2016 Hay season started for me.

[cat fever]

I have cut my field and it looks great. To early to estimate how much I'll get, but it'll be more than I ever have.:thumbsup:

Also got my hay rake which I will be using tonight.

 

[Tx Jim]

Cat fever
FYI the rake wheels on the rake in your photo has the rake wheels installed incorrectly. The RH wheels are on the left and LH wheels are on the right. The center round piece of metal is intended to be behind the teeth to give the teeth support. It's been since '89 since I raked with a 3 pt wheel rake and I have no desire to rake with one again as I rake too many odd shaped fields.

 

[DT86]

Cat fever
FYI the rake wheels on the rake in your photo has the rake wheels installed incorrectly. The RH wheels are on the left and LH wheels are on the right. The center round piece of metal is intended to be behind the teeth to give the teeth support. It's been since '89 since I raked with a 3 pt wheel rake and I have no desire to rake with one again as I rake too many odd shaped fields.

Look again.

Edit, I thought you were saying the teeth were pointed wrong. You are correct about the placement. Carry on.

 

[cat fever]

Cat fever
FYI the rake wheels on the rake in your photo has the rake wheels installed incorrectly. The RH wheels are on the left and LH wheels are on the right. The center round piece of metal is intended to be behind the teeth to give the teeth support. It's been since '89 since I raked with a 3 pt wheel rake and I have no desire to rake with one again as I rake too many odd shaped fields.

I've read your profile and respect your opinion. Are you sure? Because I called Befco while putting them on to make sure I got it right. But the guy on the phone could have told me wrong.

 

[cat fever]

TX Jim,
Thank you for the heads up. After going out and looking it made perfect sense what you were saying. I had my wife rotate them.:laughing:

Now I'm going to go out and turn the hay. And my wife said to double check her work.

 

[farmer2009]

Cat. Nice of equipment you are gathering. What model cutter?

I also got a new rake this year. NH 1022 Procart. Sure beats the **** out of a NH256.

 

[cat fever]

I'm using a New Holland model 488 (I think???) 9' Haybine. It's a little old but after some minor work it performs great.


That's a really nice rake!! I wanted a carted rake but could not justify the extra cost for my little hay operation. The one I have works good but next year I will be cutting my field a little different to make raking easier.

 

[Tx Jim]

TX Jim,
Thank you for the heads up. After going out and looking it made perfect sense what you were saying. I had my wife rotate them.:laughing:

Now I'm going to go out and turn the hay. And my wife said to double check her work.

You're welcome. I sometimes make mistakes(Oldtimers disease) but I strive very hard to give correct information similar to what Davey Crockett stated "Be sure you're right & then go ahead"!
Jim

 

[cat fever]

After looking at it and switching them I raked, as you can see from the pictures it worked out great. My rows are a solid 4' wide and 18" deep.
So thank you very much.

I can see what you were saying about a V rake and odd shaped fields. Next year I will be cutting straight lines even though it might take a little longer.

 

[cat fever]

I have a question about how my field grew; while cutting I could see where some areas were much taller than other areas. It was the same thickness/density throughout. It was all rain water so that was equal. Not sure if it didn't get fertilized evenly, or if maybe the seeds didn't get planted as deep or in good soil contact.
Any thoughts out there from the experienced growers?