A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting and Operating a Power Rake Attachment

For contractors tackling soil prep, final grading and site cleanup, power rake attachments have become essential tools. From preparing seedbeds for landscaping projects to refreshing gravel driveways, these hydraulically powered attachments replace manual labor with mechanical efficiency. With options ranging from compact 48-in. units to massive 120-in. models, selecting the right power rake for a skid steer or compact track loader requires understanding the nuances of application, machine compatibility and operational requirements.

Understanding What Power Rakes Do

At its core, a power rake is designed to work smarter, not harder. “A skid steer power rake or a compact track loader or mini skid steer power rake is designed to make work more efficient to replace manual labor,” explains Kevin Murphy, key account manager at Blue Diamond Attachments. “It’s got a rotating drum with teeth on it designed to rake up rock and debris out of soil, to break up any hard clumps in that dirt and to prepare that ground for final grade and seeding or sod.”

The applications extend well beyond traditional landscaping. Murphy notes that contractors use power rakes for gravel driveways, “trying to dig up all that compacted buried stone and bringing it up top to freshen up those gravel driveways helps level out any ruts that may be there without having to drop a truckload of fresh stone on top of it.”

Star Industries emphasizes the versatility of these attachments. “Power rakes are used for several applications in landscaping, such as seedbed preparation, leveling and re-conditioning of soil,” says Steve Griffith, inside sales leader for Star Industries. “They’re very popular in residential and commercial construction for preparing and leveling the pad site.”

For new construction sites, power rakes excel at debris removal. “You’ve got new construction, new development going in, you’ve got jobsites for dropping houses in, and it’s not just rocks, but construction debris flying around, and you’ve got pieces of wood and plastic and weeds and vegetation popping up,” Murphy describes. The power rake efficiently separates this debris from soil, preparing sites for final finishing.

Sizing Up Your Options

Power rake widths span an impressive range to match different machine sizes and applications. Blue Diamond offers four distinct duty ratings across its lineup. The company’s standard-duty and heavy-duty Series 2 models are available in 48-, 60- and 72-in. widths, designed for mini skid steers and lower-powered machines. Murphy explains about the heavy-duty series: “They are a little bit more durable with a protected motor that’s mounted up and away instead of a direct drive.” For full-size loaders, Blue Diamond’s extreme-duty series jumps to 72-, 84- and 96-in. widths, while its severe-duty Series 3 models — designed for high-flow applications — top out at an impressive 120 in. “You can go anywhere from a mini skid steer with a 4-ft rake all the way up to a 10-ft severe duty high-flow rake for your larger frame skid steers,” Murphy notes.

Land Pride offers performance-matched options, including its SR27 series power rakes for Kubota SSV and SVL machines, plus the CSR10 series compact power rakes specifically designed for compact track loaders. Star Industries takes a focused approach with its 72-in. inset direct hydraulic drive unit. Griffith explains: “We find that this version is small enough to be nimble on jobsites as far as getting around obstacles while still being productive as it leaves a 6-ft swath each time it passes by.”

Width selection often comes down to access and efficiency. Murphy points to a common contractor dilemma. “We talk to a lot of landscapers that are trying to fit into smaller backyards to get the area prepped after putting in a pool or something like that, and they’ve got to be able to fit through a gate,” he says. “So, if I’m trying to tell them, ‘Hey, you should really get the 84-in. rake’ … they’re like, ‘Great, well, I also need a narrow one because I’ve got to get through a gate.’”

Available Options and Configurations

Modern power rakes offer extensive customization to match specific applications and workflows. The tooth configuration represents one of the most important decisions. Blue Diamond offers both fixed and replaceable tooth options.

“The fixed tooth is just welded to the drum,” Murphy explains. “A replaceable tooth actually has a threaded insert in the drum where the tooth screws into it. So, to replace it you just throw a wrench on there and screw in new ones for those that are worn off or if any of them break.”

While replaceable teeth carry a higher upfront cost, Murphy recommends them for value: “Long term, you may have higher operating cost down the road” with fixed teeth. Blue Diamond’s parts division keeps replaceable teeth readily available, ensuring minimal downtime when wear parts need replacement.
Angle adjustment — manual versus hydraulic — presents another key decision point. Manual angle systems use a pin-lock mechanism that operators reposition by hand. “With the smaller rakes, it’s not a big deal because they weigh a couple 100 lbs,” Murphy says. “When we start getting on a 1,000-lb rake, trying to swing that thing over back and forth, then 20 degrees makes you wish you had a hydraulic cylinder to do it for you.”

For hydraulic angle systems, Blue Diamond employs an electronic diverter valve controlled through wire harnesses. “We can set it up to work with an OEM 14-pin plug or a Cat or a Bobcat or whatever OEM,” Murphy explains. The modular harness design allows contractors running multiple machine brands to swap configurations or opt for a universal controller setup.

Land Pride offers its innovative Intell-Attach system for Kubota SVL97-3 machines equipped with high flow and hydraulic hitch options. “Once programmed, the communication between the receiver and tag automatically recognizes the capabilities of the attachment and adjusts the power unit to match,” explains Michael Butler, CE product manager for Kubota by Land Pride products. “Real-time feedback between the attachment and SVL97-3 helps the operator maximize performance and speed machine setup.”

Optional skid shoes, available on some models, provide added functionality. “Those skid shoes do have bolt holes in the bottom of them where you can bolt on those skid shoes, which help increase the volume of material you can have in there,” Murphy describes. “Engineers say 30 percent more material.”

Hydraulic Requirements

Matching hydraulic flow to your power rake is critical for performance and longevity. Blue Diamond’s standard and heavy-duty models accommodate machines with as little as 11 gpm — suitable for mini skid steers like Bobcat MT machines — ranging up to 25 gpm. Its extreme-duty models require 15 to 26 gpm, while severe duty high-flow models demand 30 to 40 gpm.

“We like to see around 2,500 psi of pressure to be able to have good torque to run it, so it doesn’t bog down too much,” Murphy advises. Higher-pressure systems up to 4,000 psi are supported on extreme- and severe-duty models when equipped with case drain lines. Land Pride’s specifications call for 12 to 24 gpm for its SR27 series, with up to 15 gpm for compact track loader models.

Selection Considerations

Beyond basic specifications, several practical factors should guide your power rake selection. Transportation logistics matter more than many buyers initially consider. Blue Diamond’s standard and heavy-duty models feature flip-up front wheels that save trailer space and enable work in tighter areas. The extreme- and severe-duty models use bolted, fixed-front strut wheels built for durability on high-horsepower machines.

Fleet versatility represents another consideration for contractors operating multiple machine brands. Murphy emphasizes Blue Diamond’s approach: “If you are going to work on one machine, it’s really easy to set up. If you’re going to switch on multiple machines, that might be another conversation. How do I want to have this wired?”

Butler reinforces the importance of thoughtful selection, saying, “flow, size, manual or hydraulic hitch, floating hitch design” all factor into the decision. Griffith asks buyers to consider three key questions: “How large or compact are your jobsites? Do you own a machine to pair with a power rake and, if so, what is the gpm flow? Is leveling something you do every day?”

Skid Steer vs. Compact Track Loader

When given the choice between machine types, compact track loaders hold a clear advantage for power rake applications. “CTL for sure,” Murphy states definitively. “You’re going to have lower ground pressure, so you’re not going to leave as big of ruts. You’re going to have better traction to be able to push forward with it.”

The traction difference proves particularly important when moving material. “As you’re again pushing or pulling this pile of dirt with rocks in it, having that torque and traction to be able to effectively move the dirt and material is going to perform well for you,” Murphy explains. Land Pride’s Butler offers a more diplomatic assessment: “Personal preference, both will perform the same,” though the consensus among manufacturers leans toward CTLs for optimal performance.

The Bottom Line

Power rake attachments have evolved into sophisticated tools that dramatically improve efficiency on everything from residential landscaping to large-scale site development. Success comes down to matching the right attachment to your specific application, machine capabilities and operational workflow.

Brandon Jaynes is a freelance writer for Compact Equipment.