Rear back blade / Landscaping rake?

[RoyJackson]

Well, it is a "light lubricant", but I guess the spray grease would be best. I've never used any before...

Good stuff...I use Fluid Film more often now, but I used the spray white grease on the tractor's PTO shaft, the cylinder rods and quite a few other things. It's a lubricant, but I used it more for preservation.

 

[RoyJackson]

I thought about doing that, but the only thing that concerns me about lubricating the swivels, since they are not sealed, if you grease or oil it, it will attract dirt.

That is a trade off, but these aren't precision machined surfaces and it's not like you're going to rotate either implement too often (relatively speaking).
You should be more concerned about rust. Since I did bring up Fluid Film, you might want to try that...good stuff.

 

[lzicc]

You bring up a good point.

You should be more concerned about rust.

 

[djradz]

I thought about doing that, but the only thing that concerns me about lubricating the swivels, since they are not sealed, if you grease or oil it, it will attract dirt.

Good application for LPS-3. It forms a waxy layer that prevents rust and will not attract dust. Using grease, oil or WD-40 might do as much harm as good. Maybe fluid film will work, but my experience with it is it stays soft and tacky far too long. Once there's a fair amount of grit in the stuff, it may act more like a cutting/buffing compound than a lubricant. Yes, it still will provide some rust resistance, but not much else of any benefit.

 

[reasley]

Greasing isn't really necessary. The swivel aren't under any constant load or are swiveled that often.
You can use a spray white grease and give the swivels a good shot. I've done this with a very old (no idea of the brand, but wouldn't be surprised if it's older then I am) rear blade I've had for years...still swivels.
If these implements are left outside, it probably wouldn't hurt to spray them occasionally (prevent rust).

Good evening, Roy --

I just bought a CountyLine 7' landscape rake (made for TSC by King Kutter, and same as King Kutter) this past Friday. Since that time, I have used it approximately 12-15 hours from Friday through Sunday and I would respectfully disagree on both the lubrication and the amount that it is swiveled!

The first couple of hours (before greasing) it was a pain in the butt -- hard to move positions and the "securing pin" had to be hammered out each time because it was binding -- so much so that I was considering welding a new one with a "T" on top. I finally took a break, put the tractor in the stable, jacked up the rake on the swivel with a hydraulic jack and coated it *liberally* with lithium grease (tube type), then let the jack down so the swivel would "take in the grease. Did this on both sides, also coated the "adjustment plate" liberally on both sides, and coated the securing pin liberally with lithium grease.


Difference in "performance" is phenomenal -- the rake adjusts with ease and, no matter how rough the most-recent use, the securing pin never binds -- can be easily pulled out by hand.


You are probably wondering why I spent so much time with the rake. We have a horse stables and here were the things that I did with the landscape rake:


1. We just had a large dressage arena (~60' x 200' + 10' borders) leveled by a grader two weeks ago. Lots of loose rocks (generally 3" or less) floated to the surface. Spent about 4-5 hours "de-rocking" and breaking up soil clods and moving excess to a storage area. Ended up with four pretty large mounds of rock-filled dirt.


2. Grader also graded the roads on the property and I raked the roads thoroughly to ensure more uniformity of remaining rocks (primarily pea gravel-sized now).


3. Moved "oversized rocks" (mixed with some pea gravel) from roads to stable to put in parking lot.

4. Raked some accumulated leaves from under oak trees.

Great implement, should have had it several years ago.

By the way, congratulations on the new 4400!

Richard Easley
Waco, Texas

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

I use spray graphite on just about all non bearing places now. It does not attract dust and dirt, doesn't wash off, it also works into the metals and does a pretty good job of preventing rust. My favorite is JD slip clutch kind. Just don't get it where you don't want it! Also, let the carrier flash off before moving the joint.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Good evening, Roy --

I just bought a CountyLine 7' landscape rake (made for TSC by King Kutter, and same as King Kutter) this past Friday. Since that time, I have used it approximately 12-15 hours from Friday through Sunday and I would respectfully disagree on both the lubrication and the amount that it is swiveled!

.....

Richard Easley
Waco, Texas

I agree on greasing the swivel. I have a Leinbach 6' landscape rake that I use commercially and it gets rotated many times a day. Luckily the Leinbach unit has a solid steel king pin that rides in a bushing with a grease fitting, keep it greased and it swing very easy.

I also have a 6' Leinbach rear blade that doesn't have a grease fitting, it just uses a large piece of pipe for the king pin (similar to the ones TSC sells). I don't use it nearly as much so it doesn't get any grease.

 

[bigdad]

I use spray graphite on just about all non bearing places now. It does not attract dust and dirt, doesn't wash off, it also works into the metals and does a pretty good job of preventing rust. My favorite is JD slip clutch kind. Just don't get it where you don't want it! Also, let the carrier flash off before moving the joint.

I agree 100%. Use it all the time.. both spray and brush on.