What is a forest rake
The device is a metal structure with long teeth, mounted on the front or rear canopy of the tractor. When passing through the cutting area, the equipment barely touches the ground surface, and forest rakes easily pass stumps and low obstacles by raising and lowering the tines. In different models and configurations, the raising /lowering of the teeth can vary within +27 /-22 cm.
Using the forest rake - pros and cons
In addition to the obvious benefits of speeding up the work and reducing labor costs for clearing forest plots, the mounted rake has received the approval of the harvesting company for its good performance.
- Wide compatibility: most types of harvesting rakes offered by domestic manufacturers are compatible with the most popular MTZ 82/920/1221 tractors used throughout forestry.
- Simple control: the rake is controlled from the cab. To clean forest areas, you only need a skilled tractor driver, which significantly saves resources for cleaning the plot.
- Safety: the rake does not harm the upper layers of forest soil, as it does not burrow into the ground and rise when passing bumps and stumps.
The forest rake has several drawbacks to consider when purchasing equipment.
Firstly, the equipment is controlled from the cab using a hydraulic drive, and this is, albeit small, but a complication for forestry equipment. Over time, the equipment will require repair, so before purchasing it is better to immediately make sure that the seller provides service, or that you can independently find a technician with the required qualifications.
Secondly, some models of mounted rakes for forest cleaning can damage undergrowth, which will entail penalties (Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation Article 8.28). Many logging companies even include the costs of fines in the next year's budget.
Purchase of a mounted rake for forest cleaning in Russia
The cost of a forest rake on the Russian market is 100 - 115 thousand rubles, however, many manufacturers report the price only upon request. At a relatively high price, the equipment pays off very quickly by saving time for harvesting cutting areas, which can be spent on harvesting and thereby increasing the volume of production.
Reviews of the mounted rake are controversial in the forestry industry, but most business owners support the purchase of equipment. Anyway, forest rake is definitely a logging investment worth considering.
