Ratchet rake.

[BeeMaster2]

I just picked up my new ratchet rake. Has anyone used one?
A friend has one and said it is great for clearing brush. It attaches to the bucket on the front end loader. I haven't tried it yet, too many projects going now.
I originally ordered it to spread slag on my driveway.  It took 6 weeks to arrive at TSC. Already spread the slag a month ago, with a box blade. That worked real well.
Jim

[BeeMaster2]

Here is a link to see what it is/does.
http://www.ratchetrake.com/
Jim

[Acebird]

My rachet rake started out like this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rX4VpjUWQO1ycma12

When I get my tractor back from the shop I will link a photo to the final design.  My gardens were made in an area with trees 50 feet in height.  I spent a lot of time digging out roots and stumps.  Most of the large rocks are cleared now.  Occasionally one will turn up.

Today the back yard and garden looks like this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L5TlCL7gihObHl0p2

[jalentour]

I looked into that product.  My terrain is too rough, hilly, steep and overgrown for it to the work I am interested in.  hence the JD 450 rental for trails.  I'm clearing a lot of 40-50 year old growth. 
I'd like it for small jobs though.

[Michael Bush]

Let us know how it works.  I've been looking at them for a few years now, but haven't bought one yet...

[BeeMaster2]

My rachet rake started out like this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rX4VpjUWQO1ycma12

When I get my tractor back from the shop I will link a photo to the final design.  My gardens were made in an area with trees 50 feet in height.  I spent a lot of time digging out roots and stumps.  Most of the large rocks are cleared now.  Occasionally one will turn up.

Today the back yard and garden looks like this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L5TlCL7gihObHl0p2

[BeeMaster2]

Let us know how it works.  I've been looking at them for a few years now, but haven't bought one yet...

Will do.
Better yet, maybe you can try it out during Beefest 2018.
Jim

[Michael Bush]

>Better yet, maybe you can try it out during Beefest 2018.

There you go.

[Psparr]

Just put it in the overhead.

[BeeMaster2]

Psparr,
Do you mean for storage?
Jim

[Psparr]

In the plane. Should fit.

[Michael Bush]

It's not my rake...

[Kathyp]

Might work better than the way I do it.  I just bash my way through and try not to get dragged off the seat by the blackberries.  There's usually some blood involved and torn up clothing.   

[BeeMaster2]

Kathy,
I have not tried it yet but per a buddy that has one, you drive up to the brush, drop the loader/rake down over them and back up. Then you use the rake to push the brush/vines into a pile.
Jim

[220]

I find the teeth on the skid steer bucket do a reasonable job on light scrub and small blackberries but for heavy scrub and blackberry patches that might cover a few acres and be 10-12 feet high you need more protection.
I built this for the skid steer
[attachment=0][/attachment]

[BeeMaster2]

That looks like it will do the job!
Looks like it cost a lot more than $400 to build and that's just material costs.
Jim

[Kathyp]

I need that and a cage.   

[jalentour]

Me too!

[220]

That looks like it will do the job!
Looks like it cost a lot more than $400 to build and that's just material costs.
Jim

Depends how you cost it, had a sheet of 5/8" plate sitting around doing nothing as was the 4x4" heavy wall RHS.
Could say it cost nothing but a couple a days to put it together, either way it does do the job and the original design must have been reasonable as 18 months on we haven't had to modify or repair it.

[Acebird]

looks like you might have burned up a lot of gas torching that plate.