Tips on using a rock rake - or am I expecting too much?

[xtruckerbob]

I live in Louisiana and we have no rocks except on the drive which I grade with my rake, but I use my rake to rake up limbs and sticks on my fence row. I took off every other tine. For me it lets the dirt go though and saves the limbs. I also use it tilted 1/2 way to throw the dirt back the disc rolls over in the road and hay patch.

 

[Coyote machine]

I got it a couple months ago via a Craigslist ad in a package deal along with a 25 gallon sprayer set up. I have no idea how old it is, although I did find a model and serial number on it a couple days ago.

I'm not trying to level the ground; I'm trying to pick the rocks up e.g. a "rock" rake, that's what I got it for. Having said that, I leveled the field next to my shop a couple days ago, starting with the box blade and the rippers down one hole, then rock raked it. I was quite impressed with how well the RR leveled the ground. Not so much with how it picked up and moved the rocks.

I'm over 60: picking up rocks got old fast when I first started trying to get the rocks out of the field when I bought this place a couple years ago. Hence, why I bought a "rock" rake. It's sole purpose (at the time) was to collect and move the rocks to one place for easier disposal or pickup or whatever. If I have to go over 4-6-10 times, that's not gonna work out too well; way too much time and too much gas.

Since I bushhogged the field yesterday, I should go out and take another pic to show the remaining rocks.

Thanks,

I misunderstood what you were saying at the first post of your thread about getting a TSC rake in a package deal. I thought you were saying you got it new, as in a package deal they were running. I did not know you meant E-bay, obviously.
What I'm trying to say is the landscape rake is better working when you have already done some land levelling, like getting rid of or having cut the grassy areas and leveled any mole hills or rougher terrain. Then the rake can halp remove the rocks, but to do so effectively you will have to put into it whatever time it takes depending on what method you choose. I'm 63, and work woods, fields, driveways, ponds, culverts etc. with the list of equipment shown on my avatar page. Nothing is easy, but equipment makes many tasks more bearable. Lots of good TBN members have made some good suggestions as to how to get the rock collection done. I want to add maybe you can hire some younger kids, that want to earn some extra money to do the pick ahead of you task of collecting whatever rocks you un-earth? Relax, things worth doing take time. Imagine you were the first person to work your land 150 years ago or so. What would it have been like then?:confused3:

BTW, just a word of caution; I'd be extra careful of brush hogging an area full of various size rocks, especially without any kind of protection screen at the back of your tractor. Maybe at least wear a helmet, logging or motorcycle type to protect your head from the one that might get away and seek out your head for having dug it up......

More pics would help us help you.

 

[FTG-05]

Thanks Coyote, I'll take more pics later today. Gotta take the VKDs* to their first vet visit this morning first!

*Vicious Killer Dogs

 

[Hiltz]

Its never going to work in that grass. You need to till the field and have a dirt surface. Then use your rake.

 

[Barneyhunts]

FTG-O5,
Like you I also have a lot of rocks! I've raked them into windrows to the side, and straight ahead. I get them into a pile along with a lot of soil. Unless I want to lose the soil I pick them and put them in my loader. I'm thinking a rock bucket might help get them out of the windrow without a lot of soil, but I don't know for sure. I've picked them by hand in 5 gal. pails and in front of my tractor and every year I seem to have a new bunch to deal with. I plow,disc, etc. and think notill may help deal with them. Having said all that, I plant my food plots every year, and they grow nicely despite the rocks. Good luck with your plots,
Barney