MOLON 5-foot Hayrake / Tedder with BCS Walk-Behind Tractor

[@mpolaj]

I own such a machine and drive it with a BCS 630 WS MAX. (I am from Slovenia, a neighbor country of Italy where BCS and Molon machines are made; I'm not sure if this model of the tractor is sold in the U.S.) I love using the machine, it is much more stable and easier to handle than the old Gorenje Muta (Slovenian product) rake/tractor combination I had before, partly because the Molon rake has a much lower weight. I should note I use it on about 60% grade, with areas of 80% grade; transversing the hill for tedding (to speed up drying) and going up and down when raking (discouraged by manufacturers for safety reasons). What I do find problematic is that I need to disable (with a rubber band*) the emergency kill switch on the tractor to be able to work, despite the tractor having one switch on each handle and holding any one is sufficient. The reason is that on a hill you need to hold the steering bar of the rake at all times, otherwise it will immediately steer down the hill**. Then you only have one hand left. So when you take off, i.e. release the clutch, you hold the left tractor handle and have your right hand on the steering bar. Now when you need to fiddle with the gas lever or use the right steering clutch/brake, you need to let go of the tractor completely to grab the steering bar with your left hand, only then can you use your right hand to operate the controls on the right tractor handle. * I do plan to upgrade this "invention" by connecting this rubber band via a string to my body so that if I fall and the machine runs away from me, the kill switch would still shut off the engine. ** Having a system that prevents forces on wheels to turn them would be great, so that when you would not move the handle, it would never change direction.

[@hmhumes]

Very nice explanation and demo. Are you still using it? Would it be possible to make a video of the "guts"? I'd like to see how the components are arranged especially the rake tines to belt attachment and the pulley arrangement. Thank you.

[@EarthTools]

We sell these machines, and also my family has had one of these rakes since 1983 and the thing still works fine.

[@jaredj631]

This stuff is so cool.

[@spawacz000]

Thank you

[@Prozac362]

Would it dig out leftover grass like a dethatcher?

[@joecoin]

Will this rake leaves?