Ratchet Rake/Brush pics

[Case485Guy]

Did it take you very long to get comfortable using it?
What techinique did you find worked the best ? Slow forward or back drag
Also what size did you get ?

I am getting one in the next couple of weeks so any information would be helpful.
Thanks

It really did not take long to get comfortable to use it. As far as technique, I am pushing forward, then dragging back to get roots missed on forward push, then pushing forward again....thats on the thick brush. Light or less thick area of brush, goes faster. Once you find the angle that works best for pushing forward and dragging back its just repetition from there. I have really only used on brush so far, so forward push 1st is a must.I bought the 72" 5/8" thick model. My tractor is 2wd, I have the disc hooked up for weight/traction. I put bucket on ground, lift front tires of tractor off ground and start forward push. Towards the end of the day I would lower the disc some to where the rear set of gangs would dig in ground, seemed to help some for back dragging. Sometimes I needed the traction and would lift the disc up, then lower again as I could. I am using low 1 gear, tried low 2 but I feel that low 1 is easier on the tractor.
Also some of the brush in the pics was any where from 4-5' tall and had a fairly decent size base that would stop the tractor, on those I raised the bucket high enough to push it over and alot of the time the root ball would start to break out of the ground, then back up, drop bucket and push forward again, ripping most/all out ground. Just had to play with it and work it to get it out of ground.
I am very happy with it and for the money, is hard to beat IMO.

 

[Bdavis]

It really did not take long to get comfortable to use it. As far as technique, I am pushing forward, then dragging back to get roots missed on forward push, then pushing forward again....thats on the thick brush. Light or less thick area of brush, goes faster. Once you find the angle that works best for pushing forward and dragging back its just repetition from there. I have really only used on brush so far, so forward push 1st is a must.I bought the 72" 5/8" thick model. My tractor is 2wd, I have the disc hooked up for weight/traction. I put bucket on ground, lift front tires of tractor off ground and start forward push. Towards the end of the day I would lower the disc some to where the rear set of gangs would dig in ground, seemed to help some for back dragging. Sometimes I needed the traction and would lift the disc up, then lower again as I could. I am using low 1 gear, tried low 2 but I feel that low 1 is easier on the tractor.
Also some of the brush in the pics was any where from 4-5' tall and had a fairly decent size base that would stop the tractor, on those I raised the bucket high enough to push it over and alot of the time the root ball would start to break out of the ground, then back up, drop bucket and push forward again, ripping most/all out ground. Just had to play with it and work it to get it out of ground.
I am very happy with it and for the money, is hard to beat IMO.

Really appreciate the information , I think I will hook my boxblade/scraper on
the back to add a little weight. I have a 2wd also probably about the same size as yours (mine is 45 hp).

Thanks again