Hay rakes and tedders

[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