Ratchet Rake

[ssmith general]

As with the toothbar vs RR. They will do different jobs or do the jobs differently.
The RR is up front and the bucket can reach places that a following BB can't. The BB may pick the needles up and the RR will not. I can see pulling needles back to a pile then if one has a BB then maybe coming along and letting the BB pick them up. If one doesn't have a BB then the RR can pull the needles to a pile then it's get off the tractor time and hand load the needles into the front bucket or back drag the needles to their final resting site.

Or just plan big sweeping circles. I see what you're saying.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

If one were to hit a big rock or stump while back dragging would it pull the bar off of the bucket?

I don't think so. Never has moved for me and I've hit alot of stuff. It usually rolls bigger rocks or the back of the bucket would hit anything to big before the RR even hit it but no, it's not going to come off, in my opinion. The slots in the RR that fit over the bucket lip are deep enough that the pressure is transmitted to the bucket edge except for that rare instance where the angle would be such that it would be pulling straight back but again, the wire/strap cable is wrapping around the bucket on two sides to distribute the pull force against the bucket.
Oops, how did those pictures of my new Challenger R/T get in there?

 

[bikerdib]

I decided to go a different route,

Brush grubber/rake - TractorByNet.com