Landscape rake good for pine needles?

[tom correa]

I just bought a BX25 and am wondering if anyone uses a landscape rake for raking up pine needles and if so, how well does it work? Thanks.
Tom

 

[tom correa]

I should have been more specific on my question. I won't be trying to rake pine needles off turf. I want to rake them up from under the trees, which is dirt. Thanks for your response.
Tom

 

[RedDirt]

Tom,

Welcome aboard.

I have not used a landscape rake for pine needles because I thought it would create too much damage. Perhaps they work fine. As an alternative to a heavy rake I built my own lightweight version.



As light as it is it still leaves tine marks. But they are small and disappear fairly quickly.




See it post about it here

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/112451-good-landscape-rake-cheap.html

 

[northernjake]

Welcome Tom,
Although I have not used a landscape rake, and am interested in one myself, I think it would work pretty well if your terrain is fairly level. I mentioned that I was interested in a landscape rake, but before I buy one, there is a place locally where I can rent one for a few bucks on a weekend and see how it performs. From that experience, I will determine if I want to invest in one or not.

Only my 2 cents.... I'll bet you will get a response/s from folks that have "been there and done that".

Regards,
Jake

 

[Deano]

Tom,

I use my landscape rake on our dirt lane before it is graded. It works great! But, as already stated, it depends alot on ground condition etc. The lane I use it on is hard.

If you can find one to rent (already suggested) or borrow, you will find your answer before spending money .

Deano

 

[gwdixon]

If the soil underneath is too loose the rake will quickly fill up with dirt and act like a box scraper. If the dirt is hard packed it should work fine but will disturb and scarify the top half inch or so.

One technique I've used is to tilt the rake as far forward as possible by shortening the top link all the way. Then the rake has less "bite" in the ground and will slide across the top easier.

Trying to feather the 3 PT controls to just barely touch the ground is a waste of time even on perfectly flat concrete. The raking will be uneven no matter what. Try just setting it on the ground and then down a bit more to prevent gouging.

 

[ccsial]

I use a landscape rake to grade my gravel trail. It gets loaded with pine needles at times and the rake cleans them off very well. The biggest pain is getting them out of the rake after it fills up. I have gauge wheels on my rake and that keeps it from digging in but also makes removing the needles harder.

 

[MarkV]

We have about 1 mile of trails through our woods and that I rake the pine needles off of with a landscape rake. It works well but will fill up with needles to where they start rolling out under the rake. They do make a pine needle rake with finer tines. I have never used one so I can't say if it works any better.

MarkV

 

[rdsaustintx]

what about a tow-behind lawn sweeper??

 

[tom correa]

Thanks for all of the input on the landscape rake. Since I posted this I have heard about another implement called a pine straw rake which is supposed to be a bit lighter and easier on the ground. Anybody ever use one? If so, how well does it work? Thanks.
Tom