landscape rake recommendations

[Kenzen]

I've been searching for a landscape rake (aka york rake) for my DA917H. Ideally I'd like to find a used one locally since shipping negates any used price savings. It seems I'm in for at least a $300-$400 expense for a 4 to 5 foot rake. Is there any particular models to seek or avoid? I have no problem fabricating/re-engineering the mounting to fit my DA. Thx! Ken

[Talntedmrgreen]

Is this something similar to what you're looking for? An hour from my house...35 minutes from work. It might take some fabrication to get a hookup for a sleeve hitch, but the 1" lift bar is there. Not sure what it would cost to ship... http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/for/2362095655.html

[Kenzen]

That's exactly what I'm looking for. It looks pretty well built. The shipping is probably pretty expensive (it's probably about 75lbs), and CL listings are usually looking for local pickup. I guess it wouldn't hurt to call and ask if he'd ship it. Thanks for the lead!

[Talntedmrgreen]

When you're looking for something, it's rarely easy to get to! }:) I'm not headed up that way anytime soon, but would be tempted to stop in, next time I'm up that way, and I'll see if he still has it. He sells a LOT of tractor stuff on CL here.

[comet66]

It's a shame fuel costs make it prohibitive to go pick up many items. I've been looking for something like that as well. It would be cheaper to buy the material and build one. But....time is also an issue.

[sammiefish]

if you have a sleeve hitch... this would work http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07124537000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

[Kenzen]

I've been looking at the agri-fab at sears, in fact I "almost" had a refurbished one at a reasonably local sears outlet for $239 - that would have been a good deal compared to the normal price, but it was sold before I could jump on it. My hesitation is I can't figure out how well it is built. I was hoping someone would chime in with the "bang for the buck" recommendation, or some "don't buy X - its junk" warnings. I'm going to want this pretty soon to do some landscaping work before the heat kicks in.

[Michiganmobileman]

quote:

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When you're looking for something, it's rarely easy to get to!

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And when its easy to get to I never have the free money:( that would be a short drive from home for me but the tractor fund is too lowwah Greg

[sammiefish]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kenzen
I've been looking at the agri-fab at sears, in fact I "almost" had a refurbished one at a reasonably local sears outlet for $239 - that would have been a good deal compared to the normal price, but it was sold before I could jump on it. My hesitation is I can't figure out how well it is built. I was hoping someone would chime in with the "bang for the buck" recommendation, or some "don't buy X - its junk" warnings. I'm going to want this pretty soon to do some landscaping work before the heat kicks in.

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were you actually able to see it? the tines are individually replaceable and it wasnt clear from the pic just how thick the steel actually was... it looks like a pretty simple unit if its heavy enough... i went to agrifab and its not on their website... so maybe discontinued...

[Kenzen]

sammiefish, No, I didn't get to see it - they had the same photo as the new one. Your comments about the thickness of the steel and the weight are my main concerns - I don't want a "toy" bouncing around back there. I've found several 5' rakes with 3pt attachments for under $400 on my local CL - they look much heavier, and I can cut/weld the 3pt mount to adapt it to my 917h. 5' is probably a bit wide, but I can always cut it down. Again, I was just fishing for a few recommendations if there were any to be had. thx!

[comet66]

You want it to be wider than your tractor so you can get up close to buildings and landscaping.

[Kenzen]

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Originally posted by comet66
You want it to be wider than your tractor so you can get up close to buildings and landscaping.

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good point - thx!

[MPH]

If you can come up with one with tires out back and a hitch like a wagon they would do a much nicer job of leveling. Not sure how those lift as I've only seen a few pics of them. Might be a pic in the attachments of Simple Tractors. I have a 5 footer I got from Northern Hydr. several years go. Forst had it on ,y B-112, then I scored the 4040 so made a 3pt for the tractor and use it on there. Problem with te mounted style is when the front of the tractor goes up or down the rake goes the oppisite.

[Kenzen]

quote:

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Originally posted by MPH
If you can come up with one with tires out back and a hitch like a wagon they would do a much nicer job of leveling. Not sure how those lift as I've only seen a few pics of them. Might be a pic in the attachments of Simple Tractors. I have a 5 footer I got from Northern Hydr. several years go. Forst had it on ,y B-112, then I scored the 4040 so made a 3pt for the tractor and use it on there. Problem with te mounted style is when the front of the tractor goes up or down the rake goes the oppisite.

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They seem to work like hyper-extended scissors, wheels on one "blade" and hitch on the other, with a lead screw or some clamping gizmo controlling the extension. Then the rake is fixed into the middle. By controlling the extension, the rake height changes. I really need this thing to rake out rocks and roots - I haven't thought too far into the leveling activity....I probably should:D The cable connection to the rear lift of the 917h should just let the rake drag along behind the tractor w/o concern for the tractor going up and down. The downside here is I can't put a little tractor weight onto the rake. (But I am thinking of divorcing the rear lift mechanism from the tractors central hydro lift, and putting a dedicated electric lift to the rear - the independence would be nice. I'll save this for another thread.)