1. My Ratchet Rake is strapped to my bucket 50% of the time. I have been using the same two nylon straps for almost five years, though I have replaced one of the ratchet-tightening mechs once, cost $16.00 at TSC. I recently replaced one of the two 25" wire cables that attach to the RR, go under the bucket, then are held by the nylon straps. RR, LLC provided two replacements for $11, nominally the cost of shipping and handling.
Nylon straps stretch a tiny amount, rather than breaking. Straps are a planned fail point. Better a nylon strap break than bucket potentially be pinched. (No reports of pinching that I have read.)
LINK:
https://ratchetrake.com/images/ratchet_rake_fs.pdf
When the nylon straps collect a lot of dust, they are difficult to pull through the ratchet mech. I remove straps from mech about once a year and wash them in a bucket. I blow dust out of the two mechs with compressed air. I am age 70. Up to age 60 I would have used brute force to override dust.
2. Ratchet Rake is of 1/2" steel construction, (5/8" in widest iterations) one thickness throughout the tool. The downward oriented teeth, combined with two articulations from the bucket and combined weight of FEL + bucket + RR is key to tearing out brush and functioning as a light Box Blade facsimile. The second row of teeth, longer and perpendicular to first row, are used together to push dirt and grade. I use RR to prepare a small garden each March in Florida.
When I need to dig/excavate I use a Bucket Spade. My digging involves planting or removing small trees and removing Palmettos. With Piranha your hole has to be at least as wide as your bucket. I have no need for 48" nor 60" nor 72" holes.
Had I the need for a digging toothbar, for a house foundation, or burying farm animals for instance, Piranha would be my first choice.
I operate my
L3560 around 200 engine hours per year.
