Ratchet Rake on hills

[Wacky]

I am having difficulty on using this on any inclines that need require side-hilling . I have my KK BB on which keep the back tires planted well and have the bucket near the ground. But the front want to keep sliding down the hill. Any ideas how to keep the front wheel planted?? The hill isn't that steep. After I clear it I will be able to keep it mowed. It was mowed years ago. I know that the 65 lbs changed my balance ALOT!! The BB won't do much for uprooting the brush, I have tried that. I may go to the herbicide and just mow over it w/ the rotary cutter but would like to use the Ratchet Rake if at all possible. Any ideas?? Thanks.

 

[Glen Watkins]

Go up and down the hills instead of sideways on them?

 

[6dog]

I'm not sure if I understand exactly how you are approaching it, but have you tried pulling the weeds in reverse with the loader in float? That is assuming you can't do it the way Glen suggested above.

 

[Wacky]

Go up and down the hills instead of sideways on them?

Yeah, I should have explained that at the bottom of the hill is a woody cliff and I have to side-hill to get to the rest of it as I cannot get to the top, it is not on my property. I tried using a BB and loader before I bought this to no avail. I was not thinking that would be that heavy, but it is way out in front of the tractor where it makes it much more off balance.

 

[Ken45101]

I guess I'm confused The RR puts weight on the front but your front tires are sliding sideways? Then it's not a weight issue.

Working cross wise on a hill with any steepness is dangerous. Can you work up and down for at least short distances?

It sounds like it's not the RR that's the problem, but rather maybe your technique? Keep the RR above the ground by a slight bit (1") ?

Maybe your tractor is too light for what you are trying to do. But again, working across the hill sounds dangerous.

Ken

 

[jake98]

Maybe you can strap it onto the box-blade?

 

[955Lincoln]

Maybe you can strap it onto the box-blade?

What a cool idea :thumbsup: My tractor doesn't have a FEL but I have a BB.

 

[Wacky]

I guess I'm confused The RR puts weight on the front but your front tires are sliding sideways? Then it's not a weight issue.

Working cross wise on a hill with any steepness is dangerous. Can you work up and down for at least short distances?

It sounds like it's not the RR that's the problem, but rather maybe your technique? Keep the RR above the ground by a slight bit (1") ?

Maybe your tractor is too light for what you are trying to do. But again, working across the hill sounds dangerous.

Ken

With out the RR on, I can traverse the hill w/o sliding the front tires. But w/ the extra weight out in front on the FEL it does. I don't think it will attach to the BB but I will look further.

 

[General Lee]

Maybe try a landscape rake? I don't know, but to me a ratchet rake seems kinda useless. I would think you could tackle the task with a toothbar on the FEL or a rear landscape rake. I don't have a ratchet rake but from what I've seen I'm not that impressed with them.

 

[tuoysRme]

I don't see why you're not going up and down the hill. going side ways is dangerous. you can drive up to the top of your property, and set the ratchet rake down, back drag it. as for the bottom drive forward and stop at the edge of woody cliff. going side ways the tractor is going to have a tendency to slide down hill, especially on grass.
I have a ratchet rake. it work awesome. I've taken down small trees. about and inch to inch and a half. roots and all. its pulled out rocks. I think you just have to get familar with it maybe on a level section then tackle the hill side.
best of luck

 

[Wacky]

I don't see why you're not going up and down the hill. going side ways is dangerous. you can drive up to the top of your property, and set the ratchet rake down, back drag it. as for the bottom drive forward and stop at the edge of woody cliff. going side ways the tractor is going to have a tendency to slide down hill, especially on grass.
I have a ratchet rake. it work awesome. I've taken down small trees. about and inch to inch and a half. roots and all. its pulled out rocks. I think you just have to get familar with it maybe on a level section then tackle the hill side.
best of luck

I don't own the top of the hill, there is a fence halfway up it I can only side hill because the fence is on the incline as well. I will probably hire a dozer to work it so I can traverse it w/ my MMM.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Maybe try a landscape rake? I don't know, but to me a ratchet rake seems kinda useless. I would think you could tackle the task with a toothbar on the FEL or a rear landscape rake. I don't have a ratchet rake but from what I've seen I'm not that impressed with them.

Often times people don't see the value of something they don't have and have never seen, used or seen anyone else use. I'm not sure what you've seen to not be impressed.
I've had a toothbar and sold it. After trying it I wasn't impressed with it. I had a landscape rake and after trying it I was impressed with it for what it was for. Sold the landscape rake and occasionally miss it.
Have bought two ratchetrakes, still have one and plan to always have one as long as I have a FEL. It's one of the finest and most used implements I own. It's great for brush clearing straight on and back grading and fantastic for leveling out loose dirt to seed planting ready by back grading with fine teeth.
Boxblade, toothbar and landscape rake are not competitors to the Ratchetrake. They each have their own purpose.

 

[adjusterr]

Don't give up on that Ratchet Rake, keep changing your method until you find one that works. I live on the side of a mountain and alot of my ground is on an incline and I have had no problem using the RR to clear brush, small trees, multi-flora rose and other junk. I just repaired water damage to my 2/10 mile driveway today. Keep trying, good luck.