Which Landscape Rake for rocks and why?

[CompactTractorFan]

Well I was looking at the rake last night and noticed that the brand new TSC CountyLine rake is bent. The main beam is twisted. It is made of C channel and not made heavy enough. I used it less than 3 times and wasn't abusing it. Took it back to Tractor Supply. They didn't give me any hassle and that is one thing I do like about TSC. Oh well looks like I will be looking for another brand that is made stronger.

You might want to look at EverythingAttachments. I think they build their own rakes...

 

[dex3361]

You might want to look at EverythingAttachments. I think they build their own rakes...

Thanks Kyle I will.

 

[new jersey mike]

Mike,
That is a nice looking setup. I have the same model grapple and absolutely love it. Mine is the 64" model. Do you happen to know what size steel they put in between the main tines? I want to add that to mine, I didn't have it done when I bought it but wish I did.

It looks to be the same size as the primary pieces. And they are welded perfectly because I tapped them and they all ring out loud. Hey if you can play a steel drum maybe I should record a grapple music video ... :laughing:

 

[Boeing]

Dex, for the "in and down" rocks a BOX SCRAPPER with the diggers down works BUT....I have an un-touched field (3 acres) that I want to plant with deer food and had to get the milions of rocks out of. I used the Box scrape and pulled, jerked, clunked around the field. I filled countless buckets with rock from golf ball size to basketball size. AND found 3 of my diggers bent badly. Most of the large rocks are picked up and gone now but I still have lots of golf to baseball size left. The diggers are $29 each so I don't know what a good procedure would be......getting tired of climbing off the tractor, bending, lifting and tossing into the FEL......over and over and over.
IS there a better way or just keep doing this until FINALLY most rocks are gone? Can I plant over small rocks? Imagine if there were 10 or 20 acres?????:confused2:

 

[Piston]

.... I used the Box scrape and pulled, jerked, clunked around the field. I filled countless buckets with rock from golf ball size to basketball size. AND found 3 of my diggers bent badly.

Just out of curiosity, What type and size box blade do you have? Is it heavy duty?

 

[dex3361]

Dex, for the "in and down" rocks a BOX SCRAPPER with the diggers down works BUT....I have an un-touched field (3 acres) that I want to plant with deer food and had to get the milions of rocks out of. I used the Box scrape and pulled, jerked, clunked around the field. I filled countless buckets with rock from golf ball size to basketball size. AND found 3 of my diggers bent badly. Most of the large rocks are picked up and gone now but I still have lots of golf to baseball size left. The diggers are $29 each so I don't know what a good procedure would be......getting tired of climbing off the tractor, bending, lifting and tossing into the FEL......over and over and over.
IS there a better way or just keep doing this until FINALLY most rocks are gone? Can I plant over small rocks? Imagine if there were 10 or 20 acres?????:confused2:

Golf ball size and down for a deer food plot I would plant it. Even for a lawn golf ball and down will settle into the ground. After planting a lawn and cutting it high for a while then in the spring use a lawn roller to press the rocks down to the level of the soil.

 

[jenkinsph]

Reading through this thread again and knowing I have a customer job coming up with lots of rocks decided to work on a comb for this project. It may not work the best but with a little time and materials I think I will give it a shot.

I will post some pics soon.

 

[Boeing]

"Sunburst" is the brand.....on internet as RHF Farm Equip.
3 Point Box Blade, 5 Shank, Medium Duty Box Blade - Category 1 5' wide

Heavy Duty welded steel construction. Used for leveling, back filling and grading. Comes standard with adjustable scarifier shanks with replaceable points and two heat treated cutting edges, one front and one rear, which are reversible and replaceable. MADE IN THE USA!
Description: 5' Light Duty Box Blade Weight: 350 lbs.

I bought it at a Farm Impliment and Supply place in Bonifay Fl. I thought it was light so I had Two support braces welded from box corner to top hitch. The unit has done all right but I am bending diggers. Always the outer ones. I AM making large arc turns at the ends of the field.....maybe I should raise it to turn?

About the rakes.....I had thought about finding rake tines and bolting them on the rear of the box scrapper? duh?

 

[2manyrocks]

Got to raise that box in the turns.

I have no idea what you're planting, but there is such a thing called a seed drill and it can be used to plant grass without digging up all the rocks in a field. You might check to see if you can rent one from your local farmers coop and if it can be used to plant whatever it is you want in your plot. That's what was recommended to me for my fields (note my TBN name, too).

 

[dex3361]

Well I picked up another landscape rake today. There is a used farm equipment dealer that had a new old stock Hawkline 7" rake that is built heavier than the Countyline TSC unit that bent when I used it. I am gun shy about bending this one so I am going to beef it up a little before using it.
Hawkline Rake

 

[dex3361]

Here are a few pics of the 3x4 box tubing that I used to reinforce the Hawkline Landscape rake. I tried it out and used it the same way I used the weak TSC rake that I took back. I win rowed the smaller rocks and it worked really well. best of all it didn't bend or warp. I may make up a set of wheels if I see the need. I will make up a stand for it as well.

 

[dex3361]

I just love it when a weld does this. I used 1/8 6013 rods on something like this and they put down such a nice looking weld. I will use it a bit and then paint it. The last pics shows that the tines are made in Italy supposedly where the better tines are made. I guess we shall see.

 

[Boeing]

That was a smart idea adding the box steel to the frame. Nice welds too. I think I'll start looking for a rake, these rocks are just too much on/off tractor, bending, lifting, throwing in bucket....it never ends Thanks for the photos.

 

[dex3361]

That was a smart idea adding the box steel to the frame. Nice welds too. I think I'll start looking for a rake, these rocks are just too much on/off tractor, bending, lifting, throwing in bucket....it never ends Thanks for the photos.

that area doesn't look that big but I have removed 50 6' bucket loads of rocks from that area. I just could not hand pick that area in less than a few weeks and that is not how I wanted to spend my time.

 

[jenkinsph]

that area doesn't look that big but I have removed 50 6' bucket loads of rocks from that area. I just could not hand pick that area in less than a few weeks and that is not how I wanted to spend my time.

Sometimes you have to give up a little soil in the name of efficientcy, as you mentioned you could spend an inordinate amount of time sifting and picking throught the debris. Have to consider what your time is worth, so I agree.

 

[dex3361]

Sometimes you have to give up a little soil in the name of efficientcy, as you mentioned you could spend an inordinate amount of time sifting and picking throught the debris. Have to consider what your time is worth, so I agree.

Yes you are right though I was surprised how well wind rowing the rocks separated the soil out. You do end up loosing soil.