Root rake capabilities

[jasper1]

Hello all:
Brand new owner here, Mahindra eMax22 gear, and was wondering how well an implement like a combination root rake/grapple might work on it. I'm looking to clean up an area that was clear cut a year ago of mostly small 1 to 2 inch diameter birch, hemlocks, and red maples. Mostly overgrown now with black berry brambles and weeds everywhere. Being as it's northern New Hampshire I have more than my share of rocks as well as the stumps too. I know it won't work on the bigger stumps and rocks, just wondering if it's worth gambling the $$ on one if it's not the best tool for the job. I can use the grapple function of it for picking apart the log pile when I do my winters cordwood but that can be done with a set of forks as well for much less money. So my choices are buy the root rake, or buy a set of forks and use the cash I save to rent an excavator to clean up the clearcut. Any and all opinions appreciated.
Thanks Mike G

 

[jeff9366]

Your LOCATION should appear as part of your T-B-N PROFILE.

It would be useful if you told us the area you need to clean up.

No 1,700 pound subcompact tractor will have much lift capacity nor stability after a grapple is installed and loaded with material including considerable soil. Sloping ground will increase instability.

With the limited information you posted, I suggest using the herbicides Crossbow or Rural King's Crossroad (both 2,4-D enhanced products) or Gordon's Brush Killer to kill the blackberries. Two weeks later mow with a Rotary Cutter if available. Herbicides work best when undesirable material is growing fast, so now is not the time in New Hampshire.

For the loose material rake with a Ratchet Rake attached to your bucket or rake just below grade with a spring-protected Field Cultivator mounted on your Three Point Hitch. You would probably want a three (3) tine Field Cultivator from Dirt Dog. With your rocks you will probably break a $6.00 bolt-on "point" occasionally but easy replacement is part of the design.

RATCHET RAKE: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/375397-ratchet-rake-today.html?highlight=
VIDEO: ratchet rake brush clearing - YouTube


DIRT DOG: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/339095-dirt-dog-all-purpose-plow.html?highlight=
VENDER + VIDEO: Dirt Dog Manufacturing >> Disc Harrows Tillage - All Purpose Plow
VIDEO: TRACTOR FIELD CULTIVATOR - YouTube

Neither require you to lift loads. Dirt Dog APP/Field Culitivator transports woods debris quite will, while the Ratchet Rake is mainly for piling debris, then grading.


Do you have SSQA connection between your bucket and the FEL?

 

[jasper1]

Ground I'll be working on is flat, especially when working on the log pile. My well is right in the middle of the area I need to clean up so chemicals of any kind are out. As I said its a small spot off my driveway that had been covered with birches, hemlock trees and red maple. The larger stuff went to firewood and the saplings burned, but now I have to deal with the scrub and underbrush that's taken it's place now that sunlight can get at it. Any kind of mower it pretty much out as well due to larger rocks. If I could pick through it with a root rake enough to get the scrub out I can plant some type of ground cover that's easier to control.

 

[jeff9366]

Flat is good.

What size is SMALL? An acre? Half an acre?

Watch the videos.

Tractors are designed to pull loads from the rear, with weight on the solid rear axle.

FELs are relatively delicate and designed to lift, not primarily to push. Pivoting front axle is not where you want to carry much load or hang up on a rock. Too much potential to roll the tractor or damage the FEL.




For Blackberry removal consider a MIDDLEBUSTER sized for a subcompact tractor. A standard size implement will not lift high enough. You will need to disturb Blackberry soil every two weeks during the growing season to kill it.

Dirt Dog Manufacturing >> Disc Harrows Tillage - Lay Off Plow
VIDEO: middle buster plow - YouTube



Do you have SSQA connection between your bucket and the FEL?

 

[jasper1]

No, no SSQA as bought but it can be retro fitted. I understand about pulling rather than pushing being easier on the machine. The middle buster looks like it might be the better tool for the job anyway considering the rocks and larger stumps I have to work around. The plot is only about a third acre or so, and when the larger trees were there the brush was easy enough to take care of with a chain saw and hand brush cutter but between ice storms and natural selection the birches became a hazard to the power lines into the house. Now its a jungle that must be tamed! 35 years ago when I built the house I had a Case 680 CK loader backhoe.....wish I had kept it.
Thanks for the tips and advice.

 

[/pine]

Hello all:
Brand new owner here, Mahindra eMax22 gear, and was wondering how well an implement like a combination root rake/grapple might work on it. I'm looking to clean up an area that was clear cut a year ago of mostly small 1 to 2 inch diameter birch, hemlocks, and red maples. Mostly overgrown now with black berry brambles and weeds everywhere. Being as it's northern New Hampshire I have more than my share of rocks as well as the stumps too. I know it won't work on the bigger stumps and rocks, just wondering if it's worth gambling the $$ on one if it's not the best tool for the job. I can use the grapple function of it for picking apart the log pile when I do my winters cordwood but that can be done with a set of forks as well for much less money. So my choices are buy the root rake, or buy a set of forks and use the cash I save to rent an excavator to clean up the clearcut. Any and all opinions appreciated.
Thanks Mike G

Have you considered just a thumb grapple and a tooth bar for the loader?

BTW...don't feel compelled to add a location just because some seem to think it's important...in reality it's rarely germane to a query...

Good luck...

 

[daveknowshow]

honestly the root grapples nor any grapple are that great at ripping up small stumps in my honest opinion. they just don't work that great. of course with that said they are very valuable when you have the stuff ripped up and you want to move it. I fixed mine with an additional expanded metal that allows me to not only pick up limbs and things but also leaves. give it a shake and it will sift out the dirt as well. personally I would run a box blade with the rippers down top link shortened a lot and bust up the root system. then use the grapple. the root rake is awesome for pulling backwards to pile it up. I have several videos where I use the root rake grapple. I really like how a single bottom plow will dislodge roots and some small sapling stumps. run it over the area turning it over about 4 inches deep then run the root rake over that and pull those roots right out leaving the dirt behind. of course the big stumps will take some digging but if plowing breaks up the root system they should come out a lot easier. sometimes you can pick up single bottom plows fairly cheap used. I found one that was like brand new. it was an old lienbach brand but was only used once and then sat in a barn. I got it for $300.00 and it was worth every penny. here are some videos of the root rake grapple in action. I'm not a brand fan any grapple is better than no grapple. wicked 55 grapple - YouTube

 

[joecoin]

If it's a small area why not get a commercial grade bush whacker (handheld) with a Beaver blade and clear it.?

How you gonna get a root rake in there if you can't even get a mower in?

 

[millsan1]

I had a BX25 and my most used and important tool was my grapple.

I replaced that tractor with a Mahindra 2538 and the very first thing I bought was a grapple.

I am of the opinion that a grapple is the most useful implement for these machines. I have clear a bunch of land and used the grapples for clean up. They are not overly useful for stumps much bigger than a healthy bush.