Ratchet Rake

[Tachdriver]

Is now in the TSC stores. I picked mine up yesterday for a BX-25 - get the 52" model - $299.:thumbsup:

Excellent construction.


Later

 

[CORamos]

Is now in the TSC stores. I picked mine up yesterday for a BX-25 - get the 52" model - $299.:thumbsup:

Excellent construction.


Later

Called my local TSC this afternoon, they have them in stock. I plan on picking one up tomorrow. Hopefully will have some action shots this weekend.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've owned a RatchetRake for a couple or more years. Actually have had two, one for my B3200 then when I traded the B3200 sold the bigger one and bought the smaller one for the BX2660 and then moved it to the BX25. The RR Company actually sent me the buyer for my bigger one. Great people to work with and sorry they went the TSC way instead of direct for the customers benefit but I understand their reason for doing it.
It's my favorite add on implement/attachment (not counting FEL and BH). It's the easiest to attach and remove by myself attachment/implement and my most used implement/attachment. I keep it on my tractor all the time and only remove (one to two minute job) it when I'm using the FEL for scooping "stuff".
It is fantastic for clearing out scrubby brush, briars, small trees, etc which I've done a few times but I mostly use mine for leveling dirt piles into flat grass seeding ready yard. Back drag and it levels and filters out rocks, roots and crap. Throw seed on and straw and water. Scratch up a bare or thin area going back and forth a few times and it's ready to seed.

 

[CORamos]

Just picked mine up. Definitely well built, even the salesperson at TSC was surprised at how heavy it was.

Now if it would only stop raining, I might be able to actually try it out.

 

[keyman1808]

CORamos, Did you get it at the TSC in Taunton, MA??

 

[CORamos]

CORamos, Did you get it at the TSC in Taunton, MA??

I picked it up in Putnam, CT, about 15 minutes from where I live. They knew exactly what I was asking for, and had one of each size.

 

[missingstexas]

I've emailed Ratchet Rake directly, and been to two different TSC stores and no luck yet. The store folks have no idea what I'm talking about and Barbara said they should be in stores soon... I even got the catalog information from Ratchet Rake's website an showed the SKU# to the TSC clerks and they still had no clue on how to order me one. Guess I'll wait a few more months and see what happens.

 

[Tachdriver]

Patience "Missing" - I did the same thing with our local TSC, just tell them it's Yellow and has lots of teeth :thumbsup:

I asked specifically for a ratchet rake on Sunday and they did not have a clue what I was talking about. Then I described it and WOW they had three !


LAter

 

[KU Gator]

I went to the TSC near where I work in Lawrence KS and they had not received them and did not know what I was talking about. But he looked it up by name in their computer and said the warehouse showed they had them and would inquire. I later called the TSC in South Topeka and they had one of each size in stock. So I went there after work and picked up a 52" one. They had them in the store, not outside with the implements. I hope to try it this weekend on our other property. We have a lot of sumac brush that I would love to clear out.

 

[Bill Hoffman]

Got mine at the TSC in North Windham, CT. They didn't know what it
was called, but when I said angle iron and lots of teeth, yes we have
three in the outside lot.

Worked it yesterday and am quite impressed. I'll probably find a new
use every time I hook it up.:thumbsup:

Bill

 

[ssmith general]

Anyone that has this and a tooth bar, can you tell me is it different enough to have both? Tooth bar grabs brush pretty good, but that thing has a lot more teeth. THanks.

 

[thavil]

Anyone that has this and a tooth bar, can you tell me is it different enough to have both? Tooth bar grabs brush pretty good, but that thing has a lot more teeth. THanks.

I have both and use them in different ways. Yes, a tooth bar will grab brush well but it won't rip all the undergrowth at the same time like a ratchet rake will. The ratchet rake is used in both forward and reverse movement. Forward, you have your FEL level to the ground and the smaller teeth are ripping the ground while the larger teeth is ripping up the brush. After you make the forward pass, you lift your FEL over the crap you just ripped up and angle your FEL downwards with both sets of teeth touching the ground. While back dragging you move the stuff you just loosened up and rip what may have been missed in the forward pass.

 

[ssmith general]

I have both and use them in different ways. Yes, a tooth bar will grab brush well but it won't rip all the undergrowth at the same time like a ratchet rake will. The ratchet rake is used in both forward and reverse movement. Forward, you have your FEL level to the ground and the smaller teeth are ripping the ground while the larger teeth is ripping up the brush. After you make the forward pass, you lift your FEL over the crap you just ripped up and angle your FEL downwards with both sets of teeth touching the ground. While back dragging you move the stuff you just loosened up and rip what may have been missed in the forward pass.

Thanks, yeah I was picturing something like that, do they make one that bolts on?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks, yeah I was picturing something like that, do they make one that bolts on?

They do not make the RR to bolt on. I can't think of a reason to want to bolt it on with the way it's made. It clips over the edge of the bucket lip and then ratchet handle tightens it down/on. Takes a minute or two with no tools and by yourself. Easiest implement I have to put on and take off alone.
I had a toothbar before RR, sold it and a few years later bought the RR. Different purposes and toothbar did nothing for me but love the RR.

 

[ssmith general]

They do not make the RR to bolt on. I can't think of a reason to want to bolt it on with the way it's made. It clips over the edge of the bucket lip and then ratchet handle tightens it down/on. Takes a minute or two with no tools and by yourself. Easiest implement I have to put on and take off alone.
I had a toothbar before RR, sold it and a few years later bought the RR. Different purposes and toothbar did nothing for me but love the RR.

Right, but bolting on only takes about 10 minutes and I am pretty sure I would destroy the ratchets.

 

[NativeSon]

I have a lot of Big Pine trees around the house. How would it do raking up pine needles? They are a real pain. The Ratchet Rake might do a quick job of them.

Charlie

 

[ssmith general]

I have a lot of Big Pine trees around the house. How would it do raking up pine needles? They are a real pain. The Ratchet Rake might do a quick job of them.

Charlie

I would guess that it would work really well, but I can also tell you that a box blade set right will rake those up perfectly as well

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Right, but bolting on only takes about 10 minutes and I am pretty sure I would destroy the ratchets.

I've been using mine for a few years and the ratchets are pretty solid. I don't like them because I guess I haven't fully figured them out. May spray them with lubricant to see if it makes them a bit easier to use. When I do tear them up, the way I'm going now I'll be dead first because they show no wear, I'll get the reversable chain type ratchets truckers use to tighten down their loads when they die which I don't see happening.
The RR has a metal cable running under them and around the back of the bucket to where the straps and ratchet attach. I know people that use equioment commercially put more wear on implements and equipment but I believe you'd be surprised how durable the RR and it's hook up is. The way they attach doesn't put much pressure on the ratchet. Most of the pressure is distributed across the bottom of the bucket.
I'm sure a bracket could be made to bolt/weld to bucket and to RR if one wants that but I believe you'll see that the bolt on isn't necessary after you use them.
They used to have straps all around them, then the company added sleeves to cover the strap on the bottom and then they went to the metal cable on the bottom with the strap just across the top where it doesn't have any ground contact. I've been through all three stages of the development because I've bought two different ones from then. Bought a bigger one for a bigger tractor a few years ago and then the smaller one for my previous BX2660 which I now use on my BX25.
I believe you would get lots of benefit out of it for your business and a business man always needs a write off, so give the money to us with your taxes or keep it yourself for a tool that will make your jobs easier.:thumbsup:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I would guess that it would work really well, but I can also tell you that a box blade set right will rake those up perfectly as well

As with the toothbar vs RR. They will do different jobs or do the jobs differently.
The RR is up front and the bucket can reach places that a following BB can't. The BB may pick the needles up and the RR will not. I can see pulling needles back to a pile then if one has a BB then maybe coming along and letting the BB pick them up. If one doesn't have a BB then the RR can pull the needles to a pile then it's get off the tractor time and hand load the needles into the front bucket or back drag the needles to their final resting site.

 

[955Lincoln]

If one were to hit a big rock or stump while back dragging would it pull the bar off of the bucket?