Power Rake

[Yardscaper]

Do any of you own Power Tracs' version of the power rake. I do own but never really had good luck with it. I bought mine 2 years ago and asked Terry if they had a front wheel configuration for them like the skid steer Harley Rake. He said that they were not needed and that their rake worked fine. They now offer the front wheel option. Anyway, do any of you own one, and if so, are there any techniques that seem to work for you? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[bubenberg]

i have borrowed one from a person who does not like to join us just yet, here on TBN. he has the front wheels and that prevents the power rake from digging in. Terry has been playing for many years with these toys and is really not a good measure. you, that you are in the business of operating various leveling devices, /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif after two hours you won't need the wheels anymore.

the so called Terry technique is about the same as a spring snowplowing of a gravel driveway, ya are fooling around with the joystick all the time. you may have to make too passages over some of the harder ground (not because the power rake can't do the job in one passage), if you let the snowblade take (power rake take over) over you pick up alot of gravel also.

but the wheels make it easier, but they cost $250.00

 

[blackwell]

We use the power rake on new sites as well as old sod without the front casters. We set the depth of cut by adjusting the rear wheels and then with the arms in float, rolling the bucket roll to the desired depth. We then set the bucket level indicator to that position. With the arms in float or on larger machines, draft, and then just slowly drive forward. We did get foam filled tires. By setting the bucket level indicator it is easy to come back to the origional setting and get uniform cutting depth.
I agree that the front casters will also quickly bring you back to the previous setting, we have thought about trying a set, my only concern is the front casters make the unit longer and it would be harder getting close to other objects.
We spend at least two full shifts training each new operator to become efficent with that machine and attachments before allowing them to operate that unit. I think this gets more consestent results and we are sure it more than pays for itself in equipment repairs and increases the life of the equipment.

Let us know think if you get the front caster kit!
EB