RATCHET RAKE TODAY // FEL Bucket Attachment

[jeff9366]

Ratchet Rake is very useful bucket enhancement for $299/52".

Pulled Vitus rotundfolia grape vines out of the ground and out of Oak trees with Ratchet Rake on the bucket and tractor in reverse.

Then piled roots against tree trunks, sometimes pulling with Ratchet Rake, sometimes pushing with Ratchet Rake.

To decrease dirt component I "nose" the roots over several times with the Ratchet Rake.

Piles will be transported to burn pile when half dry using Payne's Clamp-On Aluminum Debris Forks/Photo #8.

 

[Don87]

Glad to hear it's working well for you. I've read lots of good reviews about the Ratchet Rake.

 

[rekees4300]

There are many threads on TBN about the Ratchet Rake. Don't recall anyone ever saying anything negative about it. I have one and it works great on briars and Buckthorn.

 

[B Hoofed]

What other attachment can go right from clearing brush to grading a gravel driveway?

 

[txdon]

My straps did break but I replaced them with ratchet rake's forest service chain connecting hardware. (just add chain)
http://ratchetrake.com/images/home-april2013/rake_fs_hardware.jpg

 

[jeff9366]

My straps did break but I replaced them with ratchet rake's forest service chain connecting hardware. (just add chain)

Are the FS chain binders more/less convenient to use than the winch/straps?

I have no experience with chain binders but I see them at TSC and NAPA.

I have nearly worn out the original winch/straps and have been considering other options.

Since I take RR on/off frequently CONVENIENCE and EASE OF USE are factors.

 

[txdon]

I haven't used the rake since I got them but they look just as easy, just hook and ratchet tight. The directions tell how to measure your bucket for your two lengths of chain that you purchase separately. Just make sure you bucket is compatible - see compatibility requirements below:

http://ratchetrake.com/images/ratchet_rake_fs.pdf

 

[jeff9366]

I had a minor issue with the OEM shackle pins unscrewing in use, allowing the RR to slip off, requiring return to the barn for a replacement shackle. This happened to me twice. Tightening shackle screw really hard, using a screwdriver through the hole on shackle screw, was not the answer.

I found 3/8" replacement shackles on eBay with a lock pin.

SHACKLE AUCTION LINK:

3 8" Shackle Clevis Safety Pin Peerless 1 Ton WWL | eBay

Problem solved. Ratchet Rake should supply similar secure shackle instead of current shackle.

 

[txdon]

My shackles never did unscrew. Looks like you found an inexpensive fix, nice to know those exist.

 

[jeff9366]

I smoothed a field for a friend today. Ratchet Rake on the bucket, Bush Hog (brand) Rollover Box Blade on the Three Point Hitch.

For swells 18" to 24" high, I used the Box Blade rippers to cut through the Bahia grass and initiate grass + dirt move. Followed by the Box Blade cutting edge to collect and transport larger volume ( 5 X ) of exposed dirt to depressions.

For minor swells around 6" high, I back-dragged with the Ratchet Rake. The lower, vertical teeth cut through the Bahia and pulled 2-1/2" of soil to low spots with each chomp, with the tractor moving in reverse. Worked very well.

Soil moisture was optimum.

After a couple good rains to settle the dirt, I will go over the entire field with my ETA Landscape Rake with gauge wheels, to make the field perfect.

Here are three photos I took today. Sorry for #3. It opens 'portrait' oriented.

 

[Tomtint]

I bought one of those a year or so ago. It worked well but the teeth wore out very quick. ...very quick.

 

[txdon]

I bought one of those a year or so ago. It worked well but the teeth wore out very quick. ...very quick.

Are you talking about a ratchet rake? What did you drag it on? Picture please!

 

[von-mil]

The paint on the teeth may wear out quickly but not the steel. More details please.

 

[jeff9366]

I own both a Ratchet Rake and a Rollover Box Blade.

I have been contemplating Ratchet Rake versus light Box Blade this morning.

I like the Ratchet Rake, which I recommend based on 600 hours experience.

This post concerns Ratchet Rakes Vs. light Box Blades, such as the 60" Land Pride BB1260/346 pounds/69 pounds per foot.

I searched for the weight of Kubota L3301 bucket but could not find a number. I presume L3301 bucket weighs approximately 240 pounds, extrapolating from other kubota specs. 68" Ratchet Rake weighs 88 pounds. Adding 240 + 88 = 328 pounds, pretty close to 346 pounds of BB1260 Box Blade.

In addition, the (operator controlled) weight of the FEL frame bears on the Ratchet Rake. Likewise, weight of the Three Point Hitch bears on the Box Blade. FEL frames weigh much more than ( 3X? 4X?) Three Point Hitch components. So, including some FEL weight, I guesstimate that ground contact pressure on Ratchet Rake and BB1260 would be at least equal, perhaps greater pressure on the Ratchet Rake.

Further in Ratchet Rake's favor you have articulation of bucket/RR combination in two planes from the operator's station and 1-1/2" serrated teeth on the Ratchet Rake.

Box Blade can be raised and lowered hydraulically from the operator's station. Box Blade angle of attack is adjustable via the Three Point Hitch Top Link, but not from the operator's station. Standard Box Blade does not have rippers, standard is a smooth cutting edge.

Ratchet Rake is capable of tearing up sod with its serrated teeth, the initial operation in much grading. The Ratchet Rake will not pull as large a load as a Box Blade but it may pull 40% of capacity of BB1260 per pass, with faster cycles. Ratchet Rake is more intuitive in operation than a Box Blade, which requires considerable experience to operate efficiently.

This is why I feel the Ratchet Rake is superior to light Box Blades for LIGHT grading.

This is a novel assessment of the Ratchet Rake. Subject to revision and modification.

When I have heavy grading to do, I mount my 60"/625 pound (125 pounds per foot) Bush Hog (brand) Rollover Box Blade on the tractor's Three Point Hitch AND the Ratchet Rake on my FEL bucket.

 

[bcp]

You could buy a Ratchet Rake to fit your box blade or rear blade. Or be lucky enough that your bucket Ratchet Rake would fit your box blade. It would likely fit a tear blade of about the same size.

Anyone tried a Ratchet Rake on their rear implement?

Bruce

 

[jeff9366]

POST #11:
I bought one of those a year or so ago. It worked well but the teeth wore out very quick. ...very quick.

Here is one of Tomtint's recent posts:

My L3700 is 5 1/2 years old now. It has about 180 hours on it.

Sometimes helpful that we can read past posts by all authors. Thirty-three engine hours per year.

Tomtint posts 2/3 disgruntled comments. I think it sage to disregard Tomtint's Post #11.

 

[RaydaKub]

The paint on the teeth may wear out quickly but not the steel. More details please.

I may have scratched my paint just last night after (admittedly) infrequent, moderate use for 4 years. First job I did was digging into an old rock pile on the farmstead, nary a scratch.

 

[murphy1244]

Here is one of Tomtint's recent posts:



Sometimes helpful that we can read past posts by all authors. Thirty-three engine hours per year.

Tomtint posts 2/3 disgruntled comments. I think it sage to disregard Tomtint's Post #11.

Are you calling him out??? What is this sage you refer too? He may have more than 1 tractor Jeff.

 

[txdon]

Are you calling him out??? What is this sage you refer too? He may have more than 1 tractor Jeff.

I have broken a strap on the ratchet rake when I was back dragging and hit a stump but the rake did not bend. I cannot see the teeth wearing down on the "RATCHET RAKE" unless drug on cement for a long time. There is a possibility he is calling something else a "Ratchet Rake".

So yes we are calling Tomtint out and requesting a picture to prove his Post # 11.

Just to be fair, here is a pic of my broken cable - notice the teeth show no wear just a little missing paint.

 

[murphy1244]

I have broken a strap on the ratchet rake when I was back dragging and hit a stump but the rake did not bend. I cannot see the teeth wearing down on the "RATCHET RAKE" unless drug on cement for a long time. There is a possibility he is calling something else a "Ratchet Rake".

So yes we are calling Tomtint out and requesting a picture to prove his Post # 11.

Just to be fair, here is a pic of my broken cable - notice the teeth show no wear just a little missing paint.

Maybe he don't have a camera..Calling him a liar is going a bit far.