T5 Harley power rake question??

[gregp]

I posted this same question on the attachments board, I am trying to get all the replies i can get.
I am about to make a deal on a T5 Harley Power Rake. Here is the big question. Will this tool work on my tractor?I have a brand new TC24DA tractor. It has 18.8 to 19 hp at the pto. Glenmac says it requires 16 to 22 pto hp. They say if i had only 16hp it may be questionable.
Is there a huge operational difference between 16 and 19 hp? (yes i know, 3hp for all the funny guys.lol)
I spoke with a guy at a rental yard and he said i need 40 hp or more. He said i could use it to skimm pass, the top 1'' of soil but i wouldnt be able to go the 3-4 inches the rake is intended for due to the lack of power in the NH tc24.
I have several people that will hire me as soon as i get it, but, I need to know if it will do the job before i shuck out many thousands of clams for a tool that may or may not work.
I need to make up my mind in the next week or so. Any help will be more than appreciated. Thank you, Gregp

 

[beenthere]

Hope you will let us know how it does work with the lower HP.

I think it will work, but will not be satisfactory if you are doing work for others. They will expect more work done per hour that you are charging them.

 

[gregp]

beenthere, Have you ran a power rake? Have you heard of anyone running the rake with this size tractor? I really need to learn as much as possible soon. Thanks, gregp

 

[gamble77]

I have sold two harley power rakes, one of which was a skid steer model and the other for a tractor. The tractors was a larger Massey with 40+hp. I don't stock these things, just sale on a "as needed" basis. Having said that the man that purchased the rake for the tractor has had nothing but positive things to say about it...however, he has told me that at times it can bog his tractor down. I will have to read up on the literature but I believe they offer two different models for tractors (I think I remember him ordering the larger one for his tractor?). Anyway, again I am no expert just have sold two of them and never operated one myself. I will be glad to try to look up some specs for you though if you would like.

-Nate

 

[gregp]

I have the brochure and video but would like to hear some first hand or real good second hand info. thanks,greg

 

[beenthere]

Greg
Yes, pic attached.
Used my Deere 4300 (31hp) and this combination worked very well. At no time did the question of 'not enough hp' enter in the picture, but moving everything around on muddy soil was an issue early on.
The first pass was a bit on the damp side, but was being pushed by threatening clouds. Turned out, the first pass loosened the 'winter packed' soil and helped it dry quickly. Also, this first pass leveled the erosion ruts very well.

The second pass left it ready for grass seed and then a light raking to cover the seed. Finished 2 acres around the house in less than a day, along with other FEL work.

 

[Laminarman]

Do you run these things right over sod? I have a (soon to be) 4 acre lawn that will need to be done. I have a preliminary quote of $8,000 to have it done by a local landscape company (yikes...). Suddenly the picture changed? I have a 40HP NH TC40DA. Thanks. I can't rent one near me, but would consider a purchase, use, and resale and save some several thousand dollars?

 

[jwilkes]

I have a TC33D (hydro) pulling a T6 harley rake ,the guy from Glenmac told me the TC33D would do a good job and it does, but when you really load it up say ripping out sod etc you really need more tractor so sad to say my TC33D is for sale and I will be going green with a 4720 . Hope this helps and not discourages.

 

[beenthere]

My experience with sod is that it doesn't do a very fast job, especially on old sod. Too packed down. But by continually scratching at it, it will wear down the high spots and fill in the low ones.
On newer sod, it will work better, but I would prefer to till it first with a tiller, and then use the Harley. Total time would be less and the preparation for seeding would be better, IMO.

I prefer to cut the tall weeds that may grow on un-seeded areas, just so they don't get wound into the rotating 'rake'.

Hard to avoid the occasional wire, or steel strapping left by the builders either, and sometimes it takes a bit of work to get it untangled.

 

[jwilkes]

I agree with been there cutting tall weeds and hitting the site with a tiller first and then the harley rake the job goes quicker and easier.