Rake Woods Drop Blade for Landscape Rake

[Keuka]

I just looked at Woods landscape rakes and I'm considering either their medium or heavy duty models. The dealer didn't have a rake with a drop blade in stock, so I couldn't inspect the blade for quality and strength. Anybody have a Woods rake with the drop blade? Is the blade well built and worth an extra $190?

 

[Ken45101]

I don't have a Woods, but I have a Landpride, bought used.

The drop blade comes in handy on occassion, but they warn you it is only for light duty, moving loose dirt, not for moving/digging hard ground.

Is it worth $190? I don't know what your uses are going to be. I only paid $300 something for mine and that included the drop blade and wheels.

Ken

 

[HCJtractor]

I am also interested in a landscape rake for a 70 hp Kubota. I was looking at them online, as my local dealers don't stock a heavy duty model. Considering the Landpride LR 35 series or a Woods. I saw the picture of the blade and it did look fairly light duty. I don't feel I would get much use out of that accessory. I am leaning towards a good heavy rake with a tail wheel. Keep us posted on what you find and decide upon. I know the Landpride is about $2000 w/o hydraulics. The Monroe Tufline rear blade is really a well made heavy duty implement. I was quoted about $900 for a 84" model. I would rather save up and buy a dedicated blade rather than the accessory blade for the rake

 

[AndyMA]

I am also interested in a landscape rake for a 70 hp Kubota. I was looking at them online, as my local dealers don't stock a heavy duty model. Considering the Landpride LR 35 series or a Woods. I saw the picture of the blade and it did look fairly light duty. I don't feel I would get much use out of that accessory. I am leaning towards a good heavy rake with a tail wheel. Keep us posted on what you find and decide upon. I know the Landpride is about $2000 w/o hydraulics. The Monroe Tufline rear blade is really a well made heavy duty implement. I was quoted about $900 for a 84" model. I would rather save up and buy a dedicated blade rather than the accessory blade for the rake

84" is too small for a 70hp tractor. I use a 96" heavy duty rake and box blade on my TN75 75hp and Ford 2120 43hp and it works fine. For a 70 hp tractor the rear implements need to be very heavy duty.

Andy

 

[HCJtractor]

Andy, I was considering a wider rake, and I agree, I need a heavy duty one. I was afraid the wider rake may be a problem in tighter spaces, but I guess if you operate it angled (which I assume is the norm) it would not be an issue. What rake do you have? Do you recommend a tail-wheel? Thanks, Harold

 

[AndyMA]

Andy, I was considering a wider rake, and I agree, I need a heavy duty one. I was afraid the wider rake may be a problem in tighter spaces, but I guess if you operate it angled (which I assume is the norm) it would not be an issue. What rake do you have? Do you recommend a tail-wheel? Thanks, Harold

I actually use a Ford rake which I have had for over 20 years. It swivels and offsets. I've been using York type rakes for over 40 years and I very rarely use guide wheels. I just feather the 3pt hitch lever and have done hundreds of lawns, inclucing baseball and soccer fields which need to be very level. 8 feet is not very wide and is actually much easier to use than a narrow rake. As far as brands there is a huge diiference between the light duty rakes like KK, and the premium brands like York, Land Pride, Woods etc. I would get a 8 foo rake that weighs in close to 800 pounds. Most of the light duty rakes have very tiny tines that don't vibrate like the heavy spring steel on the good rakes.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

Andy, I was considering a wider rake, and I agree, I need a heavy duty one. I was afraid the wider rake may be a problem in tighter spaces, but I guess if you operate it angled (which I assume is the norm) it would not be an issue. What rake do you have? Do you recommend a tail-wheel? Thanks, Harold

The wider rake has never been a problem. I just judge from the front wheel offset to rake tip and watch that spacing as I drive. I think a narrpwp rake is much much harder to use.

Andy

 

[HCJ]

Thanks Andy. I agree about the heavy duty version. I'm looking at the Landpride or Woods. Both are really heavy, about 500 lbs., and have the off-set feature. Thanks for your input. Would you advise any hydraulics? I hate to spend quite that much more. Would I regret not having that feature?