How good or useful is a tractor rake?

[Captain Dirty]

Few of us on TBN have the practice and skill to keep implements on the 3-point of our compact tractors level as the tractor pitches on uneven ground. I'll wager fewer still have draft control on their compact or smaller tractor or even know what draft control does. As many have stated, gauge wheel are almost a necessity with landscape rakes. I concur with their usefulness. I also concur with the practice of less aggressive raking with the tines reversed (concave backwards with respect of direction of travel). A shopper for a rake should be aware of some geometries that may affect these practices.

Can one spin the rake 360° (or 180°)? Some structures may impinge on this. A long rake may not turn when attached, or the parking stand stub may interfere. Other structures may strike the arm between the 3-point and rake swivel. The quickest work-around is to rake "reversed" in reverse. How close are the gauge wheels to the tines? On York rakes the casters do not have clearance between the vertical pin and the tines. On my Land-Pride there is enough room for the wheels to pivot 360°, and the longer arms make for smoother raking but limit some close space maneuverability. This is not an endorsement for either brand but somethings to consider when shopping.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Understanding Draft Control---Here's a thread on draft control. Yes, landscapes rake without it but they tend to raise high spots further and the low spots lower. Draft control is where the magic happens.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/understanding-draft-control.443419/

Thanks. I'll have to read it carefully. When I first got my Deere the hitch arms pulsed up and down so I adjusted draft all the way where it's been ever since.