Power Rake

[presnewt]

I have been on the forum before asking if anyone has pulled small land plane with a Steiner or Ventrac. I did not get a lot of positive feedback on it so I am now looking at a power rake. I dont know if I can justify the cost of one but it is probably the best solution for my needs. I mainly have a gravel driveway that is very hard packed that needs loosening and grading. I could also use it to level ground on other places on our farm. Can someone that has used these attachments let me know how good they are at handling tightly packed gravel. Also, what else do you use them for? I own a 2015 Steiner 440 with 25 hp diesel. I am assuming the Ventrac power rake works equally well on Ventrac and Steiner models. Thanks again in advance for your help.

 

[JackIL]

I have used both the Ventrac Power Rake and the Steiner Power Rake that is no longer in production. Both work well. In hard gravel you will have to make several passes. That generates a lot of dust so be prepared to wash the tractor and rake and take a shower after the job is done, but you will like the end result. I have also used it to renovate poor turf for reseeding, and it works well for that too. Great tool.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a big old Harley 8 foot PTO rake, the one with the two rollers and "S" Tines. I would love one for the Steiner to get into tight places. I like the Ventrac rake better as it goes both ways. I have been searching for a used one for a year or so without luck.

 

[beemerphile]

That generates a lot of dust so be prepared to wash the tractor and rake and take a shower after the job is done,

I have found that the key to dust and deeper cuts with the Ventrac Power Rake on gravel driveways is to do it after it rains. Not as soon as it quits raining, but while there is still significant moisture in the ground. No dust, and the machine can dig a deeper cut without undue stress. I do one deep cut at 4-6 inches and then a number of leveling passes at about 1 inch (or whatever it takes to eliminate windrows).