Landscape Rake for leveling dirt

[Keeth1123]

Recently purchased 5 acres which is only dirt and some grass at this point. I want to take the time to get as flat as possible to prep for a flat yard for mowing in the future. It has been disked several times and although it is much better it is not where I want it. I was thinking of getting a three point rake so I could spend time pulling it over the areas I’m not satisfied with. Anyone have luck doing this?

Also, the sand is still very soft even after a many different rain storms. I thought for sure it would have packed it down, but it didn’t seem to change it at all. Anything I could do for this issue?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Landscape rake is worthless for leveling.

Get a land plane, you'll have a yard so level that you'll be able to mow it at any speed you want.

And for the sand and such a lawn roller and a lot of water!

 

[Keeth1123]

Dang that’s what I need but they all seem to be made of gold lol. Guess I could try this with my box blade. Last time I used the box blade I wound up having little ruts from the tractor level changing.

 

[GRTkub]

For what it's worth - I have used a Woods landscape rake (with gauge wheels) to maintain my camp driveway and gravel road for 9 years on my BX25. Now I use it on my B2650. I didn't have any other 3 point attachments except a box blade and couldn't afford the extra $ for a land plane. My driveway into camp is 1/4 mile long and is mostly packed sand with a bit of grass here and there. I started out trying the box blade and I just couldn't get the hang of it. I tried the rake and found that I could do a nice job as long as the gauge wheels were set right. The added bonus is that the rake would pull up loose rocks, clumps of vegetation or branches and I could get rid of them.

The biggest drawback with the rake (for me) is that the ground needs to be a bit soft. Late spring or after a rain are when it works best. It will not dig into hard ground.

So if you can get your hands on a rake with gauge wheels it might be worth a try. In the end the rake has a lot of other uses too.

 

[Redlands]

The gauge wheels are a HUGE help.

2 vote for the land plane if it possible.

 

[RCW]

Dang that***8217;s what I need but they all seem to be made of gold lol. Guess I could try this with my box blade. Last time I used the box blade I wound up having little ruts from the tractor level changing.

Keeth - -

Since you have a BB, try making your top link longer, to the point that the front blade is 1/4" or so above the ground level (i.e., the box is tilted backwards).

It will be easier for smoothing that way. If you want it more aggressive for digging, shorten the top link. Making the ruts like you describe can be caused by having the top link too short for smoothing stuff out.

There is a knack to it, but with experience it will do fine.

The guys with land planes really like them, but since you have the BB, use it.

 

[Creature Meadow]

If the area has been run over with a disk, rototiller, plow, etc. and is broken up well or even if you have some sand or dirt that can be moved around I use an old box spring.

I look for them on the side of the roads either in ditches left for pickup or on back country roads where people toss them out.....I take them home and burn the covers off them and presto I have a drag. Tie chain to the corners and singles hook to my 4-wheeler. Dirt flows through them well and once in a while I'll stop and get the roots or limbs out that get caught up.

Works well in the garden as well smoothing out before planting small seeds.

You are not going to move much dirt with it but it does a fine job for smoothing out minor bumps. You can had some weight to them as well, couple small diameter trees laid across them and some big tie wraps to secure.

Just a thought and they are real cheap!

 

[bcp]

Don't buy a rake and put gauge wheels on it.

Buy a box blade and put gauge wheels on it.

Bruce

 

[Eic]

For what it's worth - I have used a Woods landscape rake (with gauge wheels) to maintain my camp driveway and gravel road for 9 years on my BX25. Now I use it on my B2650.

I am a new B2601 owner and was considering a landscape rake. What size would you recommend? I see the sizes range from 5 feet on up.

Thanks.

 

[Tire Biter]

I am a new B2601 owner and was considering a landscape rake. What size would you recommend? I see the sizes range from 5 feet on up.

Thanks.

I use a six footer on mine. That way when I angle it, it is still wider than the tire track.

 

[Eic]

Reasonable thought. Thanks for the suggestion.