How do I create a level grade with a landscape rake (LR1684) & gauge wheels?

[johnsayen]

Hi all,

I've had an LR1684 for two years now and have been working to level out my beach - I recently hauled in 50 yards of clean sand and added a set of gauge wheels to the landscape rake with the idea being it would provide an equal depth of cut without following the contours of the land incurred by the tractor.

I've had some small levels of success with that but it's certainly not a flat or level grade like you'd see in a horse arena - far from it. I currently have the gauge wheels set to the highest setting (lowest depth of cut) - and wanted to ask what the most appropriate path forward is before making a change to the configuration.

Should I set the wheels lower and dig in with the tines more to achieve a level grade? I've tried finding a good video on this online to no avail.

I tried taking a picture and it doesn't really do it justice - there are some sloped significantly high spots and some low spots throughout the beach.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Redlands Okie]

Would need a laser set up for me to do the job. Hard to do it by eyeball alone.
Running the rake at a bit of a angle might help with minor grade differences, need to change the angle every so often or the direction the tractor is running.

 

[K5lwq]

Do you have the rake angled or pulling it square with the tractor?

I would set it on a good angle and start at the waters edge pulling so it throws the sand up on the shore. I would keep working in that same direction. On angle it is less likely to create hills and will level better.

 

[johnsayen]

Thank you for the tip, I have had the rake square/perpendicular with the tractor. When you angle the rake, do I need to set one gauge wheel lower than the other?

 

[K5lwq]

I would not set one lower than the other because the tractor would be tilted correctly if you work in the same direction. But I would set it low enough to throw the sand.

 

[scootr]

You need pretty wide gauge wheels to stay afloat in beach sand. If the wheels are narrow they may just be sinking in the sand

 

[bcp]

Wheels close to a blade/rake are good when smoothing. Wheels far behind are good when leveling.

Bruce

 

[Halftrack]

Is your top link in a fixed position or a slotted position that allows it to follow the contours more?

 

[nyone]

Back drag with your bucket.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I'd take the wheels off. Sell them. Keep your hands off the lift handle. Set it and forget it.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Hi all,

I've had an LR1684 for two years now and have been working to level out my beach - I recently hauled in 50 yards of clean sand and added a set of gauge wheels to the landscape rake with the idea being it would provide an equal depth of cut without following the contours of the land incurred by the tractor.

I've had some small levels of success with that but it's certainly not a flat or level grade like you'd see in a horse arena - far from it. I currently have the gauge wheels set to the highest setting (lowest depth of cut) - and wanted to ask what the most appropriate path forward is before making a change to the configuration.

Should I set the wheels lower and dig in with the tines more to achieve a level grade? I've tried finding a good video on this online to no avail.

I tried taking a picture and it doesn't really do it justice - there are some sloped significantly high spots and some low spots throughout the beach.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you

If your rake is level front to back. adjusting the angle should not affect side to side angle. What I have done when I have a dirt close to the level I want it, I use a 8' wide drag harrow flopped on its back so the tines are up and drag it back and forth and every angle I can make work, for a while, until I am satisfied with the grade.

 

[WranglerX]

Also dont get into a fixed pattern, use a random pattern the moves dirt is all directions...... I just drag with a make shift harrow made from chain link fence material folder over a "T" post and filled with a few large rocks, OR drag the 5 length of RR rail that acts like a land plane......

 

[airbiscuit]

Do you have the rake angled or pulling it square with the tractor?

I would set it on a good angle and start at the waters edge pulling so it throws the sand up on the shore. I would keep working in that same direction. On angle it is less likely to create hills and will level better.

That's good advice. I think I'd set the downhill side slightly lower with your 3 pt arm, and then make multiple passes. Keep your gauge wheels. They're great.

 

[bcp]

Try this old idea.

Best way to smooth this out? Tilled land.

Bruce

 

[johnsayen]

fixed position

 

[johnsayen]

I do have a heavy rear multi-angle blade - maybe I will swap that out to try to do some angled blade leveling/grading. I have been pulling the rake square/perpendicular to the tractor thus far. Thank you all for the help.

 

[K5lwq]

I do have a heavy rear multi-angle blade - maybe I will swap that out to try to do some angled blade leveling/grading. I have been pulling the rake square/perpendicular to the tractor thus far. Thank you all for the help.

With a blade I would work it the same way as the rake except when I get the shape and fall to the water where I wanted it I would turn the blade around backwards and drag it with no angle. That usually will make a very nice finish.