Rake Rake Price big surprise

mred · Mar 13, 2008

I thought it would be nice to have a rake for spring cleanup. So I read many of the threads here. I learned I needed wheels on the rake if for no other reason other than my inexperience. Then I decided to call my JD dealer. How much could a rake for my small machine cost ? The dealer said I need a 5 foot rake for a JD 2305, so far so good. He proceeded to say they would have some soon, even better. So then came the price. The current sale price for a five foot rake with wheels is $995.00. For that price maybe I don't need a rake. My feeling is that is 1/2 a snow blower.

Solo · Mar 13, 2008

There are cheaper rakes available, see if anyone in your area carries Lienbach. I bought a 6' rake for $450. The wheels were about half that. I was at Tractor Supply yesterday and the local one here carries the King Kutter XB series with wheels. I didn't look at the price but I'm sure it would be cheaper than the Lienbach.

Solo

seapea · Mar 13, 2008

mred said:
I thought it would be nice to have a rake for spring cleanup. So I read many of the threads here. I learned I needed wheels on the rake if for no other reason other than my inexperience. Then I decided to call my JD dealer. How much could a rake for my small machine cost ? The dealer said I need a 5 foot rake for a JD 2305, so far so good. He proceeded to say they would have some soon, even better. So then came the price. The current sale price for a five foot rake with wheels is $995.00. For that price maybe I don't need a rake. My feeling is that is 1/2 a snow blower.

If you go with a tractor dealer, it's likely they'll be selling you a Woods, Landpride, or Gearmore, all of which are pricey. I just picked up a KK 7' at TSC for $469. 5' rakes are $399. Guage wheeels had to be special ordered for another $195 + $12.50 shipping. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, so I can't really comment on the quality.

Chris

john_bud · Mar 13, 2008

mred said:
My feeling is that is 1/2 a snow blower.

Naw, more like 1/3 of a snow blower....

While the JD rake is no doubt a good one, you may be better off looking for a used one as it seems cost is a factor (and when isn't it?).

Attend a few farm auctions, check the farm papers and craigs list. You can typically find a 5-6' one for 1/4 - 1/2 the price of new.

jb

AndyMA · Mar 13, 2008

john_bud said:
Naw, more like 1/3 of a snow blower....

While the JD rake is no doubt a good one, you may be better off looking for a used one as it seems cost is a factor (and when isn't it?).

Attend a few farm auctions, check the farm papers and craigs list. You can typically find a 5-6' one for 1/4 - 1/2 the price of new.

jb

Prices of rakes vary all over the place. In 1987 I bought my 8 foot Ford rake with wheels for just under $2000. Today it is close to $3000.

There in no comparison to a rake that heavy to a light duty $500 rake. My tines move roots and rocks when with a light weight one the tines would just bend back. The tines are actually supposed to be high enough quality steel so that at higher speeds they vibrate and evenly spread the soil. I'll bet that most of the folks with low cost rakes have never seen that happen.

Andy

Andy

bjr · Mar 13, 2008

get a KK. It'll do what you want. I stay outa the tractor Dealers showroom around here anyways. bjr

dirtworksequip · Mar 13, 2008

I've had a KK rake for about 12 years. It usually gets about 50 to 75 hours use a year. Since new I think I have only replaced about 4 tines that broke. There are probably higher quaility rakes on the market, but for the price I am satisfied with the KK rake. I was going to upgrade to an Landpride 8 footer a couple years ago and sell my 6 foot KK to a neighbor. Once I saw the price of the 8 foot Landpride I decided my 6 foot KK was all I needed.

Sincerely, Dirt

mred · Mar 14, 2008

Thank you all for the great advice. Because of my limited use it seems KK will be the better investment.

jimg · Mar 14, 2008

I see youre in NH and I know from experience ag equipment is very high there. You might consider mail order from a place like Agri-Supply. Dont know theyd have what youre looking for but thats where I went for my tiller and saved $$$$ over locals. It worth a look as that doesnt cost anything.

john_bud · Mar 14, 2008

AndyMA said:
Prices of rakes vary all over the place. In 1987 I bought my 8 foot Ford rake with wheels for just under $2000. Today it is close to $3000.

There in no comparison to a rake that heavy to a light duty $500 rake. My tines move roots and rocks when with a light weight one the tines would just bend back. The tines are actually supposed to be high enough quality steel so that at higher speeds they vibrate and evenly spread the soil. I'll bet that most of the folks with low cost rakes have never seen that happen.

Andy

Yeah, they do make "good" ones and also the ones most of us use...

I'd bet there are few of the folks on this board that would part with that type of cash for a rake.

Then again, I bought a Gannon industrial grade box blade that was $1800 in 2000. You get what you pay for.

By the way, I'm thinking you are gonna win that bet...

jb

canoetrpr · Mar 14, 2008

I found the cost of the wheels to be exhorbatant. The rake was not too bad without the wheels.

Unlike most here, I have taken the wheels off and have never used them since I've taken them off. I'm not expert at the tractor at all but I find that that the wheels get more in the way than anything else as they limit how far close to a fence line I can get for manure cleanup etc.

I also found that for the little bit of grading I did, using the 3PT to adjust the rake was just fine for me without wheels.

Particularly if you are getting the rake for cleanup I think you can skip the wheels. Add them later if you think you need them.

dirtworksequip · Mar 14, 2008

I never quite understood why a lot of people go with gauge wheels on a rake or other implement? What exactly is the advantage and what can you do with wheels that you can't do without wheels? I have never used a rake with wheels so maybe if I did I too would swear by guage wheels. Someone please enlighten me on gauge wheels!

Sincerely, Dirt

ccsial · Mar 14, 2008

dirtworksequip said:
I never quite understood why a lot of people go with gauge wheels on a rake or other implement? What exactly is the advantage and what can you do with wheels that you can't do without wheels? I have never used a rake with wheels so maybe if I did I too would swear by guage wheels. Someone please enlighten me on gauge wheels!

Sincerely, Dirt

I added the gauge wheels after I had my rake a while. I made my own. I found that they keep the rake from digging into my gravel when I go over the hilly areas of my trails. You could ride the 3PH too but the gauge wheels is "set and forget" and then just drive. It made a great improvement for me.

mtg65 · Mar 25, 2008

I bought a used KK 8 foot with wheels - $200.00 works great on my gravel road.

coobie · Mar 25, 2008

mred said:
I thought it would be nice to have a rake for spring cleanup. So I read many of the threads here. I learned I needed wheels on the rake if for no other reason other than my inexperience. Then I decided to call my JD dealer. How much could a rake for my small machine cost ? The dealer said I need a 5 foot rake for a JD 2305, so far so good. He proceeded to say they would have some soon, even better. So then came the price. The current sale price for a five foot rake with wheels is $995.00. For that price maybe I don't need a rake. My feeling is that is 1/2 a snow blower.

I bought a new 7 ft King cutter rake with wheels 2 weeks ago for $540.I know it is not the most heavy duty one on the market but it serves my purpose.coobie

PHIL850 · Mar 29, 2008

Picked up a used York brand 6' for $300 last week off Craigs list. The gage wheels where long gone, but the hardware to bolt them up was still there. Invested in a couple of Wheels and straightened out the adjusters and she is up and running.

Phil C.

frenchie4x4 · Mar 30, 2008

I bought a Leinbach 7 ft rake no gauge wheels for $450 3 yrs ago it looks heavy duty. I pull it with a 50hp tractor and have not had a problem yet. It will pull out roots ,big rocks etc..I have learned to keep the 3pt low and shorten the top link so the front of the rake is lower than the back. If I keep the front of the rake high the tines jest dig in like a plow. I tilt it with the 3pt arms to rake the edges of the driveway so the center of the drivewey is crowned so the water runs off. This works better than my box blade. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you buy. Have fun.
Frenchie

EdC · Mar 30, 2008

I bought a JDLR2072 for 625.00. Went to add gauge wheels and that put the price at $925 with a 60 dollar discount on the wheels. I'll go to Harbor Freight for some big casters next weekend. I think I could build something sturdy for $50.00 or $75.00.