Dethatcher Improvement

[8ntruck 6,991]

I've got an old tow behind fine type dethatcher.  It is a base model that does not have any transport wheels.

 

I'm looking for advice.  Do I come up with a slot hitch for my 14-8 to tow it behind the tractor, able to lift it with the rock shaft, or do I come up with a frame to push it ahead of the tractor like a snow blade?

 

I know - pictures.  At the moment the,14-8 and dethatcher are two states away.  I'll post some when I get back.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,495]

Good question!

 

[JCM 9,130]

Front mount tine rake works great if you can find one or fabricate something close to this one pictured.  Good luck and enjoy your seat time.

[Lee1977 6,648]

It would be easier to use the front tack-a matic to mount it up. Here is a angle iron bracket I made to attach a front bumper. Most any front mouted attachment could be bolted to it.

 

 

 

I have a piece that hooks under the front hitch to keep it down you would need to leave that off so it could be lifted up.  I also used a 5/8" bolt becaust I had it a 5/8" rod will work just as well as the angle inside the hitch keep it in place.  If you need it to come below level a 5/8" rod welded to a piece of 1/4" flat will let to go both ways.

Edited June 1, 2020 by Lee1977

[Goldnboy 910]

 

I acquired a few snapper front thatcher s and combined  to one and used  a rod to lift similar  to a snowblower lift tube and flag. They attach to front to a 5/8" bolt that slips  in and out of the attach matic 

Edited June 1, 2020 by Goldnboy

[lynnmor 7,302]

I made a hitch that fits in the mid mount and pull a cheap de-thatcher there, and a lawn sweeper behind.

[8ntruck 6,991]

2 hours ago, lynnmor said:

I made a hitch that fits in the mid mount and pull a cheap de-thatcher there, and a lawn sweeper behind.

Like a belly blade?  Sounds interesting.  I'll do some measuring and mock ups when I get back.

 

I have been leaning towards some sort of front mount.  That would allow me to pull the sweeper.

[8ntruck 6,991]

I finally got some pictures of what I have to work with for this project'  

 

The first one is how the rake was intended to be used:

 

 

The second is how I think it will be more useful:

 

 

I'll have to add gage wheels, probably with some amount of adjustment, fab a mount for the front or mid Tach-Matic and work out a lift linkage. 

 

Then again, it might be easier to make a hitch that uses the rear Tach-Matic and use a lift link like a snow blade.  Won't be that much more in material cost.

Edited October 7, 2020 by 8ntruck

[8ntruck 6,991]

I downloaded manuals for mid mount grader blades, snow plows and snow blowers.  Went through them looking for inspiration for a mounting method for my rake.

 

I'be decided to model my mount and lift mechanism after the snow blowers.

[c-series don 8,670]

I cut the shaft off an old mule drive and used a snow blower lift flag and tube to mount my front mount de-thatcher.

[8ntruck 6,991]

I picked up some 6" wheels and some 1 1/4 by 1/8 flat stock today.  Going to start fabbibg a couple of casters as time permits.

 

I'll post the required pictures once I have something to post.  Hopefully, it won't be as long as the last post @pullstart put up on his dump truck project.

[8ntruck 6,991]

I got the flat stock bent up into caster brackets.  I don't have a big enough vice or a hot enough torch here, so I had to score the flat stock with a cutoff wheel to make the bends.  I'll need to lay a bead of weld on the bends to fill in the material I scored out.  Drilling and fabrication of the pivot shafts next.

[8ntruck 6,991]

Here are a couple of pictures of the rake before I started hacking:

 

It looks to be a home made implement.  Whoever made it was a belt and suspenders kind of person - there were nylock nuts and lock washers on the bolts holding the tines on.

 

Spent some time with the angle grinder getting the heart of the rake ready to fab a hitch around:

 

 

In the upper center of the picture, you can see the start of the gage wheels.

 

I've never taken my mule drive off of the front hitch.  Looks like there is an extra pin running across the top of the hitch that prevents the Tach a Matic from opening.  I'll get a better look at it this weekend and figure it out.

[8ntruck 6,991]

Got the welder out today and made more progress on this project.

 

1st mock up:

 

 

2nd mock up:

 

 

Final weld fitting:

 

 

Some clearance trimming, mounting of the gage wheels, and fabbing a lift linkage yet to go.