Who makes the best power rake / soil conditioner?

[Thomabear]

Thanks Ed! It looks like the unit I purchased has at least a couple of those weak spots addressed. I haven’t confirmed the material of the chain tensioner rollers or gate but the chain housing has 3/8” flat bar fully welded wrapping the bottom of the housing as well as adjustable skids and laminated solid wheels. The whole unit is over 1400 pounds so I would think the roller is pretty thick but I can’t confirm that. We will see how it holds up because I will definitely be putting it through some tough ground and gravel roads. Thanks for the reply.

 

[amhicks21]

They quit making em a few years ago but if you could get your hands on an ATI 805 preseeder you'd find there is nothing that produces a smoother grade due to the hydraulically adjusted rear roller giving a much more accurate orientation than other 2 wheeled models. ive been using em for about 15 years along with ctl soil conditioners.

 

[oosik]

Years ago I looked at power rakes. Then I saw the price!!! I have a mile long gravel driveway and parts of my yard had been "attacked" by pocket gophers.

I use the "old" methods. Disk harrow, rear blade, LPGS. These are ALL Class 2 - very HD implements.

Yes - it's slower. But all my implements listed still don't cost what a power rake does. AND they have far more uses than just a power rake.

 

[Thomabear]

They quit making em a few years ago but if you could get your hands on an ATI 805 preseeder you'd find there is nothing that produces a smoother grade due to the hydraulically adjusted rear roller giving a much more accurate orientation than other 2 wheeled models. ive been using em for about 15 years along with ctl soil conditioners.

 

[Thomabear]

That looks like a very nice machine that delivers great results. I find it strange they got away from the roller. Probably a cost cutting initiative.

 

[amhicks21]

That looks like a very nice machine that delivers great results. I find it strange they got away from the roller. Probably a cost cutting initiative.

well, I cant be sure but I think they probably saturated their own market by selling the same implement for 37 years. basically every landscaper around my area has em and they only need to fix moving parts since the main structure is pretty bulletproof. The roller gives the best results for sure, but its not without problems. any amount of excess moisture causes mud to collect and that causes all kinds of headaches.