Lawn rake / Dethatcher

[mmzullo]

Looks good. I use a sears pull behind thathcher with upgraded tines. Stock ones too light. If you use it on gravel you will get hit in the back with stones. Mine has wheels on it so when I cross my driveway(paved) it wont scratch. I also have a front mounted one that I use it the same time.

[twoton]

Originally Posted by cyr2872

One of my projects this fall was to make a 3 point lawn rake attachment. I wanted something heavy duty I could use as a lawn/gravel rake. The prebuild dethatchers were lighter than I wanted and the large landscape rakes were bigger (more expensive) than I needed. I ended up making my own, with at grand total of ~$90 in parts using square tube and bailing tines. It's 60" wide which fits perfectly behind the 1872. I'm excited to use it this next year.

So Jason, have you had a chance to use your rake yet, just wondering how it works out, any changes upgrades, etc...

[cyr2872]

Originally Posted by twoton

So Jason, have you had a chance to use your rake yet, just wondering how it works out, any changes upgrades, etc...

I got a chance to use it last weekend and it works great. I didn't get before and after pictures, having too much fun to stop and take pictures. I'll get a few pictures of the after results tonight. The rake did really well at pulling the dead grass/leaves up and bunching it between the first and second row of tines. This made it really easy at the end of a pass to lift the rake with the 3 point and create nice bunches to be picked up. The only modifications I made was adding about 10lbs of weight to the rake to get a little more down pressure.

[twoton]

Great, glad to hear it's working well. Is there some sort of rectangular washer inside the spring coil through which the bolt goes. I was wondering if that was something you made or bought?

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by twoton

Great, glad to hear it's working well. Is there some sort of rectangular washer inside the spring coil through which the bolt goes. I was wondering if that was something you made or bought?

Those spring tines just bolt on.

It states in the first post he built it.

[twoton]

Yeah I know he built it. Just looking at the picture of the tines;

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products...l#.VRncB_zF_fI

I'm wondering how a bolt head would catch the coiled part of the spring. Just a hex bolt?, no large washer or clamp or something? I just don't want to end up placing two orders for this stuff.

Thanks.

[J-Mech]

I guess I don't understand..... they just bolt on. Yes, you might need a washer..... Is that what you want to know?

[cyr2872]

Originally Posted by twoton

Yeah I know he built it. Just looking at the picture of the tines;

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products...l#.VRncB_zF_fI

I'm wondering how a bolt head would catch the coiled part of the spring. Just a hex bolt?, no large washer or clamp or something? I just don't want to end up placing two orders for this stuff.

Thanks.

Yep, just a hex head bolt and washer on the tine side and a lock washer and nut on top. I positioned the tines so when it is engaged with the ground the "u" bend in the tine presses against the bolt. That way it doesn't try to work it's way out. I can get a close up pic tomorrow if you like.

[twoton]

Thanks guys.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by twoton

Great, glad to hear it's working well. Is there some sort of rectangular washer inside the spring coil through which the bolt goes. I was wondering if that was something you made or bought?

I'm thinking there is a sheet metal piece that goes inside the spring loops. Serves as a flat washer for the bolt and forces the tooth to twist in the direction the coil is wound instead of trying to flex back. At least thats what I seem to recall from some baler or hay rake I've worked on--I think our Allis rake is set up like that.