combination tedder/rake

[jimg]

First, has anyone used a combination tedder/rake? What do you think of it (good/bad pts)? I've heard good things about them *but* nothing from someone who actually owns/operates it.

So far I've only dicovered one I can use (Kuhn GRS 25) w/ my TC24D. While Im sure the Kuhn is a great attachment the price seems really high ($4500). Does anyone know of other mfgs who make this attachment w/ a 15-20hp power requirement?

 

[HayDR]

The first combination unit was the PZ360 tedder/rake. This unit rakes to the left with the hay being deposited to the side of both baskets. This side delivery is helpful if a late cutting is thin and you want to turn windrows together. With the Kuhn GRS-25, this unit rakes to the center of both baskets. This creates a problem if you have thin hay because it will take 2 passes to combine 2 windrows. You can combine 2 raking swaths on a side delivery with one less pass down and back delivering the hay into one windrow.
The GRS-25 rakes 11'2" and tedders 9'10" and does a good job.
You will also find you can purchase a new 17' tedder for $2,000+ and a new 20' Wheel Rake for $1,800+ and save time with these larger single purpose units.

 

[poorboy]

Our fault with the combo units are the reliabilty. Our tedder is probably used more than the rake, but our rake is a have to work piece of machinery. If I have a break down on the tedder it will still cure altough it may cost me a day or so extra. We also prefer a side delivery rake because of the same reason. The raking tractor only has to pull around the rake so I don't have to rely on a pto. With the way the weather is around here and the amount of hay I put up with only two people I can't afford breakdowns since the closet dealer is 40 miles and usually don't have what you need anyways. This usually works for us but we are a little on the conserative side.

Patrick

 

[Woodbeef]

hey CCI,

You're wrong on the Kuhn. I have one,really good unit. It rakes to the left not the center.

Mine is pretty heavy not sure if a CUT could pick it up.

 

[HayDR]

Yep the GRS-25 will side delivery. I was wrong.
<font color="red"> From Kuhn's website </font>
<font color="blue"> GRS Tedder / Rake Combination
Three-point mounted - versatile operation - quick and easy to adjust - centre (GRS 24) or side (GRS 25) delivered swaths - height-adjustable wheels. </font>
If I wanted a rotary rake I still would purchase a rotary rake and a large tedder. The 17' tedder and a rotary rake can be purchased for less than $4,500. Rotary rakes are primarily used in Alfalfa but can be used with any type dry hay.

 

[nomad]

Cheapest hay rakes available on the net can be found on
http://www.agri-supply.com/catmain/2000015.htm

I'd recommend you to wait till the Spring season and bookmork Agri-Supply site - You don't know what new items will be available tomorrow from them - Another rotary rake too may be available from them in the Spring... Agri-Supply co. are the best sniffers of available and coming products in the world and of the implement market of the world. Since they also sell direct in retail end "same" items can't be purchased for lower prices than their retail stores.

 

[jimg]

Thanx for the replies...good information and food for more thought. CCI, you're right about cost. Its less $$$ to aquire 2 pieces of equipment (tedder and rake) than a combo. Too bad about that b/c hauling one attachment to the job site would be far easier. I suspect they wont be terribly popular b/c they seem only useful for smaller scale operations.

Poorboy, Yes, I did consider the consequences of a break down. Dont you think though if the equipment is maintained right along the probability of a break down is pretty small? I do understand your comment about being conservative though. In my case, since fields arent close the equipment, hauling one attachment is a huge asset.

 

[jimg]

Woodbeef,
How long have you had it? I assume you bought it new? Are you using it for both functions or as a tedder and pinch hit rake? How big is your field(s)?

BTW I dont think you should have trouble picking it b/c even my small tractor is rated for a bit more than half a ton on the 3pt.

I really liked the GRS24 but was told by my Kuhn dealer they dont make it anymore. Too bad b/c it would have been ideal for my situation despite the high cost.

 

[cowboydoc]

Dont you think though if the equipment is maintained right along the probability of a break down is pretty small?

I would say this is absolutely not true. Even the best maintained and brand new equipment fails. Out of all the farming that we do hay equipment we have to work on the most and we try and have fairly new equipment all the time that is meticulously maintained.

 

[jimg]

Your answer is a bit surprising. Whats your down time as a percentage of working time?

 

[HayDR]

As far as down time concerning a rake/tedder combination or the separate units, there is little down time. If you are purchasing new and the owner is the operator, I doubt you will have very little down time over the life of a unit. It is normal to have to replace some tines now and then but other than that with proper maintenance, we just do not see much down time with these units. If you run them into a fence post or a tree they will break. The technology varies little between brand to brand so purchase one you are comfortable with and put the hay in the windrow.

 

[Bird]

Jimg, Cowboydoc's answer doesn't surprise me in the least. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Most of my hay work was done with a new Gehl haybine and baler and an old New Holland rake, and we spent a lot of time working on all of them. And another neighbor whose primary occupation is hay said he buys a new John Deere baler every two years because otherwise he'd have too much downtime. And even never having one over 2 years old, he and/or the dealer still spend quite a bit of time on repairs.

 

[jimg]

Hi Bird,
Can understand about the baler and mower but not the rake. They seem to be very simple (as are tedders) and its surprising they had any significant down time. What sorts of work did you do on the rake other than, as CCI said, change out teeth?

 

[Bird]

Jim, the rake was old and ground driven, so I can't say how much work would be required on newer rakes. But on that old one, I'm not sure how many bearings we replaced, and u-joints, but I know it was several. And I was surprised at how much we had to work on the baler and haybine.

 

[cowboydoc]

If you're just talking about the rake then no there isn't much downtime with them. I thought you were talking about haying equipment in general. I had to repair my wheel rake twice last year and my side delivery rake once. On the wheel rake I hit a gopher hole and bent the one wheel assembly, the second repair was a bearing. The side delivery rake the on/off pull latch got froze up.

 

[jimg]

OK, good, that makes more sense to me. This thread is about combo tedders/rakes so that was the context I was using for my comment. (Im not surprised the baler and mower need constant attention.) About how long did you have the rake when it needed the bearing? Was this a permanently sealed type or one needing grease?

 

[jimg]

Hi Bird,
As for repair on mowers and balers Im not surprised. They seem to always be wanting something whether its adjusting or repair. In fact its amazing to me that balers even work! Last year on first cut my friends baler quit w/ an acre+ still to bale. It turns out the knotter came all apart and made somewhat of a mess. While Ive never seen one up close I can only imagine how complex it is. He said it was quite involved to fix. Anyway, at this point I dont have the time or money for a baler or mower.

 

[Woodbeef]

I've had it since 2000. No,I bought it used. Got two of them actually,one for parts. I've only needed a tire. I only rake with it so far. Hmmm.....you say it only weighs 1000 lbs???? Lets put it this way I can feel it when I pick it up with a 75 hp mfd cabbed,loader tractor.....

 

[jimg]

One for parts? Are they that hard to get in your area? Have you tryed it at all for tedding? Usually combo machines are a compromise and I was curious to know if it did both tasks well.

No, the Kuhn website says 800+ pounds. My 3pt can lift (well the books says it can lift) about 1265 pounds 24" aft of the hitch.

 

[Woodbeef]

I've heard that story too about being a half way machine in both cases. But I see no problems with the way it rakes. I don't ted so I can not answer you on that fact. I wanted a 3pth rotary rake,and this one was available in my limited price range. After I made the deal the dealer through in the other one for free(I guess because he was not a Kuhn dealer he did not need it around). No, parts are readily available around here. Just never needed any yet,except for a flat tire.