Why are power rakes so narrow?

[gogetter]

Just wondering out loud here. Why are power rakes so narrow?. I was looking at them online and they generally run like 18" wide or so.

Sure would take a long time to do a lawn of any real size.

Just wondering why they don't make them in a wider version, say.....36" or something like that?

Only thing I come up with is maybe because uneven or bumpy ground would be a problem for a wider machine? Which makes sense to some extent, but surely you could get away with 32"-36"? No?

I haven't used one yet, so maybe those that have would have a better insight.

 

[tiedeman]

I was just wondering about that with my aerator...only 20" wide. I think that the largest that they make in my brand was 26"

 

[gogetter]

Yeah, but at least with the aerators you have the option of going with a wider tow behind unit.

As far as I know, there isn't a tow behind power rake (I'm talking a true power rake/de-thatcher, not a tine rake).

Hmm, some e-mails to the manufacturers might be in order.

 

[gogetter]

Well, I'm a knucklehead! I just found this at BlueBirds site:

http://www.bluebirdintl.com/products/combers/d110.html

However, I would still like to see a walk behind unit for those that don't having something to tow with.

 

[mtdman]

Ever run one? It's a pretty big work out. Both a power rake and a aerator. They are heavy equipment and hard to man handle. If they made them any bigger I'd have to get on roids to use 'em.

 

[tiedeman]

already tried the the roids MTD. Too bad I was randomly tested by the MLB and was caught. There goes my homeruns

 

[gogetter]

I've used aerators and I know they're a bear to use. But I haven't run a power rake though. They just look a lot smaller and lighter then an aerator. Doesn't look like there's much to them.

Oh well, if I have a need for a larger one, I guess I'll have to try to find a tow behind to rent.

Of course, I also need something to tow it with

Ahhhh, the list never ends!

 

[locutus]

Ever had one dig in and get away from you? AT 36" once it dug in, you could wave goodby to it.

 

[mtdman]

My power rake, or dethatcher, whatever, weighs about 200 lbs. If you are doing a nice flat yard, it's fine. If that thing catches on a root or uneven area, it'll take off from you and get away. Using that thing is a real workout. I wouldn't want a big 36 inch one. Mine is about 24inches wide, I think.

My aerator, that thing is a beast. It's fine if you're in the open. Get a small lawn with lots of turns, you'll wear out fast.