In the past it has been discussed that the harley rake is more useful and versatile. As the rock hound won't loosen tough soils like clay. Rock hounds excell in sands and well worked sites where the soils is broken down into fines and the debris needs collected.
A harley rake will till, move soil around to level and gather up debris. But won't actually pick it up. I guess I'll find out this summer as I have a new Erskine soil conditioner on order, which is simular to a Harley Rake
Ken
I have the Bobcat Soil Conditioner similar to Harley Rake. I am in a high silt/clay soil.
Performance in this type soil is dependent upon the moisture content. If the soil is very dry it will turn the silt into powder. If the moisture content is too wet the clay will stick to the drum and teeth and will stall the drum. It is just the nature of this soil type. When the moisture content is moderate, the performance is excellent. It will prep and level the bed, throwing the debris out front.
The Bobcat brand has three adjustments.
1. Depth of cut is adjusted by turning a large bolt on the attachment. You can till up to 3 inches deep.
2. You can side cast you angling the drum. You can get them with manual or hydraulic angle.
3. Leveling has two settings that are made by moving two pins. The float position allows the drum to float and follow the existing grade. To level the pins lock the attachment plate rigid and you tilt your Quicktach until the front tires of the loader lift off the ground. The drum is then suspended between the front casters and rear wheels
Since these attachments are spendy, I would suggest you ask people in your area on their performance or rent a few times to see what you can do. In my area (Minnesota) I see a lot of Harley Rakes. It is just about a standard with the landscapers. I rarely see pickup type rakes. I have been at auctions in my area and witnessed BROKEN Harley rakes sell for more than half of their new price! They a desirable attachment. I went with Bobcats model for two reasons, they are direct drive off the hydraulic motor, not chain drive and secondly I found a manual angle with less than 20 hours on it for $3500. New it was $5700 back then.
The Pickup type rakes are designed to do just that pickup debris.
The
Rockhound Manual states:
Ground Preparation: ... Note: If the ground is extremely compacted, use an attachment such as a tiller or scarifier to loosen the ground at least 4 inches in depth.
The FFC Preparator (
Preparator Manual) uses a drum with teeth to basically till up to 2 inches and collect the debris.
You will have to decide what you need the attachment to accomplish.
My 2c, Good luck.