Hay rakes

[xmariner]

I know this is a matter of personal preference but I'd like to "hear" your thoughts on wheel hay rakes vs rotary rakes. I realize that wheel rakes can come in very large configurations for obvious reasons.

We hay between 8 and 15 acres so it's small enough to consider both.

Thanks

 

[foreman Etexas]

What you growing? What type rotary rake you looking at? I have the WR22 and wish would have gotten the Kuhn speed rake or like.

 

[LukeD]

I learned the hard way that you REALLY have to look at the potential for breakdowns. Get the most simple, high quality tool that you can afford. I started with a rolabar rake, and I've sunk a good bit into it, just in u-joints and rubber teeth. And still had it fail while taking, with a storm coming. I hear that the rotary rake doubles as a tedder. While it sounds like a good idea, I think it's better to have that as 2 separate tools; if I'm using my tedder and it breaks, I still have my rake to finish up the job.

 

[bjr]

I've never had a "wheel rake", but did own a very old IH No. 5 side delivery and that thing roped the hay. I bought a Morra rotary from Agri-supply and really like the fluffy wind rows it made. I tried to ted with it and it still gpt kinda of a wind rowed. My vote is for the rotary rakes. bjr

 

[joeu235]

We use a wheel rake on 70 acres of coastal bermuda hay. JD 10 wheel rake which is a really a Tonutti. Simple and inexpensive piece of equipment.

 

[RPW]

I'm using a IH16. Doesn't seem to rope the hay. Had to replace a couple of bearings and some teeth but otherwise pretty good rake

 

[Texasmark]

I like the parallel bar like the JD 600 series. Just work for me regardless of the crop. However, I don't do the work that makes the wheel rakes popular so you have to factor that into my answer too.

 

[bulldog69]

I've always been curious about a rotary rake. I got the chance to bale behind one and hated it. I'm used to a v-rake which makes the windrow the same width my baler is so I don't have to drunk bale, I just follow the windrow. The rotary rake did a good job as far as cleaning the ground but made a narrow windrow that required side to side baling.

My opinion the only rake to have is a v-rake.

 

[farmer2009]

I've only been around a to rolabar rake and a wheeled v-rake. The v-rake can be set for baler pickup width and takes the stress off the baler driver. Makes a nice fluffy windrow. The rolabar (NH & IH) did good jobs but seamed to leave a lot unless you really run the teeth in the dirt. Even with no missing teeth. Both rakes seamed to rope the hay. NH not as bad but they do. 256 & 258. Plus with the rolabar to rake doubles for a round baler you have to out run the baler. With the v-rake it's pass for pass.

 

[Tx Jim]

With the v-rake it's pass for pass.

Except with my 14 wheel rake covering three 9 ft swaths I make less passes as I gain a round every 2 rounds that rake/baler make.