The origin of power rake only began 30 years ago in a small town in Minnesota. A man named Harley had created a tractor attachment designed to clear the rocks from farm fields, condition the soil to a workable particle size and grade the surface -- all in one pass. Now about the time this power rake gained popularity for farm use, a lot of golf course construction projects were starting up around the country. From humble beginnings, power box raking pioneered a raking revolution, eventually directing its capabilities for use in the landscape and compact utility loader.

The general misconception was that the power box rake was for pushing rocks off the job and into a line or windrow, which then had to be collected with the loader’s bucket. Since, most of the power box raking was done driving forward, work got done nearly three times as fast. All the dirt was left on the jobsite, the grading was done and the soil was conditioned. Those benefits meant that contractors could get on wet jobs sooner, gaining profitable work time that didn’t exist prior to the power box rake.

When the rocks are cleared there is a lot of grading and soil preparation needed prior to seeding. The power box rake is brought in to pulverize, level, place, finish and Clean. As with any product there are features and benefit differences which are usually reflected in the price.

Today, there are many “powered” rakes, but if they don’t have the right stuff your investment becomes painfully clear when the pressure is on to beat the job’s completion deadline, as well as the grass growing season and the rain. Compact utility loaders have amazing hydraulic power, but have limitations in traction (limited only by their lightweight), which makes the 4-ft rake width their magic number.

Power Rake Selection Tips: What are the important features for getting tough jobs done fast?

Reliability: If your power rake is broken, no matter its features, you aren’t going to beat the rain. Dealer support is vital. That doesn’t just mean their ability to do competent repairs, but are they there when you need them? Remember the reason for power raking is to create a seedbed fast. That means you not only have to get done before it rains, you have to get jobs done in time for the seed to grow. Downtime can kill your financial viability.

Price: Like all equipment used to produce a living, a good deal on price can turn bad quick. In order to create a low price, cheaper components have to be substituted, which means production skill sets and expertise can be compromised. Remember: Only monkeys work for peanuts! A good power rake means all the welds have to be done right, on every single component produced on every rake, every time.

Tooth-Roller Diameters: When working in wet and sticky ground conditions, torque and power are necessary to finish the job. The larger the roller, the more surface for mud to grab on to and less torque is actually available to do productive work. Less horsepower is needed to turn a roller of smaller dimensions. When soil gets dry it becomes difficult and sometimes impossible for the soil to climb up and over the height of the roller. This means your seedbed material gets pushed ahead, instead of being separated and distributed back onto the site as you work. Years of contractor feedback have made it clear that the magic number is 6 in. When creating a great seedbed you need far less horsepower to do it in tough, hard or sticky soil conditions. When it comes to roller diameter, less is more.

No Tools Needed: If you have to chase wrenches to make adjustments such as moving the box end plates from the front to back or to adjust the flexible barrier above the roller’s teeth in order to control your particle size, you are losing valuable time. Capabilities are critical. Can the power rake you are considering work with equal abilities in reverse as well as forward operations? Do you need to be able to pull material away from homes, sidewalks and trees -- as well as push? Can you change the discharge angle of the rake from your seat on the fly? Angling on the fly means you can swing the rake from left to right without having to stop working to do it. It’s important when you have to backfill along new sidewalks, fill over-digs next to the footings or back fill trenches.

Drive Components: Drive component guards, which rub on the seedbed, can catch clumps of sod raising the teeth and roller away from the work surface. That means the powered rake won't be raking. Instead it will act more like a blade that is tipped on its side. Check to be sure the roller is not teeth-deep on both sides, but drum-deep, with no framework plowing dirt or scrubbing the seedbed. A dependable drive system that doesn't get in the way of your work is important. Potential ground engaging components like chain case bottoms or box end edges should be protected by proper setup and carbide hard facing.

Light Weight: A light weight is a big deal when it comes to tractor units. Typically compact tractors popular with landscapers are in the 30- to 45-hp range. However, with the trend moving toward smaller and lighter frames, powered rakes in excess of 900 lbs means the tractor better have front counterweights and a lowered bucket in order to keep the front wheels on the ground and steering.

Box Ends: Box ends turn the powered rake from a blade into a box. What does that mean? It means versatility. Box ends give you the ability to hold onto material so you can spread it, contain it or direct it where you want or need it.

- By Brad Kahler, marketing coordinator at Glenmac Inc.