comparison

davem · #1 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 08:34 AM

I am considering the purchase of a tractor pulled seedbed tool for leveling and soil prep and have looked at the following machinery:Blecevator, Rotodairon, Harley rake, ATI's Preseeder, and now Landpride's unit. When I say looked at, I mean online or in promotional literature, not inperson on a job site. Are these machines all rather equivilent or are there certain factors to consider such as longevity, maintenance, or field abilities in one machine versus the other. Any insight would be helpful from those of you with experience. Thanks, Dave M

Rick Carver · #2 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 04:21 PM

Dave

I have used most of the machines you mentioned above and even owned some of them.

I will be very cautious as to what I say and how regarding products,,,, here.

I like the ATI Pre seeder best. Owned a couple of them and put a ton of hours on them.

Rick

Matt Kulp · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 07:28 PM

Dave,
I have to agree with Rick. I have also used most of these and have owned an ATI preseeder, and I was very pleased with it. ATI is a mile from my shop and I know that they are a stand up company. They have been around for a long time, and the equipment holds up very well. I am looking to get back into seeding and I will be buying another ATI piece. The Harley Rake and Landpride unit are also very good. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. The biggest problem that I have seen with those machines is misuse by the operator, or having an underpowered tractor running them.

Dale Wiley · #4 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 07:39 PM

I have used all but the Blecvator or whatever

...

They all seem very comparable, and did a good job. I rent a rodairon a couple times a year, and will be looking at buying one with a seeding unit on it. The comment about underpower is very good.... you need some power to run those, I think in our application at least 50 hp, preferably 65 - 75 hp.

Maybe a Brillion seeder also, getting into some bigger jobs, and have about 7 acres of athletic fields to put in this summer...

start2finish · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 08:20 PM

we own a harley rake, it has been a great labor saver. it works well removing thatch for renovations. but it doesn't work up extremely hard ground(what does). we had 1 year of trouble free usage. Now in the last week we have broken a yoke on the pto shaft (not the tractor end, but the fixed shaft) and lost both bearings. We ran the clutch out and greased the bearings exactly as dealer instructed.

500 hours of use and these are the only problems. I have the yoke ordered not sure how much that will cost, but all in all have been pleased with the tool. Has really taken labor out of the seed bed prep.

davem · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 09:47 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies recieved to date. My tractor would be a 45 hp four wheel drive- is this too small for one of these units to run effectively?? Is 4 wheel drive being engaged rob too much hydro power to run the machine in back?? Dave M

Bill Schwab · #7 (**permalink**) 03-14-2006, 10:17 PM

We used a Brillion for years, did a good job, simple easy to operate with very few moving parts. When we retired it it was 1999, it was new in 1957. Ran it behind a Ford Golden Jubilee with an old gasser engine.

Pelican · #8 (**permalink**) 03-15-2006, 01:12 AM

I've used the Preparator, a chain style landscape rake and the Harley Rake. I ended up buying the Harley because it suits my needs better than the others. It takes a little finess to learn how to use it, but once you do it is a great machine for grading and seed prep.