2305 & Landscape Rake - 'Floating' 3PT Hitch??

[lanemc]

Background - Had the majority of the lawn around my new build seeded professionally early June of this year (not the best time i realize!). The gentleman prep'ing it used a full size tractor & ~6 foot landscape rake during the process & did a fine job. The rake had no guide wheels and as he spead along it seemed to simply run perfectly along the ground - never digging in, or appearing to do so. I had mowed the parts of the property that still had field grass on it several times prior to this & the surface wasn't horribly rough, but by no means perfect. He ran the rake over the entire 2.2 acres before seeding the area as well as after. 2 days later we had ~6 hours worth of torential rain - washing away several areas of seed (i was hoping something like this wouldn't have happened, but it did.)

My question - could I achieve the same sort of 'gliding' across the turf that he achieved with a 3PT landscape rake on my 2305 w/ limited 3PT Hitch or would the tines simply dig in as soon as the landscape became unlevel using the 2305? Do full size tractors w/ 'non-limited' 3PT Hitches have the ability to 'float' for lack of a better word? Or was he 'just that good' to make it appear that way?

I've looked at the local TSC and found this and this - sure there's others.

As well as re-prep'ing my lawn, I have ~ 280 feet of gravel drive I've heard can be nicely groomed using a landscape rake.

Just not sure that in my inexperienced hands this would be a tool that would do what i'd like. I'm always willing to get my hands dirty though!!!

Also, sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum - thought it was more of 3PT Hitch question than an attachment question - sort of.

thanks in advance for any/all advice.

 

[RalphVa]

The 3 ph floats with the jack shaft lever left in the down position. It'll float up from where it's dropped if left in the center position.

The rack tines are rounded on their tips, this would keep them from digging in.

What you needed before the rain storm was to put down seed protector mats. They're excellent for keeping seed and soil in place and mostly biodegrade with time. They help to retain moisture, too. Locally, Lowes and Southern States has them. I found the smaller rolls from Lowes easier to handle and would biodegrade better.

Ralph

 

[lanemc]

Thanks for the reply RalphVa!

Your description of the 3PH usage is exactly what i was looking/hoping for!

Have a whole mess of those seed protector mats in the garage as we speak - we live & learn i suppose.

Any experience with LR's and used gravel drive grooming?

Thanks again!

 

[rvtech]

I've tried going over my neglected gravel driveway several times with my new L.R. with good results. My recently purchased property has a gravel driveway/parking area that was mostly grass when we purchased it. I have added some limestone and have been spraying vegetation killer and dragging my loader bucket over it for the past several months. The grass seems to just keep growing. I purchased a small (48") L.R. to grade where I've been tilling trenches and rough lawn areas. I'm more satisfied with the driveway than the lawn so far. I may need to add some weight to the L.R. for the lawn grading. It seems pretty light with it's small size.

 

[lanemc]

hmm...might be leaning!

thanks for the insight - any other input, as always, would be appreciated.

LR's - hate them? love them? useful? or not?

 

[FortClatsop]

Back in May I spent several hours helping a friend prep his former woods into a nicely graded front yard at his new house. Lots of buried sticks and limbs and some rocks. I used both my box blade and landscape rake for the first time. I finally learned the value and meaning of position control. For a little while I dug in pretty good. As the day progressed I got much better. It required patience and is definitely a skill that must be achieved. It was not impossible though. I think that I would have had a much better time with gauge wheels. My Frontier is really a Woods rake. Cost of a wheel kit was quoted at $250. I wonder if I could buy the arms only and adapt my RFM wheels. I don't weld but I know people who do. I've heard that the wheels do a lot. I think if you are comparing brands and price you should look at a wheel kit as part of the package.

 

[twobigdog]

I have had an LR for several years. I keep my gravel driveway and parking area in good shape with it.

BUT, I still have a big problem wiht dressing up plain dirt on uneven ground.

As someone above said, there is a learning curve. Proper adjustment of the rake, and use of the float is a must.

BUT, I also agree that a wheel kit would make a huge difference, and would pay for itself in fuel you save trying to use just a plain LR.

 

[lanemc]

I also agree that a wheel kit would make a huge difference, and would pay for itself in fuel you save trying to use just a plain LR.

Interesting, as this is something I look at 'quantitatively' whenever I make a purchase such as this. I also don't want to get so 'frustrated' (in place of any number of other choice words!) with the implement that it simply sits there taking up garage space.

Sounds like guage wheels are a must for your average subcompact operator - that's me.

thanks for all of the varied input!!!

 

[StopherJ]

Have the Frontier rake and added guage wheels. Makes it easier to level and smooth and less digging in. Pricey, but worth it for the end results. Recently leveled a pile of dirt in a few minutes and all smooth when done. Without the wheels I would have had gouges and an unlevel result.

 

[Nolat]

Definitely with the wheels! Just have to adjust the wheel depth to keep the wheels from digging in. Just play around with the LR and you will get the hang of it in no time.