Power Rake ??

AltavistaLawn · Jul 16, 2005

Has anyone here used the power rake attachment on a PT?

Just wondering how it performs?

blackwell · Jul 16, 2005

We use a power rake on our 1460 with a laser reciever to cut beds for driveways and sidewalks on grade. Also leveled a 40000 sq ft building pad in about 4 hours, within 1 inch. We have the laser reciever feed a proportional valve to automatically adjust the height of the power rake, thus all the operator has to do is drive. We paid for this tool in one job.
EB

Highridge · Jul 17, 2005

That's pretty cool! I'd like to see that in action!

AltavistaLawn · Jul 17, 2005

( That's pretty cool! I'd like to see that in action! )

Me 2 !!

Sounds over my head though. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

egb6550 · Jul 17, 2005

I'm intrigued how does that work? I don't understand what the laser receiver does. I'm guessing it adjusts the height relative to some setting but I need more details if you don't mind helping the ignorant.

SCOTCHERS · Jul 17, 2005

I've personally used my powerrake and did have it for sale and decided to keep it. I'm a landscape designer and live on 6 acres and use it weekly renovating different parts of my yard as well as renting it out to both by company for grading and some of my buddies who are in the business. It's awesome once you get the hang of it. I highly recommend it. It too acts as a tiller with the depth adjustment screw if need be. Up to 12" . If you need more, scoop out and continue tilling. Stips sod and grades in two passes.

BAGTIC · Jul 18, 2005

Scotchers,

What size PT are you using?

Before I bought my 425 I asked about using the power rake as a dual purpose tiller and was advised against it.

Perhaps it depends on size of tractor or type of soil: loose; sticky clay; rocky, etc.

SCOTCHERS · Jul 18, 2005

I have a PT 425 and it's does a great job. The only thing I've found is due to it's size, when your using it as a tiller, you have to be more patient and not AS aggressive. But all in all, I've had NO problems, Doesn't jam like the tiller

Spiffy · Sep 30, 2005

Which way are you running the rake for leveling?

Mine is set with the top running toward the tractor and the bottom running away from it (i.e. it would be pushing the tractor backward).

Seems like this is right for agressive soil breaking, but don't know why PT has the rubber flap like it should be the other way. It seems to take some serious power when I put some pressure on it; not saying good or bad about that, just pointing it out.

Thanks!

Blackwell's laser sounds way to sweet, but I'm sure the price is way too forbidding for anything I'd have.

Spiffy · Oct 2, 2005

Well, the power rake seems to work pretty slick for loosening surface soil & knocking off the high spots, but more questions (and I'm still trying to figure out why the rubber guard looks like it should turn the other way):

Barring the integrated laser level. How do you control the depth to create a level surface? I'm pretty quick with the joystick, but always seem to recognize the need for adjustment after it's too late.

Also (and here barring the tilt proposed in another thread), how do you control the tilt for a level surface?

I'll be happy to feel like an idiot if I'm overlooking something really simple! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, I'll have to add this to another thread too, but based on a really quick trial, it's not bad as a "mini-sheep's-foot" when the hydraulics are turned off.

blackwell · Oct 2, 2005

Use the front caster wheel kit, set the desired height with spacers on the front and sliding the rear wheels up or down. Set the power rake on the surface on all four wheels, put the arms in float and drive forward with the drum rotating in reverse. The rubber flap prevents the dirt from flipping over the top and back on the tractor. This is one of the best attachments we ever purchased. We tried the Harley Rake but the drum is too small, the PT rake will do three times the work.
The laser control is great for cutting surfaces level or on a controlled slope, but most our work is done without it, to contour surfaces prior to seeding.

MossRoad · Oct 3, 2005

Well, you could use the poor man's laser level.... a string line. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Spiffy · Oct 3, 2005

You got it MR, I'm planning to go poor man with a ball of string for level and 50ft of hose & a tape measure (aka water level) to set the pitch.....irronically she now can't decide if she wants 0 pitch or something like 1" in 10' (is switching building contractors - and hearing different options), so I have a little time to ponder further.

I was hoping for a better way, but I guess it gets the points marked all the same! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Spiffy · Oct 3, 2005

Blackwell,

Thanks so much for the great instructions! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif The previous owner said I'd want to add the front wheels if I used the rake much, guess he was exactly right.

Still envy your laser, but think some getting used to it and I can get great results even with "old-school" level marking.

I think I understand the flap now too. Perhaps, being strapped to the trailer it developed a curvature toward the wheel and just got sucked in [I noticed that before I bought it too]. Bet if I turn it [upside-down] or make a new straight piece it will be perfect for it's intended purpose. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks again, Blackwell!

Spiffy · Oct 3, 2005

This maybe should go in safety or where ever "stupid operator tricks [errors]" go these days so everyone can get a chuckle at my expense, but it's kind of PT specific.

I have the tiller and rake, so my trailer has a rack above the tiller for the rake. I was testing the rake (prior to doing the job I mentioned before) and putting it back on the trailer right before leaving for the job. Put it on the rack started backing away, not even 10 seconds latter THUNK!!!! I hadn't set it perfect, the wind caught it just right vibrating the rack, and of course it wasn't strapped yet.

Nasty dent in trailer: /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Asked wife to back onto trailer while I showed her were to stop (she only ran for 2 minutes previously - big mistake): wife backs into rake: /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Well, finally got it off, BTW I think it weighs 500lb or more; when I chained it to the hoe [granted mostly extended], it lifed the front end off the ground!

Nobody hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Rake barely even traded paint. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Trailer still has dent /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif But think I can fix. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Nobody hurt! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif [had to end on happy note]

tracdoc · Oct 3, 2005

Chad,

Sounds to me not so much like "stupid operator tricks," but more like a report on the learning curve that we call life. Me thinks that we have all been your boat, or one very similar. I've heard that it only becomes 'stupidity' when one does it repeatedly. How many times qualifies as 'repeatedly'?? Hmmm.....I don't know the answer, but let's not be too harsh on ourselves.

AltavistaLawn · Oct 4, 2005

I used a Bobcat brand, after we made the adaptors. Worked great..but had to stay on the hydraulics to control it.

Spiffy · Oct 7, 2005

Great Picture AltavistaLawn! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just further confirms my need for front wheels though. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

And the list of projects to properly configure the machine to tackle the list of projects grows! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Spiffy · Oct 7, 2005

I've heard that it only becomes 'stupidity' when one does it repeatedly. How many times qualifies as 'repeatedly'?? Hmmm.....I don't know the answer, but let's not be too harsh on ourselves. 

Pretty good advice Tracdoc!

Actually, I didn't post it to be hard on myself (though I was for a few minutes after it happend). Just hoped others could chuckle at it, that way some good could come of the bad! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Somebody might learn from my mistake. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Or, it might make their mistakes seems smaller. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif