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BX23Fan
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 25 Snohomish, WA
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2005-05-18          111244


I recently purchased a BX23 for my new home on 2.3 acres. I bought a 4' box blade and a 60" MMM. First order of business is install a ~1/2 acre front yard. The builder graded the front yard nicely with a bulldozer, leaving just smoothed dirt and 2"-6" rocks everywhere.

So, first step is to remove the rocks in the top several inches of soil. I spoke with the local rental place and they recommended renting a Rock Hound ($315 per day) along with a Bobcat (cost unknown). I'd much rather use an implement that is compatible with my BX23's category 1 3pt hitch. He spoke of a rock rake attachment ($50 per day), but warned that it will not be nearly effective as the rock hound (no surprise) and may be frustrating to use, given the fact that it will mostly just bring rocks to the surface rather than collect them. I was thinking that I could angle the rake 15-30 degrees and channel the rocks into a line that could be picked up by hand afterward.

questions:

1) Is a rock rake that effective?
2) Would angling the rake make a difference?
3) Are they any better alternatives to a rake that are still cost effective?


Your thoughts and comments are appreciated...




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DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2005-05-18          111251


I am amazed that you have someone who will rent you implements for your tractor. How great is that?

If I want to try a rake(or anything besides a box scraper)I have to go buy the sucker and hope I guessed right.

You have an inexpensive way to experiment and build a wealth of experience. Have fun!! ....


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brokenarrow
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1288 Wisconsin
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2005-05-18          111252


BXfan
Since I am an expert rock picker (mostly by hand) and have never rented or bought equipment for this annual duty I should shut up about now BUT I have alot of experiance in picking rocks. Yes what you were told is correct. If you want a clean field, rent a rock hound or any powerized piece of equipment that goes on the front of a skid steer. By far, this is the best way to go and well worth every penny you spend, IF you want a very clean field! If you can live with some rocks and have a good back I would go buy a landscape rake and do exactly what you were going to do.. notice I said buy? For just over 300 you can buy one and have it to use at your leisure every year! Rocks continue to bubble up to the surface every year (where I live ,frost heavin) My next impliment on my list is a rake.
(see my pic number 10) I have had hundreds of these bucket loads and many many more that have been throw aside by hand and not hauled to my low spots. One good thing hauling them, I will never have these spots in my driveway have any problems in the spring. Back breaking work is picking by hand and no matter how long you pick it will NOT be anywhere as effective as a powerized rake. I thinki if you rent one the first time and do a GOOD job then the rest of your years you can do yearly maintanace picking by hand or with your bx and a landscape rake.
I had 3 guys picking for over 2 weekends also my 3 kids and wife picking for 1 day all this on a 1 acre field and I still have enough rock in that field (2" and smaller) to build a house with left on the ground. My pic 13 shows part of the plot tht was just picked.
To end, if your time means anything to you rent it, if your finished product means anything to you, rent it, if your sanity means anything to you, rent it! If not then by all means bend over and start a slow walk with your arms swinging like a gorrila. It only takes 120 trips up a field that it 240 feet wide and 240 feet long (roughly) to pick a acre of rock. (PS. Thats only what is on top, and nothing that is 2-3 inches below the surface!) LOL

Good luck and may God be with you my son!
you will need him! Trust me! ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-05-19          111262


There is just one other way than what you know so far.

It's still a slow process, but works very well. Get the yard plowed down to JUST the depth of the topsoil. Then run a potatoe harvestor over it.

Seriously !!

A potatoe harvestor is designed to do exactly this operation, only it is supposed to take out the potatoes and leave the dirt behind, not rocks.

Basically what it does is scoop a narrow row of dirt, potatoes (or rocks) and all up a ramp and onto a sifting screen, the dirt goes down through and the potatoes (or rocks) move down the conveyor and into a bin.

Best of luck. ....


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WPHill
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 57 Florida
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2005-05-21          111341


I saw a video of a rake called a TR3 by absoluteinnovations.net. It was impressive, don't know the cost. Good luck. ....


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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2005-05-25          111526


Depending on the pockets depth those stone picking potato harvester type machines are expensive Murf! Harley rock rakes are great and the pro model with two rollers are the best of all for windrowing. There are some new style rock buckets that have round bars and about 1 1/2 spacing that work well but still built to large for your BX. I'd recommend the skid steer and the rock hound for convenince. ....


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ncrunch32
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 762 Kingston, NY
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2005-05-25          111530


I use a rock rake to level the loose dirt and rake most of the rocks off and pick them up with a bucket. Then I go over the whole area again with a hand rake and shovel up the remaining smaller rocks, roots, etc. This of course does not get rocks out that are under the surface of the soil. But I imagine it would be sufficient for most homeowners.

When I was a kid my dad plowed 3 acres with a horse, then paid us kids 10 cents a pile to pick up the rocks he raked out by hand. Ended up being a beautiful lawn with swimming pond and raft. Took me 6 hours to mow it every week. I wish we had a rock rake then! ....


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brokenarrow
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1288 Wisconsin
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2005-05-31          111786


You got the better half of that deal. My dad would of paid me .10 to RAKE the piles. LOL I heard stories from the older fellas who said they used to get a nickel a DAY to pick from fields when they were kids. LOL I guess if my kids did not have everything under gods sun imaginable they would be looking for something to do too but I dont think picking rocks would be at the top of their list. Times sure have changed and I think probably NOT for the better.
I will be picking rocks in 2 weeks and NOT looking forward to it! ....


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steve4300
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 71 NH
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2005-06-01          111832


you proberly can get the kids to pick up those rocks but you will have to add a couple of zeros to the .10 . ....


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