New 2305 Owner...Have Landscape Question....

[thepawnshop]

OK, took delivery of my 2305 this week and I purchased the landscape rake with it. I want to prep my yard for seed (it is a new construction) and I thought the rake made good sense, but the soil is so dry and packed, the rake isnt doing much damage.

What do you guys suggest? Should I add weight to the rake to get more bite? Is there an attachment out there that may be great at prepping for seed that will fit on the 2305 without breaking me?

Thanks

 

[BarryinMN]

Landscape rakes are great moving loose soils as you have found out.

Powered attachments like a tiller or harley rake might work. But expensive. Box blade with rippers would be cheaper.

How about a plow & or a disc? Rent an ATV pull behind type.

Once you get topsoil loose return to the landscape rake and finish.

 

[thepawnshop]

Would a Pulverizer work on a 2305 and if so, would it be able to do the job?

 

[JDFANATIC]

You could rent a tiller (48-50").

 

[orlo]

Hi:

I'm looking at a power rake for the same thing but they are pricey. One thing you might try is if the soil is hard but not 'clumpy' you could loosen it up with a box blade and scarifiers , level it, then go over it with the rake to smooth it out and then plant grass. I've done this in a few small spots but mostly my soil doesn't cooperate.

What you could also try (for free) is changing the angle of the rake. Tilt it way in toward the front (So lt's tilting down) and this will cause the tines to dig in more. I did this on my 2305 and it worked fairly well but I had a lot of 'clumps' that I had to keep going over to break up. You need to tilt it enough that it wants to pull itself into the soil.

 

[thepawnshop]

How much was the power rake?

 

[KennK]

What about using a harrow drag - something like this:

http://www.countrymfg.com/cgi-bin/shop.cgi/page=flexible_tine_harrow.htm

 

[BenderKC]

I tried the harrow rake (TSC), box blade and finally the PTO tiller with my 4310 on my new construction 3.5 acre yard nearly 2 years ago. If the soil is compacted the harrow rake will not do the job. I suggest you use the tiller in several directions, then your landscape rake can them prepare a final seed bed.

 

[Houndsman]

Doug:
couple of questions before we comment further:
* What model, size Landscape rake do you have?
* Can you selectively irrigate/water the areas you want to seed?

v/r mark

 

[VABlue]

Doug, I did the same thing in my backyard - make a seedbed in compacted, new construction, VA clay. My suggestion: pay the ~$120 to rent a tiller for a day and be done with it. With the weather we've had your yard is too compacted for anything that isn't powering itself in. Adding water to soften it up will only make a sticky clay mess. Till it to 6"-8" deep, smooth it with the rake, seed, drag, straw, and water it. Done in a day (except if you're strawing by hand...).

Your 2305 will pull a 48" tiller easy enough, but make a couple of passes 3"-4" deep, then again at 6"-8" deep. That will give you a nice, deep, seedbed to work with. If you can, drop about 97 tons of lime on it first!