Ratchet Rake - ever seen/used one?

[von-mil]

There have been LOTS of posts regarding the Ratchet Rake over the last year or two and yours is the first one I recall where the rake has sustained any kind of damage. Glad you were able to fix it easily.

I didn't think I would be using my RR in the winter but with frozen ground, then lots of rain that can't soak in, then more freezing temps, I might try using it as an icebreaker on my driveway.

 

[RaydaKub]

There have been LOTS of posts regarding the Ratchet Rake over the last year or two and yours is the first one I recall where the rake has sustained any kind of damage. Glad you were able to fix it easily.

I didn't think I would be using my RR in the winter but with frozen ground, then lots of rain that can't soak in, then more freezing temps, I might try using it as an icebreaker on my driveway.

My thoughts exactly. I've got the 54" model on my BX. The whole thing is 1/2" thick metal. How the heck did you bend one with a small tractor?
My back yard has been coated with ice and it isn't flowing enough to run down the hill; jammed up by snow. I thought about scraping the ice off with the rake also. The bucket just slid on top. The rake might move some ice, but would create some channels for the water to also flow better and get out of there. The dogs came in last week soaked. Have to be careful to not dip into the lawn though.

 

[rangerrzr]

My thoughts exactly. I've got the 54" model on my BX. The whole thing is 1/2" thick metal. How the heck did you bend one with a small tractor?
My back yard has been coated with ice and it isn't flowing enough to run down the hill; jammed up by snow. I thought about scraping the ice off with the rake also. The bucket just slid on top. The rake might move some ice, but would create some channels for the water to also flow better and get out of there. The dogs came in last week soaked. Have to be careful to not dip into the lawn though.

The part that bent was the far right tooth. It is probably the most vulnerable part of the entire thing. I try to make it a point not to use the bucket on the sides to pry, but I probably didn't see something in that hole.
Let us know how it does for breaking ice, I am curious how well it will break it up. II wonder if making a channel would do the trick. I found that pointing the rake down and turning while going back and forth has a sawing acting to make little trenches.

 

[RaydaKub]

The part that bent was the far right tooth. It is probably the most vulnerable part of the entire thing. I try to make it a point not to use the bucket on the sides to pry, but I probably didn't see something in that hole.
Let us know how it does for breaking ice, I am curious how well it will break it up. II wonder if making a channel would do the trick. I found that pointing the rake down and turning while going back and forth has a sawing acting to make little trenches.

I finally went out and tried this this afternoon. My wife loves to fill her bird feeders and having her slip and fall would not be a good thing. I don't think it is useful to removed a lot of ice, at least not on grass. It does dig in and rough it up a lot though so it should help with the slippery factor. I think it might have some use on a gravel driveway, but even on my grass, it tends to catch a tooth now and then in the sod and that can bring my bx to a halt. The whole surface is now like crusty snow instead of glare ice, so I see a benefit from it. I thought the large teeth would be easier to follow, and that's true. I dumped the bucket to about 80 degrees. But the smaller teeth do a better job because they are closer together and break it up more. I tried it with the bucket curled back to about -10 degrees. Another option would be a dump of about 60 degrees see the small teeth dig in, but I didn't try that.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thinking of getting one for a 72" bucket...

Anyone use the FS model with load binders?

 

[ultrarunner]

Just called to place my order for a standard ratchet rake and learned they are out of stock estimating 4 to 5 weeks.

 

[fordmantpw]

I just ordered one through the TBN store today. Hopefully it's not 4-5 weeks...

 

[ultrarunner]

The only one available is the 72" FS model with chain binders if my information is correct.

In 4 to 5 weeks the ground will be much harder for what I want to do.

 

[Pixguy]

Have you checked with your local TSC ??

Love mine to clean my roadside ditches with mine.

 

[fordmantpw]

TSC is out of stock here. All 3 stores within 75 miles.