Rake My Thanks - Finally got my power rake

[JATO_RaT]

I don't have a tiller, I use my PRO 8 after I run the rippers on my boxscraper through the ground first. It sometimes ends up with many volleyball size dirt clods depending on soil conditions. It looks all but impossible to do a thing with. One pass with the Harley and it takes on an entirely different look. Its pretty amazing what it can do. By ripping the soil, you can get down deep and make leveling & pulverizing very easy. The hydrostatic transmission on my tractor is what makes everything work so well with each other, its a superb setup. Rat...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for the info guys, and please keep it coming. I had my first frustrating moment with the rake today. The lot I had roughed in with a bulldozer sat for several days, two of which we had rain. The soil, or should I say clay, had a chanch to settle and bake in the sun. When I pulled the rake across the dries high spots it started to violently bounce up and down. But this was only in the areas that had been highly compacted by the dozier.

So, the lesson learned today was to always take a tool that could break concrete if needed, especially when working in compacted clay.

The good news is that I went into two lots this afternoon that I had roughed in with a dozier that were very wet and looked very rough. One pass over with the rake made them look much more workable.

Do you guys use the lookout position very much? I find that I can do about the same with the position or length of the top link. Am I missing something or is this just another way of doing things?

 

[Rowski]

Glad to hear you like your rake. I'm going to purchase ours tomorrow. I'm getting a T-8. Got mine new for $6100 plus tax delivered (60 miles) at the dealer's convenience by the end of April. That is no big deal becuase we just got a foot of snow on Monday with more expected this weekend. So thing will not be workable till... who knows!

Enjoyed your information post about the different models and opinions. I did get a video from Harley about there rakes and was pretty impressed. Can't wait to use it!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Rowski: Everything the video says it can do it will. There is a little bit of time involved to get use to your soil conditions but it does not take long. I have about four days on mine now and it is only getting better. I am working new construction job sites and this thing does not miss a beat when it hits a football size piece of concrete that someone buried for me.

Everyone that drives by the job sites is slowing down and tatking notice. I guess that is good and bad /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif But it does make that kind of imression. Have fun with it and if you have any questions give us a call.

 

[BeeBop]

Hey DRichards, Called your buddy the other day and spoke w/him about the Harley Rake. I have a chance to get a great deal on another Kubota L-4610 or I am going w/another Cat Skid steer, don't know which yet but I need to do something soon. Everyone on my crew wants the skid steer but I know it's only because they are looking for A/C and an enclosed cab. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Tags]

Donnie,
I think the biggest advantage of a pro rake is that it comes with hydraulic scarifiers.It really makes a difference when you come across hard packed spots like you did,just lower the scarifiers and go.If this soil condition is common in your area you may want to look into adding scarifiers to your unit,it is a simple setup that you could probably fabricate yourself,it doesn't have to be a hydraulic setup either,manual would be fine too.You could call Glenmac directly and they would most likely sell you the parts to put it together,they are a great company that really stands behind their product and is willing to deal directly with their customers.Glad to hear you are enjoying your rake.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Hey Tags, I sold Arnold (Kubota L48)! I am now looking at a little L3130 or L3830 both HST. With the L3130, the TR-6 is a real possiblility. I think it should easily handle it. The question will be if it can handle a 84" mower. Hope everythings going great with the Spider (JD 110). Rat...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I now see where having the ability to break hard, compated soils would be an instant advantage. Not all the soils I work need this and the ones that do I have a set of chisel plows that are light weight and easy to transport. I used them on the last two jobs I did this week. Once I broke the compacted soil up a bit the jobs went much faster. If this is something that I find myself running into a lot I will consider the Pro when I purchase the next one - and I am sure there will be a next one.

Thanks for the impute. Donnie

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Rat: following your advise I took my chisel plow with me on a hard job. When I got done the lots looked a mess. But you are right, one pass and things were looking much better. With a little shaping and a couple of criss cross runs I was able to finish grade two 1.25 acre lots in 2.5 days. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gifThis was exactly the turn over I was looking for. The really cool thing is that we had thunder storms roll through in the last part of the day and had I not had the rake I would still be waiting to finish the jobs. I rained 2.5 inches today and we are expecting another 3 before the end of the week. Normally this would be another financial blow to the wallet. However, tomorrow I will go and pick up the checks for five finished jobs in less than two weeks /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So let it rain, my rear hydraulic kit finally came in and I want to get it on this week. Thanks again for the help. Donnie

 

[Anonymous Poster]

BeeBop: you've got to keep the workers happy so they keep you happy /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Let me know what you end up with and how you or your guys like it.