Need 'Break-Away Kickstand' ideas for landscape rake

[Luke'sScreenName]

A simple idea is cut your pipe down so it reaches an inch or so out the top of the larger pipe on your frame. Weld a washer or collar onto the pipe about 3-4" down to hold the weight while it's sitting on the kickstand. Don't use a pin, so then when you pick the rake up next time the pipe falls out without getting bent (this is assuming you don't forget to raise it up before driving away!). If you worry about losing it, add a piece of chain between the pipe and your frame long enough that you can flip the pipe upside down and drop it into the holder from the top.

The annoying part would be getting the kickstand back in as you're disconnecting the rake. For that I'd drill a 3/8" or larger hole right at the top of the kickstand, then use a short 1/4" bolt welded to some chain so that with the rake raised on the 3 point, insert the kickstand from below, put the small bolt in the hole to hold it in there, then when you drop the rake onto the ground, the pipe slides up 1/2" or so and the bolt falls back out so you are safe from forgetting to remove it the next time you use the rake. Having said all that, not sure it's any simpler than your idea!

A quick sketchup:

View attachment 519584

You had me until how the 1/4" bolt would automatically fall out when the rake is raised. Otherwise, I like the idea.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Could you fabricate a slip-clutch mount for the kickstand? Weld in some round stock in place of a drive shaft, welded to the kickstand. If the kickstand is down and hits something with force, the clutch slips.

Maybe? I'd need to be able to move it by hand too... Interesting idea though.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I'm guessing we're far beyond the simplicity of just parking it in the same place and set it on a couple cinder blocks. No stand to forget - hook up, lift up, drive off.

Otherwise I would weld tabs to the rake & mounting tube then bolt them together with cheap bolts (so the tube is bolted to the rake instead of welded) then if you forget to take the stand out of the tube the bolts just break and you put in new ones - kind of like a shear pin setup.

Unfortunately yes, beyond the simplicity. I put it down all over the place.

A really weak shear pin might be the best idea yet. Maybe out of wood dowl even... Hmmmm.

 

[texasranger556]

This is an illustration of the motorcycle kickstand idea (best I can do on my phone). The kickstand is hinged at the top. A spring holds it forward against the stop, then when you drive forward the kickstand moves back and then the spring pulls it up out of the way. Just like on a motorcycle.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

This is an illustration of the motorcycle kickstand idea (best I can do on my phone). The kickstand is hinged at the top. A spring holds it forward against the stop, then when you drive forward the kickstand moves back and then the spring pulls it up out of the way. Just like on a motorcycle.

Ok, now I finally understand and that is a great idea! A lot less finicky to deal with a spring tension than compression. I think that might be a winner.

I will probably make the forward stop a "shear pin." Just in case I forget to raise it and the first raking action I make is in reverse. The shear pin would sacrifice.

:drink:

 

[jenkinsph]

Luke,
Have you considered a stand that simply pivots down on a pin joint? I have one on a cheap grader blade for my garden tractor. I only use it a few times a year and it stays in place without falling down.

 

[4570Man]

You had me until how the 1/4" bolt would automatically fall out when the rake is raised. Otherwise, I like the idea.

The bolt is only there to set the rake on the ground right before you disconnect it. You'd take the bolt out after that. It would be pretty hard to assemble this system by yourself without something to hold the leg in temporarily.

 

[sixdogs]

A simple idea is cut your pipe down so it reaches an inch or so out the top of the larger pipe on your frame. Weld a washer or collar onto the pipe about 3-4" down to hold the weight while it's sitting on the kickstand. Don't use a pin, so then when you pick the rake up next time the pipe falls out without getting bent (this is assuming you don't forget to raise it up before driving away!). If you worry about losing it, add a piece of chain between the pipe and your frame long enough that you can flip the pipe upside down and drop it into the holder from the top.

The annoying part would be getting the kickstand back in as you're disconnecting the rake. For that I'd drill a 3/8" or larger hole right at the top of the kickstand, then use a short 1/4" bolt welded to some chain so that with the rake raised on the 3 point, insert the kickstand from below, put the small bolt in the hole to hold it in there, then when you drop the rake onto the ground, the pipe slides up 1/2" or so and the bolt falls back out so you are safe from forgetting to remove it the next time you use the rake. Having said all that, not sure it's any simpler than your idea!

A quick sketchup:

View attachment 519584

This makes the most sense and it sort-of is what I have done. I made my own stand and just don't put the bolt in the retention hole and when I pick the rake up, the pipe drops out.

The problem for me, or most of us is that the design of any rake makes the stand more susceptible to digging in when picked up with a bucket loader or even hitched to a tractor. It digs into the ground and bends it. I have seen rakes with stands that don't bend--or are far less likely to bend--and those are made of very thick and bigger diameter tubing. You can still bend them but it's more difficult. The stands on Brillion things come to mind.

The easiest answer is to remember to pick the stand up.

 

[Halftrack]

This is a travel trailer leveling jack I picked up at a supply house. Effective length is 16" to 23". It is notched in both the up and down position, but by grinding the down notch away (yellow tape), it would swing when moved. The top end of the long spring would have to be moved slightly to assist in the auto-fold mode when drug along the ground. This was marked $14 but I think I got for less.

 

[Big Barn]

Interesting thread with a LOT of innovative ideas. All our equipment on the farm had 'conventional' stands, be it OEM or home made.

I don't recall ever bending one from forgetting to manually retract after mounting but I most likely have. It would have either been when I was little (and my dad would have kicked my *****) OR in later years when having to REPAIR the mistake would have cured me of my carelessness.


Terry