[Pelican]

I'm in the market for a power rake for my skid steer and would like to here opinions on them. I've used a Harley Rake and a Preparator, I think I like the Harley better. I thought the preparator would be more efficient by kicking the picked rocks into the bucket, but I feel too much topsoil is lost along with the stones.

Anyone use any other brands I should look at?

[Paul]

We use a Landpride unit on our tractors, model 1572, and a Preperator on our skid steers.

What I've found over the years on larger jobs a tractor with a Harley type rake is much faster, windrowing rocks to one side. But smaller jobs a Preperator is just faster. On larger jobs we might bring out both after the rake windrows the rocks and junk off to the side the skid steer with preperator picks it all up.

[Stonehenge]

Unfortunately I can only talk about my experiences with the Harley...I know it took a little while before I was proficient in it's use, but I'm pretty happy with the results. My learning included blowing a couple hydro lines because I was trying to go too deep into our hard clay soil.

But I very much like being able to work in both directions initially, resorting to only pulling (backwards) at the very end to leave no tracks.

But I can see where the Preparator might be nice for small projects like residentials. It looks like you might be better able to get into tight spaces with that.

I know this wasn't a ton of help - just trying to offer what I know...



Jeff

[Lawngodfather]

Harly rake, nothing comes close.

[warby]

I too am in the same boat. I demo'd a Harley today on a large kerbside area that was very very compacted. I had initially used a tractor & rotary hoe to break up the ground, until the hoe decided to throw a chain. I then hired a hoe for my (New Holland LS170) bobcat. This proved to be a real shakey experience for the next 4 hours, with real slow results. Not to mention the wear on my pins. I then arranged a demo of the Harley. "Wow" It really blew me away. After a couple of minutes we were connected, followed by some instructions I was away. In the demo time (3hrs) I completed the whole job which we had allowed another day.

Normally after breaking up the ground by rotary hoeing, I usually smudge the area with the bobcat, and perhaps add extra top soil. The result is usually always another compacted surface although level by the time the bobcat has finished. I found with the Harley it was a once over pass leaving the ground fluffy and level, ready for seed.

ARE THESE MACHINES THAT GOOD?? CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF THERE ARE ANY DOWNSIDES. WILL THEY WINDROW BROKEN BRICKS/RUBBLE FROM A BUILDING SITE.

THANKS,
TOM.

[lx665]

I have been using a Harley Rake on my skid steer for almost five years. I have had excellent results. Most of the areas I work in are open and I make outstanding time with the Harley Rake. I work by myself and there is little if any hand raking. In tight areas the Rock Hound would be better.

John

[Stonehenge]

Warby, I can tell you live across the pond from me - lots of lingo I need to learn.

As for the Harley - once you get to solid debris (stones, block) that's larger than about 6", you may start bouncing over some of it. But this is our 6th season using ours, and it still works like a charm. A couple things I learned - don't run your skid steer with a full tank of hydraulic fluid - that added pressure when the drum binds up can cause a hose to blow. With that, always keep an extra hose with you (we keep one strapped to the rake itself), in case one does blow.

It's a great machine.

[Pelican]

I guess I should have done an update. I ended up buying the Harley Rake, a 6' model for my skid steer. After a little practice, I can grade just about any rough surface in no time, with 1 laborer to tidy up behind me. A couple weeks ago I did a job that was 20,000 square feet of extremely rough and overgrown land and turned it in to seeded lawn in 2 days time, smooth as silk. I'm really upset worth myself for not taking before and after shots, it was quite an accomplishment.

As for rubble, they should be able to handle most of that for you and windrow it, yes. What Jeff is talking about is some larger stones won't come loose if they are smooth or flat, the carbide tips need an edge to bite to kick the stone loose. It will usually loosen these though so they will pop out easily with a digging bar. Depending on how much debris you have, you may have to make multiple passes.

A word of caution however. I have to disagree with Jeff's recommendation of running your machine with less than a full hydraulic tank. This can lead to overheating of the oil, pump and implement. Also something to consider, the only way oil level can have an effect on pressure is if the pump is starving for oil, which isn't good. This will lead to premature failure. The way to control hydraulic pressure is through engine rpm. Sorry Jeff!

[Stonehenge]

Hey, you'd know about the working of the tools more than I would. I just run 'em. Then I try to fix 'em when I break 'em. Then I hire someone to fix 'em.

Edit: With your Nascar avatar, you might appreciate this analogy: I'm like the Jeff Gordon of landscaping equipment.

[Pelican]

LOL!LOL!! Well Jeff, it's pretty clear you aren't much up on NASCAR either! You are the first person I know to compare themselves to Jeff Gordon!! LOL!

Better do a little reading about him!

[Stonehenge]

I think Rodney Carrington did a funny song about that issue - but that's not the thing I'm talking about.

I have heard that all he knows how to do is drive.

But back to Warby, so far it sounds like you have a few testimonials in favor of this attachment. And mechanically it's a pretty simple machine (and based on what's above this post, if I'm saying it, you know it has to be true).