Hay rakes and tedders

[jwcinpk]

I'm in the market for a new v rake or rotary rake and a bigger tedder. The dealer I have done most of my purchasing from in the past only has Rhino brand and only 10 wheels. I hadn't heard much about Rhino rakes in the past so I thought I'd post here. Is Rhino a good brand rake? Are others of the same quality cheaper? How do rotary rakes compare in price and quality?
Next is tedders. I have a sitrex and have had 0 problems with it in 7 years. Is Rhino on the same quality level with sitrex?
I just want to get the best bang for my buck in atleast an 8 wheel v rake or comparable rotary and a good 4 basket tedder. Both would need to be hydraulic fold.

 

[cowski]

i have a sitrex 8 wheel rake and i like it.it is about 15 years old .i have overloaded it in real heavy hay so i would not want a 10 wheel.i think sitrex equipment is sold under several brands,rhino may be one.compare some pictures.

 

[slowzuki]

Just a warning about the tedders, I've been told that the cheap 2 basket tedders have no problems, but the 4 basket versions of the same are not as rugged.

 

[jwcinpk]

Just a warning about the tedders, I've been told that the cheap 2 basket tedders have no problems, but the 4 basket versions of the same are not as rugged.

Are you suggesting that Sitrex or Rhino is a cheap tedder? I've not priced either brand yet...wanted to hear from folks using them first.

 

[jwcinpk]

Also there are 2 different v rakes available...one is an ER and the other SWR...what's the difference?

 

[AKfish]

I've been looking at 4-basket tedders, too. I've got a 2-basket NH, that's a real beast! Too heavy, and it can really beat the leaves off of the hay!

Have a Kuhn rotary rake that is the cat's PJ's! Will move heavy, hay into big, tall windrows! No twisting or roping - and the air just moves!!! :thumbsup:

Got a quote for the HD model Kuhn; think it's the 5202 model - $7,100. They've got a 0% financing program right now, too.

Don't know alot about Sitrex or Rhino, though.

AKfish

 

[aczlan]

We have an older version of the Enorossi G4 4 basket tedder and it has worked well for our needs.

Aaron Z

 

[foreman Etexas]

I just got a new Vermeer WR20 8wheel rake $2500 ,been seeing alot of Kuhn lately,havent ever got to use anything other than the Vermeer...

 

[aczlan]

I just got a new Vermeer WR20 8wheel rake $2500 View attachment 264334,been seeing alot of Kuhn lately,havent ever got to use anything other than the Vermeer...

How does a wheel rake like that compare to a side delivery rake?
Been looking at adding a 2nd side delivery rake and a dual rake hitch, but that would run almost the same price as that wheel rake (minimum of $2000 to buy the rake and hitch), running one side delivery rake too slow at times whenw e need to merge several light rows.

Aaron Z

 

[foreman Etexas]

How does a wheel rake like that compare to a side delivery rake?
Been looking at adding a 2nd side delivery rake and a dual rake hitch, but that would run almost the same price as that wheel rake (minimum of $2000 to buy the rake and hitch), running one side delivery rake too slow at times whenw e need to merge several light rows.

Aaron Z

I can only go off what I have heard that the rake you are using get less dirt in the windrow. In years with several different folks baling are place have never seen anything but a wheel rake used,and when I baled years ago I only ran wheel rakes. I guess most use them cause its low priced and gets the job done but I would bet if gonna sell horse quality hay would wonna use something like you have or the big dollar pto rake. I found a vid [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeIoeGG4PEM&feature=player_detailpageeo[/ame]

 

[flusher]

My neighbor has 30 acres of irrigated alfalfa that he mows with a Hesston self-propelled windrower with conditioning rollers and then merges rows with a pair of 5-bar side delivery rakes. Works OK for him with minimal leaf loss in the hay product.

Don't need to ted around here since we only get 18" of annual rainfall and the humidity is very low during the mowing season (May-Oct).

 

[slowzuki]

The newer enrossi's are rebadged and sold as Hesston's. A dealer I use a lot had 2 used ones on the lot last summer, one enrossi, one hesston that looked nice so I asked for a price. He said no, I can't sell you one. What? He said I know your ground and how rough it is, this tedder won't last for you and he took me to the shop to show me the 2 in the shop and the pile of busted drive components for the outside baskets for all the ones they had serviced that summer.

He said the guys with rough ground can't keep the 4 basket version together long while the guys with really smooth ground make out just ok with them.

He pointed me at a new Pequea and said he's had better luck with them on rough ground. I priced it and a Claas but ended up buying a used NH163 (Kuhn) from a friend that I'm told now is also somewhat light. We'll see how it goes.

 

[jwcinpk]

The deeper I research this the more I see the same rake or tedder in different colors and brands. It seems Sitrex, M&W, and Rhino are all the same. Maybe others too.
I'm also seeing that some manufacturers have changed the design some to add better clearance. Most are calling them speed rakes.
I'll check around for stuff branded Pequea. Is the design shared by anyone esle? I like the Enrossi rakes and the Rhino SWR rake with the higher clearance.
Anyone with thoughts on those?

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

I just moved up from a side delivery to a V rake, Frontier WR1010. I love how fast I can rake over rough ground and it gets all the hay. Of course, it gets the dust and any debris on the ground as well. I had tried an M&W from a neighbor last year. That one allowed you to flip up the outer 5th wheel when the cut was heavy. The Frontier won't let be do that. However, the frontier is more stable on side hills when lifted up to make a sharp turn. The wheel rake makes great windrows without roping, so baling seems to go easier. I think I would try to find the high capacity type though, as I had a few problems with bunching under the arms in heavy cuttings. a local Deere dealer recommended me to take a look at the Ogden(sp) brand. He said they were built tough and a real sweet design. I'd also look for one that is easy to lower either side independently. The frontier can do it but not a simple deal.

 

[Grateful11]

Wife bought a new NH 256 Rollabar with Dolly wheels last year and really likes it. It's not as fast as some others but it doesn't pick up debris, dirt clods or rocks.

 

[jwcinpk]

Of all the designs I've seen to date I like the Enrossi rake the best. I'm thinking whichever brand I buy I need a high capacity design.
I'm seeing a lot of Tonutti tedders. Anyone with any comments on Tonutti or for that matter the Enrossi rake?

 

[aczlan]

Of all the designs I've seen to date I like the Enrossi rake the best. I'm thinking whichever brand I buy I need a high capacity design.
I'm seeing a lot of Tonutti tedders. Anyone with any comments on Tonutti or for that matter the Enrossi rake?

Are you asking about a wheel rake, or a tedder? I have a Enrossi 4 basket tedder and like it.

Aaron Z