The different types of tractor rakes

A tractor gravel rake is among the most effective implements for landscape management. The rake attachments are the different implements attached to the back of tractors. The attachment is via the 3-point hitch.

A typical rake is at least four feet wide for a sub-compact lawn tractor. The rake can also be longer, up to ten feet for big and compact tractors. Among all the tractor rake types, the hay rake is wider than most of the other rakes.

The design of lawn tractors enables them to pull different attachments. A lawn tractor can pull rakes, dump carts, and scrapers. Rake attachments differ in that they are used for heavy-duty clearing work.

Many of the landscape rakes have a width of around four feet or more. The width will depend on the tractor's brand, horsepower, size, and the type of landscape rake. The sleeve or 3-point hitch makes it easy to attach a rake to the tractor.

Lawn tractor rake attachments are the same as rakes made for riding lawn owners, and the difference is that they are for heavier duties. Many manufacturers of lawn tractors sell tow-behind rakes. The tow-behind rake designs are only compatible with their specific tractor models.

How They Work

• Three-Point Hitch: The rake attaches to the tractor's three-point hitch, allowing the operator to control its depth, angle, and position. 
• Adjustable Settings: Many rakes allow for adjustments to the tines' angle, enabling them to be used for different tasks from breaking up soil clumps to spreading materials evenly. 
• Wheels for Depth Control: Optional bolt-on wheels can be added to control the raking depth, protecting the tines from excessive wear and ensuring a consistent finish. 
• Versatile Functionality: The rake can be used to spread materials, smooth parking lots, clear vegetation, de-thatch grass, and fix gravel roads. 

Common Uses

• Gravel Driveway & Road Maintenance: Smoothing and leveling gravel surfaces. 
• Soil & Lawn Preparation: Spreading topsoil, breaking up sod, and preparing a seedbed. 
• Clearing & Grading: Clearing trash, raking leaves, and grading areas for various landscaping needs. 
• Debris Removal: Removing vegetation and clearing debris from an area. 

Lawn tractor rakes have different price tags depending on brands and purpose.

The tractor rakes, depending on their components, are divided into two different classes.

1. The spring teeth rake
2. Finger wheel rakes.

The tractor rakes can also be classified into the following categories:

1. Hay rakes or transverse tractor rakes

These rakes can arrange hay into piles perpendicular to the direction of the tractor. The hay rakes designs are different depending on the manufacturing company.

The transverse tractors differ in their widths, making the rakes to be in different sizes. For example, hay rakes made in the USSR are for the GP-14 models with a work span of 14-m.

The rakes have three hinge joint sections with curved spring teeth. The joint hinge section has automatic parts, a teeth-lifting mechanism, and support wheels.

As the machine works, its teeth rake the hay together. The hay forms a box shape. The operator then engages a new mechanism that lifts the rake's teeth with meticulous precision. The cleaning rods then push the bundles of hay on the ground. The teeth now automatically move back to their original position.

When you use hay rakes to clear a small piece of land, the tractor's middle section piles the hay together. The middle section of the tractor is about six meters wide.

Transverse tractor rakes have two drum sections, each held by an independent wheel. The rake orientation is at a 45-degree angle to the machine motion direction.

The spring teeth and drum rotation start from the drive wheels. When the machine moves, the drums move hay forward, then to the side. They make a loose formation of the doubled-over bale.

2. Landscape Rake

It's also the rock rake or root rake. The rake gathers stubborn roots, rocks, and breaks the dirt clods. Its main feature is the strong metal tines spaced an inch apart from one another. The setting enables this rake to gather and capture rocks, debris, and trash. The rake can also level the soil and prepare seedbeds, as well as spread topsoil materials.

The landscape rake features a lever for easy lowering and raising to adjustable heights. A landscape rake enables a tractor to clear well debris. The landscape rake is at times called the rock rake or York rake. It has the main feature of plenty of curved C-tines pulled or pushed behind the tractor. It has spring-like actions that maintain the tines firmly in place. The uses of landscape rakes are clearing rocks, sand, roots, and other debris.

3. Tractor dethatcher or dethatching rake

It's a rake type that doesn't collect any materials like the landscape rake. A dethatcher rake is also known as a vertical mower. The design of this rake is to cut through decaying roots, stems, and grass clippings. Thatch clings to the soil, and it needs the operator to yank or slice it away using force.

4. Mulching sweeper rake

A mulching sweeper rake usually gets attached to the tractor's moving deck and rear hitch. The rake mows small leaves, vegetable residues, and sticks into manageable pieces. After removing the chopped materials, the powerful vacuum sucks them. It now deposits them into the container at the back of the tractor.

The rake collects all leaves, debris, and other trash. It's possible to manually or mechanically tilt the container to dump the debris.

Conclusion

When selecting a rake type for your specific task, check the horsepower rating. The ground-engaging rakes that dig in the soil need powerful tractors to pull them. Always be familiar with the rake specifications. The rakes that require a sleeve hitch necessitate additional purchases.