in. I have a hyd top link and just adjust on the fly to get what I want so I could be wrong on the direction, but adjusting the top link makes a huge difference in performance. Trying to "skim" it never works for me unless your using guage wheels. When the tractor dips down the rake will come up, and vice versa.

 

[Martin hobbs]

thanks everyone, VERY helpful. now i just have to talk my neighbor into trying his rake again, or 'fork' over the cash for a new one. any suggestions on brand?