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!

 

[thepawnshop]

couple of questions before we comment further:

* What model, size Landscape rake do you have?

I have the JD Frontier 1048

* Can you selectively irrigate/water the areas you want to seed?

Yes, I do have irrigation installed

 

[Houndsman]

Doug,
sounds like VA Blue's got some regional experience/expertise. I can't comment on your soil or best seed. TBNers have proposed some good decision-making options for consideration. My land has about 1 acre's worth of compacted clay bare zones, where the thin top soil did not lay down. For using a Landpride model Lscape rake (Mine's a 1072):
* I removed every other tine on the rake for better penetration/scratching.
* I used repetitive passes at opposite angles and was able to scratch up 3" worth of loose clay/soil.
* For seed prep: Because I do have slope and some swailing, I scratched
downslope for final furrows. Then I seeded. Then I scratched slow, w/ a lot of 3pt control, across any sloping, to enhance water capture as it moves downslope (regardless of pitch of slope angle). My theory was that Scratching across also enhances my seed-soil contact.
* Subject to your seed and weather--- I watered every day for 4 days at dusk.

My grass/prarie mix seed is coming in. I do know though, that I'll have to plug and ammend in the fall. I thought it more important to get the grass established.
v/r mark

 

[Loogie]

What condition is the lot in now? I'm going through the same thing and after considerable research I decided that my beloved 2305 just wasn't up to the job. It probably COULD do it but wold have required several implements all of which I would have had to purchase. I decided to rent a skidsteer and Harley Rake. The Harley Rake will devour anything in your soil, turn it over, smooth it out, windrow any debris off to the side and leave a perfect seedbed...all in one operation. The time and cost savings are both considerable. I'm getting the whole shooting match for $450/day and it will only take 1 day to do my 3 acres. Something to consider. If you decide to go that route then you should kill eveything first too.

 

[Rara Avis]

Introducing The TR3 Rake: America's Premier Landscape Rake

This is a product that really works!!!

 

[Mayor]

As said rent a tiller and start around 3in then go a little deeper. The next thing I would run a box blade to level everything out. Pick up the larger rocks then reseed the area. Now with that size lot your going to have to put some hey down to keep the grass moist. Water, Water, water. Good luck!!!!

 

[Loogie]

I have a lot of experience now with my boxblade on the 2305. Because there is no position control on our 3PH's you are somewhat limited. If the ground is firm then you can get things pretty level with the box blade, but if you till it and then try to use the box blade the tractor will be climbing and rolling all over the place and that motion will be directly reflected in the path you leave behind with the box blade. Ifyou do decide to till then I'd recommend rolling it a bit before you box blade. That will help.

 

[Mayor]

As Loogie said it does take some time to get the skills to run the BB right. I first back blade with the FEL to level things out then run the BB to finish it off. That works best for me anyway. This is a small project I did this summer. Had to bring in a lot of dirt to make the are level.