How good or useful is a tractor rake?

[JBacon52]

Not sure if York still makes drop down blade rake combo,it's costly but worth it.

I've got an 8' York with the drop down blade, and yes they do still offer that option.. Optional Attachments : York Modern

 

[bgr]

Reading all the comments, I'd say my experience with my rake is typical. It is very handy once you have put in the time to get used to it. Setting the height is critical, as height a little too low can create a huge pile of dirt mixed with whatever you are raking which you have to fork through by hand. Two gauge wheels are a must as "hanging" the rake on the 3ph just does not work, you need gauge wheels to control the height and follow ground level properly. With them, you can dethatch a lawn, skim the manure off an arena, or make a final pass along the side of the road to pull a gravel windrow back in after the passes which have smoothed the road. Be sure to adjust the height so the wheels are on the ground all the time, not just skimming it.

If you have rear hydraulic outlets, a hydraulic top cylinder, swivel cylinder, and hydraulic side link save a lot jumping off the seat. With or without rear hydraulics, a rake takes a bit of practice, but it can do a lot once you know it. But you will drive yourself crazy without gauge wheels.

 

[thankyouTBN]

I guess I'll soon have 40 attachments!
I recently got a stump grinder which does a great job but leaves a foot deep pile of chips and dirt. I have 40 pines all in a row to do.
I was thinking about a rake like this TSC or similar.
1) if I use it for small limbs, sticks or leaves does it work for that?
2) does it damage the lawn. I have hydraulic top link so I can change angle
3) It won't get a lot of use. What's the best bang for the buck?
4) 6ft.? (50hp Deere)
5) We have a horse paddock that's compacted with sand on it. It's about 50x60, level & hard as concrete. Horse piles I clean area every 2 weeks or so. Would it work for that?
I have a 7ft rear blade or sometimes just the FEL bucket...but I then have to put a little more sand down.
6) Is it useful for anything else?

Thanks so much...View attachment 4265190

 

[Ideehoan]

Could someone show a close pic of how gauge wheels attach to the rake? I’m considering if I can buy a set and fab the attachment.

 

[thankyouTBN]

I guess I'll soon have 40 attachments!
I recently got a stump grinder which does a great job but leaves a foot deep pile of chips and dirt. I have 40 pines all in a row to do.
I was thinking about a rake like this TSC or similar.
1) if I use it for small limbs, sticks or leaves does it work for that?
2) does it damage the lawn. I have hydraulic top link so I can change angle
3) It won't get a lot of use. What's the best bang for the buck?
4) 6ft.? (50hp Deere)
5) We have a horse paddock that's compacted with sand on it. It's about 50x60, level & hard as concrete. Horse piles I clean area every 2 weeks or so. Would it work for that?
I have a 7ft rear blade or sometimes just the FEL bucket...but I then have to put a little more sand down.
6) Is it useful for anything else?

Thanks so much...View attachment 4265190

I find my 8 foot Land Pride, tractor rake to be tremendously helpful. Oh my God there were so many projects that I’ve used it for that would’ve killed me if I didn’t have it. Besides preparing soil for grass seating, I use it for all kinds of other purposes. One time my neighbor dropped a tree, and it was really old and all the branches shattered into small pieces. The guys working for the company really seem like they were busting their ass picking up all those little pieces so I volunteered to break them all up into a pile, pick him up with my bucket and dump them in the woods.
Have used it several times for “excavating”. I put a gravel border around too small barns. I was terrified to use the loader bucket thinking I was gonna push down poured concrete foundation. The foundation is in pretty bad condition. I also used it next to the house to excavate the dirt in combination with the loader bucket. Same deal I was terriblyafraid to damage the 1938 poured concrete foundation if I used just the loader bucket,It would be just my luck. I put in a very pretty brick patio, where there was some in my opinion very ugly landscaping elements. I would use the rake to get up right close to the house so there was a minimum of hand shoveling. I’m getting older and that stuff kicks my ass. I use it frequently for “excavating“, incredibly handy tool. Second, only to my homemade three point hitch forklift forks.

 

[bgr]

For an idea of how to attach or fabricate gauge wheels, go on line and look at pics of land Pride or York rakes on their websites.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I like to fabricate but I'd probably buy one with gauge wheels or order the wheel kit.

 

[bgr]

Looking at the pics of the gauge wheels you posted, the tires on the orange rake and on the red hubs in the close up look pretty light duty. Might want to look at the York rake Co. site to see ones more HD.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Could someone show a close pic of how gauge wheels attach to the rake? I’m considering if I can buy a set and fab the attachment.

The York rake has a bracket bolted to the frame on one end and a short sleeve welded to the other. A threaded T handle screws into the sleeve and allows for height adjustment of the wheel yoke.

 

[Jaygyver]

I use mine for the wooded trails/path to pick up branch's and a couple of years ago I roto'ed about 2 acres around the house and the driveway between me and the neighbors and it was great picking up the left over sod, grass and softball to football size rock. As it filled up I just left the piles and then came back and was able to run over them a few more times then was able to just rake up what was left.
I do have gravel left around the shop I use it for every so often to knock down the high/low spots, I just bend every other tine back a few inches and seems to work a bit better not bunching up.