Counter Weight bar Welded to Rake

[tsafa]

I find that I lot of times I am doing FEL work and Rake work within a close time frame. The issue that I had it that it was taking too long to remove my normal counter weight and fit the rake... then go back and forth.

I came up with a solution where I welded a shaft to the rake and now I can easily add and subtract my counter weight while working on a job. The solution came in very handy because sometime I want the rake to bite in a little deeper into the soil, so all I have to do is just add a little weight.

 

[gpreuss]

Great idea, but the weight is awfully high if you have hilly land. On the level, it looks GREAT!!!

 

[GWD]

Wow, that is some counterweight! The concentrated weight is a bit high for hilly country as already mentioned.

Just be careful about using the rake with that much downpressure. I can imagine those tines going "PING" and flying all directions. It would end up looking like a person's teeth from the hill country.

A plus is that the weight is somewhat centered over the 3PH hook-up so most of the weight is borne by the lift arms.

 

[D2Cat]

If you're using the rake as a rake you should be able to adjust the top link to roll the bottom of the tines to get the job done without additional weights.

 

[cerlawson]

Nice thought. However, if it were me, I'd set that post as far back as possible, maybe on the rake. Then, to do the same work, you probably would need less than half the weight there. Think of moment arms from the tractor lower arm hinge. The farther out, the more load on the tines. for the same weight. Just my engineer thoughts coming out.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I think I understand exactly what you are going for, weight on the rake was not you motivation, ballast weight for the FEL is your prime goal right?

It works, but I too would move the weight down like to the sides of the rake to keep the weight low and keep your stability up, That is the goal of the extra weight right!

 

[cerlawson]

Regardless of your need, counter weight for the FEL or better rake depth, the farther back it is,the better for both these functions. Again, it is a lever arm thing. The longer the lever,the more "torque" to the tractor, putting weight on the rear end.

 

[Bluegill]

Great idea, but like said, move the weight farther back and lower.

 

[HighSierra79]

I ran some heavy channel iron across the top of my KK rake. Was able to secure with bolts by mounting to framework, directly on channel above tines. Added approx 50-75lbs, guessing. Looks good though.