Back blade / landscape rake advice

[GrumpyFarmer]

Team,

looking for some advice from first hand product knowledge.

I am beginning a search to add a landscape rake. Main use will be seedbed preparation, rake pasture grass, maybe leaves (not sure that will work), driveway grooming, storm debris clean up

Before we get to that, I have a RBT3596 (landpride back blade) which happens to have two functions of hydraulics (not sure that is relevant) and I am wondering if anyone has swapped out a rake for the blade on the frame of the implement? Of it is possible to do simply? To me it looks like one bolt holding the blade and on, but I really don’t know. When I look for the similar landscape rake on LP site I don’t find much as it appears to be discontinued.

0. so first question has anyone done this? I’d like the function of a rake without buying the whole implement, but not sure it possible or as simple as I think it should be. Please advise.

Then my next topic if option above not possible or reasonable, then I wonder if I buy a new rake implement:

1. Is a rake more useful on a B or an MX, or really no difference just preference of machine? Why? I’ve not used and I wonder would it get more action on a B or MX?

2. In my mind I think I want on the MX and use the hydraulics which the MX has rear remotes. When you use the rake are you routinely changing the offset and / or angle and would the hydraulics be helpful in using the rake? (I am imagining I would be adjusting based on what I see behind me, but I never used one?)

2. Gauge wheels to me seem like a no brainer? Any reason not to get them? (I understand they are not cheap, but seem like functional/helpful.

3. Width. Should a rake be sized like a blade? (I assume minimum is cover the tracks, but I think I would want to that if angled as well, correct?)

Thank you in advance.

 

[Spam Bot]

I have a LandPride landscape rake with a grader blade built into the landscape rake. It drops down when you need the grader blade option. You are correct; you could swap a landscape rake with your grader blade, but where would you find only the rake part? I have the manual rake, and when I find the time to add the rear hydraulics to my tractor, I will convert it to a power angle rake.
If you want to take your field preparation seriously and get them ready for seeding, consider investing in a LandPride Power Rake. I believe they are priced just North of $10,000! If it weren't for the price, I would already have one. Last fall I saw a 60-inch in like-new condition for $7,000 on Facebook Marketplace, and I gave it a thought for a minute or two.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

i believe I can buy most any part of an assembly/implement I need thru my dealer…so I believe I can order the rake or the rake assembly. (The parts manual online has parts diagram…you can even order the frames painted or unpainted or pick your color…I did that with an implement I built)

 

[Old Machinist]

I wouldn't consider a landscape rake for grass or leaves. It will scalp every time you go over a bump, divot, or hole. For leaves it's hard to beat a sweeper. I've had mixed results with gauge wheels and no longer use mine but they have a purpose in certain situations. If your land is perfectly smooth you may be able to control depth better with them but I can't get mine to remain smooth for 2 months after getting it that way.

For seed bed preparation a tiller would be my choice.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I too thought that "gauge wheels" would be a "no brainer", however if memory serves me, it was about a 50/50 split when people responded to the last thread where I remember reading about them.

They are "stupid expensive" as well. I don't normally "bitch" about the price of things, (except for fast food lately) but for what those wheels are, I would be "rolling my own" for that kind of dough.

My opinion, in regard to the width, would be to get one that would cover your tracks when angled.

I can' think of a scenario where it would be more advantageous to have a "skinnier" one that would not cover your track when angled.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I wouldn't consider a landscape rake for grass or leaves. It will scalp every time you go over a bump, divot, or hole. For leaves it's hard to beat a sweeper. I've had mixed results with gauge wheels and no longer use mine but they have a purpose in certain situations. If your land is perfectly smooth you may be able to control depth better with them but I can't get mine to remain smooth for 2 months after getting it that way.

For seed bed preparation a tiller would be my choice.

Good day.

thank you for input.

I think when I say rake grass, I mean pasture area I cut with a brush hog 6-10” high after I cut it. I think I should be able to set slightly off ground but also if I tear grass out in pasture I am not too worried. It’s more that I want to gather then compost.

for seed bed preparation my thought is after seed spread to drag/scratch and get some dirt over the seed.

thanks for thoughts.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I too thought that "gauge wheels" would be a "no brainer", however if memory serves me, it was about a 50/50 split when people responded to the last thread where I remember reading about them.

They are "stupid expensive" as well. I don't normally "bitch" about the price of things, (except for fast food lately) but for what those wheels are, I would be "rolling my own" for that kind of dough.

My opinion, in regard to the width, would be to get one that would cover your tracks when angled.

I can' think of a scenario where it would be more advantageous to have a "skinnier" one that would not cover your track when angled.

I asked my dealer for some pricing on different options and also asked if I can just swap out the blade for a rake (still waiting for confirmation on this point)…but as far as the wheels I don’t think you used the right emoji…but I do think I would like the functionality.