A better title might be “Which machine is best for my intended application?” To answer that let’s look at two different job sites. The first is a gravel driveway with years of compacted soil, rocks, bumps, and low spots and in need of leveling for a new concrete driveway. The second is a new construction site with bumps, holes, low spots, rocks, and other organic debris with a section designated for a yard.
The power rake is a no brainer for the first site. The carbide tips and fixed position setting will penetrate the hard surface and create a rough grade. And in any weather condition. You could also use a power rake on the second site. But you could use a soil cultivator like the Rotadairon to rough grade as well. The roller easily comes off and the screening tines can be lifted and secured so that only the blades are exposed. If you were to set the depth to about 2” or so below the surface you could loosen the soil, rough grade the surface and kick the large rocks and debris for later pickup.
The problem with both of these methods is that the rocks and debris will need to be picked up later using the traditional tools like a rake, bucket, good ol’ fashioned manual labor. And let’s not forget the extra time and expense to haul away and dump the debris. And this is where the Rotadairon has the advantage.
While the power rake does a fine job of leveling and kicking rocks and debris along the surface and creating a rough grade, the Rotadairon buries them. So not only can you create a rough grade and level with the Rotadairon, you can also bury the debris and save yourself the need of hauling it all away. If that wasn't enough to leave the power rake (and the extra crew members) at home, the Rotadairon will leave several inches (depending on model and site conditions) of rolled and mesh-dimpled topsoil AND compact it for a nearly flawless seedbed.
If additional compaction of the leveled surface fines is desired, you can purchase your Rotadairon with the optional cast iron or pneumatic packer roller. However, some skid steers and tractors may not be able to lift the machine with the additional weight of the packer roller. You will want to check the lift capacity of your power unit before you decide if that option is right for you.
The power rake is an ideal tool for speedy rough grading and leveling. But it’s really a single application kind of tool and you’ll get essentially the same results and more with the Rotadairon and then some. If you want one machine that can give you a rough grade, bury the debris, provide a leveled finish grade with several inches of compact fine soil on top the Rotadairon is the machine for you.
Here's a side by side comparison so you can assess for yourself which machine is best for you:
Landscape Prep Detail Rotadairon Power Rake
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Rototill / Pulverize / Cultivate soils
Mix soil amendments
Screen soils to 1/2” particles
Cut / Peel off sod, turf, and surface grasses
Dispose of sod, turf, and surface grasses
Dispose of surface and subsurface debris
Dispose of surface and subsurface rocks 4”-6” diameter
Rough grade and level
Finish grade and level
Eliminate need for finish raking
Pack and roll out surface irregularities
Dethatch lawn
*it’s important to remember that while both machines can till, pulverize, cultivate, and mix soil amendments, the Rotadairon does so at a working depth of 5.5” (14cm) to 9” deep and buries debris while the power rake will skim the surface or just below by a few inches and windrow rocks and debris.
