Ratchet rake size question

[aerojunkie]

Can a ratchet rake be mounted to one side of the bucket so it extends past the edge 6" or so? I like having attachments that stick past the tractor tires so I can drag as close to things as possible. I have a 66" bucket and I think the 72" would fit but not sure and may have to get the 68". I want something to get rid or the poison ivy and thorns around the edge of the woods in my yard. I wish there was something cheaper that would work the same but haven't had any luck finding it.

 

[jeff9366]

Can a ratchet rake be mounted to one side of the bucket so it extends past the edge 6" or so?

Asymmetrical force on the FEL is not recommended.

Yes it can but I do not recommend it. I recommend the 68" width.

With a RR no wider than the end of your bucket your can tilt your bucket and lay RR teeth right down on top of what you wish to tear out.

RR wider that the bucket will be awkward to maneuver in woods work.

 

[aerojunkie]

Asymmetrical force on the FEL is not recommended.

Yes it can but I do not recommend it. I recommend the 68" width.

With a RR no wider than the end of your bucket your can tilt your bucket and lay RR teeth right down on top of what you wish to tear out.

RR wider that the bucket will be awkward to maneuver in woods work.

Thanks for the info Jeff. That makes sense on the size, 68" width it is. I looked at some of your pics on other ratchet rake threads and the piles you made of clean brush and vines is one the things that makes me want one.

 

[jeff9366]

RR is a really good tool.

I often have it on my bucket while i have a rotary cutter, field cultivator, box blade or landscape rake on the Three Point Hitch.

You can purchase a RR from the T-B-N STORE, button at top of this page. Save yourself sales tax.

 

[Steave]

This is a 72" RR I have on a 66" grapple bucket. It's held up great with heavy use. You can see where the chains are right at the end of the bucket but works fine. The straps some use should work ok too. As far as it hanging out past the bucket I don't see how that's much different than having a wider bucket. I have a 84" tooth bucket that hooks up the same place as the 66" grapple bucket.

 

[schoolsout]

This is a 72" RR I have on a 66" grapple bucket. It's held up great with heavy use. You can see where the chains are right at the end of the bucket but works fine. The straps some use should work ok too. As far as it hanging out past the bucket I don't see how that's much different than having a wider bucket. I have a 84" tooth bucket that hooks up the same place as the 66" grapple bucket.

View attachment 514038

Yea, I have a longer RR on our 4n1 and it has worked pretty well. One of the ratchet points has to go on outside of bucket, but hasn't been an issue for us. Didn't buy it that way on purpose...only when Tractor Supply had this length for $99

 

[aerojunkie]

Well I havent ordered one yet. With the 90+ degree days my tractor hasnt moved anyways, I get enough of the heat when Im at work during the week. I was looking at the 72" version and noticed its made of 5/8" steel instead of the standard 1/2" steel so it should last a good bit longer and has 4 mounting hooks instead of 3. Its only another $30 but if it really is just overkill then and will make it more awkward to use then I'll go with the 68" like what has been suggested. I know loaders on tractors just arent as heavy made as skid steer loaders so I dont want to warp something just to go bigger for the sake of going bigger.

 

[teg]

I have a 72" on a 63"-ish bucket. I like how it sticks out one side. The attachment point is really close to the outside edge of the bucket. No problem, I connect the bottom link of the outside attachment point and use the next top link attachment point to snug it up.

 

[Steave]

I have the 5/8" thick one it has four tie down places but I only use 2. I think that's all that's needed. At least with the 5/8" thick steel you'll just have more steel to wear down and not that much more weight. It will be sturdier and your bucket probably won't be loaded to capacity when using the RR and a few more inches won't matter much. In other words I don't see any reason not to get the 5/8" thick one. Only reason I could think of would be if it was too wide to fit through some of the places you're working or parking. If you happen to buy a larger tractor in the future you'll be glad you got the large one.

I bought the forestry unit I think is what they called it at the time. It came with 2 ratchet binders. The ratchet binders with chains are recommended if your bucket is built heavy and sturdy with reinforcement on the top edge. If your bucket is a standard type that comes with most tractors its possible to bend the top of the bucket with a chain wrapped around it and using a ratchet binder. You can get the strap binder with cable attachments instead of the ratchet binders which might suit your bucket and you'll have no problem with that.

If you decide to go with the 1/2" thick you'll never wear it out anyway and it works the same. After you get it, use it like they suggest and it works great. When pushing forward into briars or brush kinda level your bucket with only the bottom teeth touching the ground then when backing out roll your bucket forward until both sets of teeth are touching the ground at the same time then pull the brush out. When pushing to make a pile just level the bucket back out and let the bottom teeth be close to the ground so it'll gather all the brush you've already pulled from the ground.

Mine is used a lot and it's one of the most useful tools I have. Can't dig with it though. Either one you get you'll see you got your money's worth quickly. Decisions ... Decisions :confused2:

 

[aerojunkie]

I have the 5/8" thick one it has four tie down places but I only use 2. I think that's all that's needed. At least with the 5/8" thick steel you'll just have more steel to wear down and not that much more weight. It will be sturdier and your bucket probably won't be loaded to capacity when using the RR and a few more inches won't matter much. In other words I don't see any reason not to get the 5/8" thick one. Only reason I could think of would be if it was too wide to fit through some of the places you're working or parking. If you happen to buy a larger tractor in the future you'll be glad you got the large one.

I bought the forestry unit I think is what they called it at the time. It came with 2 ratchet binders. The ratchet binders with chains are recommended if your bucket is built heavy and sturdy with reinforcement on the top edge. If your bucket is a standard type that comes with most tractors its possible to bend the top of the bucket with a chain wrapped around it and using a ratchet binder. You can get the strap binder with cable attachments instead of the ratchet binders which might suit your bucket and you'll have no problem with that.

If you decide to go with the 1/2" thick you'll never wear it out anyway and it works the same. After you get it, use it like they suggest and it works great. When pushing forward into briars or brush kinda level your bucket with only the bottom teeth touching the ground then when backing out roll your bucket forward until both sets of teeth are touching the ground at the same time then pull the brush out. When pushing to make a pile just level the bucket back out and let the bottom teeth be close to the ground so it'll gather all the brush you've already pulled from the ground.

Mine is used a lot and it's one of the most useful tools I have. Can't dig with it though. Either one you get you'll see you got your money's worth quickly. Decisions ... Decisions :confused2:

Thanks Steave. I guess there really is no way to regret buying either one....other than wishing I had done it sooner. After looking around my property once I get done with some brush clearing the big use is I also have some fresh graded ground to get smoothed and ready for seeding along with fixing some other areas in my yard that are starting to look bare. I read all that is right up this things alley. Looked at a landscape rake but was afraid of bending one up doing what Im after. I like the forestry setup for attaching but the bucket I have is good but not a heavy duty one, its only a 38hp tractor.