What a handy attackment....Rake

[RobJ]

I built this rake a couple weeks ago, catch that in the build it yourself section, just got to try it out today. I have never seen one in action so I wasn't sure how well it would work. Well I can tell you that there are a few things that work like they are supposed to, a rake is high on that list. It raked up more stuff than I knew what to do with it. Only down sides are if you make a turn you will lose some stuff. I would usually wind row it, then drag it off. Also at times it would lose some of the load going over uneven ground or over small tree stumps(a few inches). Some of this I would expect. So if you want to see how a rake works...enjoy the pics below.

 

[RobJ]

Here is a link to the rake build....very easy. I even painted it...black as usual!!

 

[RedDirt]

I agree, they are a marvelous tool and an immense time saver. I followed your post as you were building. I like the push feature you added. Have you tried it out in reverse yet? I found I could push much more than I could pull because the debris did not bunch up underneath the tractor.

Here's my rake.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/112451-good-landscape-rake-cheap.htmlhttp://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...0-good-landscape-rake-cheap-1-leaf-rake-2.jpg

 

[RobJ]

I agree, they are a marvelous tool and an immense time saver. I followed your post as you were building. I like the push feature you added. Have you tried it out in reverse yet? I found I could push much more than I could pull because the debris did not bunch up underneath the tractor.

Here's my rake.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/112451-good-landscape-rake-cheap.htmlhttp://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...0-good-landscape-rake-cheap-1-leaf-rake-2.jpg

Not yet, I had a place in the brush where I could dump the load. A couple other places I spread out the piles and will eventually hit it with the bushhog, that'll mulch it and spread it out in the area I don't care about.

Cool rake!!

 

[Rowdius]

I like the design. Your tines are eaiser to remove than on the KK one I own. About the only thing that is missing is a swivel to be able to angle or even reverse the blade without having to rehook, but as that yours cost probably less than half than a new one, that is more than acceptable.

Good job!

 

[SuperCobra]

Here is a link to the rake build....very easy. I even painted it...black as usual!!

Rob,
The link to the build you posted didn't work for me. I'm curious if you found a good deal on the tines. They look the same as the bushhog tines. I've bent or broke almost a third of mine. Local dealer here wants $13 each. I'm almost considering buying a whole new rack - it would only be a few dollars more than the tines if purchased individually.
Randy

 

[RedDirt]

About the only thing that is missing is a swivel to be able to angle or even reverse the blade without having to rehook, but as that yours cost probably less than half than a new one, that is more than acceptable.

Good job!

So Rob, on your next one... why not make the front and rear push rods connect to the rake bar with a hinge? Then with several pin locations on the push bar the rake could be angled . And... if a few hinges were located along the rake bar, the push rods could be pinned on in various side-to-side configurations and the rake could be side shifted . Side shifted AND angled? Sweet

I love my little Wards rake especially for its maneuverability in tight spots. But If I build a bigger rake for the bota I'd seriously consider your design and try to configure the side-shift/angle features.

 

[bjr]

Agri-Supply has tines I haven't check the price lately but I'll bet let than your dealer quoted. bjr

 

[RobJ]

I like the design. Your tines are eaiser to remove than on the KK one I own. About the only thing that is missing is a swivel to be able to angle or even reverse the blade without having to rehook, but as that yours cost probably less than half than a new one, that is more than acceptable.

Good job!

Thanks, even it I bought the steel, maybe $150-170. The 30 tines were about $110.

 

[RobJ]

Rob,
The link to the build you posted didn't work for me. I'm curious if you found a good deal on the tines. They look the same as the bushhog tines. I've bent or broke almost a third of mine. Local dealer here wants $13 each. I'm almost considering buying a whole new rack - it would only be a few dollars more than the tines if purchased individually.
Randy

Got to the Build it yourself forum, then look for My Rake Build. Or search my recent posts, you'll find it.

Tines were from Agri Supply. They had $2 each chinese made and $3 each Italian made if I recall. So just the tines were a little over $100. Bummer I thought I was going to have a couple spares, but the piece of channel I use was 5'3" and I didn't feel like cutting. So there went my 2 spares.

 

[RobJ]

So Rob, on your next one... why not make the front and rear push rods connect to the rake bar with a hinge? Then with several pin locations on the push bar the rake could be angled . And... if a few hinges were located along the rake bar, the push rods could be pinned on in various side-to-side configurations and the rake could be side shifted . Side shifted AND angled? Sweet

I love my little Wards rake especially for its maneuverability in tight spots. But If I build a bigger rake for the bota I'd seriously consider your design and try to configure the side-shift/angle features.

Good ideas and I considered them at first. But your last paragraph sums it up. Tight spots. I sort of like nothing wider than my tractor. This rake sort of pushes that limit espeicially being a little long. This will catch on a tree where the RC will sort of glance off. This past weekend I ran it through some tight ATV trails, got hung up twice because of tight turns and trees. On one I thought I was going to have to remove the rake, but a 3" cedar was pushed over.

For certain jobs, side to side and tilt may work good, but for me it just wasn't needed.

A rake is really sweet man!

 

[Bedlam]

SUPERCOBRA

Oh yea I bought some from here
Agri Supply - Where we have Something for Everyone for your Farm Shop & Home

Great company to do business with here my dealer wanted just over 15 dollars. and AG was like under 3 dollars.
They do the shipping buy the amount spent, so I spend the time to buy small items like pins etc to get close to the price change on the shipping.
My buddy bought a whole box full to fix his rake , the dealer would have cost well more that the rake was worth.LOL
Not sure if a dealer would work with you to give a reduced 'bulk' rate or not but worth a try and compare.
oh and then you get catalogs,

 

[RobJ]

The direct link..

LANDSCAPE RAKE TINES - Agri Supply

 

[SuperCobra]

Thank you both. I didn't know about Agri Supply. Measurements look the same as the bushhog. I'll definately go this route!