Building a cleanup rake for a mini excavator

[@FL_Native_68]

Same concept as a mop pipe, just using rake tines. Dang good idea.

[@leebo6235]

That’s my secret weapon around here to do for cleanup. Mine is behind my tractor I actually spin it around backwards and like to push it in reverse then have the grapple on front of tractor and hardly have to use a rake, I have done some jobs I didn’t even touch a rake on and that’s nice ain’t going to lie lol

[@davidkoontz24]

Just spitballin here…. Understand the pivot feature u want by having a loose grapple on it. Maybe there will be a need for outriggers on the end with wheels or slides to help keep it as low and level as possible without digging in too much. Just an idea if it has too much bite or is difficult keeping it in the sweet spot.

[@esad777]

Hey Tim I built the same concept years ago for my skid steer, tractor, and mini. Went through several variations but ended up with nothing more than a 5” pipe welded parallel and stood off the top rake a bit. This give the teeth of the grapple something to grab on. Your thought process is the same as mine was but you will find you need downward pressure to use effectively. It works best and fastest on a skid steer. Grab it one direction and pull debris away from other objects and then let go a grab it again opposite and push the debris towards a pile. I clean up not only my tree jobs but also small lots clearing and house demos, it a serious time saver.

[@donutman3089]

Awesome idea...and thanks for spurring my own idea of this.

[@CoastlineMx]

What model electric chain saws do you use? Also what size bar and what chain works best for the saw ?

[@cotontop3]

Husky T540ixp. .043 chain

[@michaelbaumgardner9493]

Good afternoon. Future reference, Good Works Tractor in Kalamazoo Michigan. Looking forward to seeing how it works out

[@bobber55]

Just a suggestion, you should cover your boat mainly since the grinder is being used inside.

[@peewee.3138]

Thanks Mr. Tim. Can’t wait to see the finished version. Hope your dad and the rest of the TDK crew are doing well.

[@metlmuncher]

I like it. A lot. Now I need to figure out how to make one work with a bucket and thumb

[@mandeladams4793]

Only down side with the bucket and the thumb is no rotation for adjustment. Add an I beam to the top of the york rake or landscape rake where you can pinch it.

[@metlmuncher]

@@mandeladams4793 I'm on the same page. Probably add a pivot to allow a little float to follow the ground contour a bit.

[@mandeladams4793]

@@metlmuncher I like that idea. Something readily available and at any junk yard or parts store are CV axles pre engineered to take a bunch of force at different angles Add a nut 🔩 on each end Of the axle to bolt them onto the I beam and to the landscape rake at each end may have more control than a single pin in the middle. A shock from a small car or truck on each side of the middle pivot pin may work to chase contours?

[@patkelly7999]

Great stuff Men, very nice rake Tim,well wear👌👍🙂

[@cotontop3]

Thanks 👍

[@hbltzll]

In theory it sounds like it will be a great asset to you, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the concept of using it with the grapple. I can’t wait to see it in action 🤔

[@glennmoore3764]

I have one for my tractor it works great. That’s way cool love the concept

[@cotontop3]

Very cool!

[@l0n3d4nger4]

I tried this with a smaller excavator destroyed it pretty quick ended welding angle to a ipie and chained it to bucket worked better

[@btsllc9676]

Cleanup is a major bottle neck for me.

[@martineastburn3679]

You might rake the dead limbs off a tree as well. Lots of fingers there to do as you want. Springs as well for some give.

[@royceabbottsexcavation3709]

I can see that working really well. I use a old street sweeper roll. Works good on dirt on concrete or asphalt.

[@cotontop3]

Good to know!

[@josephboley]

That tree that shattered like glass...is that what motivated you to build this?? Reason I'm asking is cause I thought in that moment is a big rake would be really handy

[@garyjustliving3963]

We use a pine needle rake on our loader, never do without one again. The pine needle rake easy on grass also.

[@kimhollowell1224]

I had to weld the pivot point on mine ....kept hanging stuff on outside edges ....pin and bolts broke repeatedly

[@l0n3d4nger4]

Not trying to bother you about it but can you discuss why you left your other job loading

[@cotontop3]

Never said I did.

[@singleshot2218]

Good idea! Hope to see a vid soon. Take care and stay safe bud! God bless!✝️🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@derrickpettit86]

Hey Tim that's a great idea with the rake, thanks for sharing, Volvo has been stepping up there game, there machines are well built, been loving the videos man, 🤙💪🇺🇲🌲🌲

[@l0n3d4nger4]

You should have gotten a rake on market place there are hundreds

[@Bryer68]

Great video Tim from Bryer hey nr Tim you still help your dad a little bit I think the rake looks good

[@franciss.3298]

Was the Volvo event at the farm show complex?

[@cotontop3]

It was at Volvo's headquarters in Shippensburg