Rake Is my Kuhn way overpriced

[lacamo]

In 2008, I bought a Kuhn GA4120TH rotary rake from a local dealer. It's an awesome rake, but it turned out that much of my hay is cut from small, odd-shaped fields with lots of tight corners. A 13'5" trailed rake is great on the straightaways but a major pita at the ends. A slightly narrower, 3ph version is what I've been looking at, and need to sell the 4120. I put it on craigslist a couple of times for $600 less than I paid for it and $1000 less than the current dealer quoted price, and received no inquiries. Lowered it a couple of hundred and still nothing. With the scarcity of used haying equipment around here, I thought I'd get some nibbles at least. How much do these things depreciate? Am I way overpriced or is everyone broke?

 

[aczlan]

I would guess that people have not really started looking for hay equipment yet and as such, you haven't gotten any nibbles.


Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will never buy anything used unless I can get it for 60% or less the new cost. That's just me. If I can not get it for that I just buy new. I find I am money ahead.

Chris

 

[lacamo]

I feel pretty much the same way -- that's why I bought this new. The 3ph model I'm looking at is priced about 65% the cost of a new one and, while more useful for me, is much less of a rake. Thought I'd come out of this with a least a few bucks in my pocket...

 

[civesnedfield]

In 2008, I bought a Kuhn GA4120TH rotary rake from a local dealer. It's an awesome rake, but it turned out that much of my hay is cut from small, odd-shaped fields with lots of tight corners. A 13'5" trailed rake is great on the straightaways but a major pita at the ends. A slightly narrower, 3ph version is what I've been looking at, and need to sell the 4120. I put it on craigslist a couple of times for $600 less than I paid for it and $1000 less than the current dealer quoted price, and received no inquiries. Lowered it a couple of hundred and still nothing. With the scarcity of used haying equipment around here, I thought I'd get some nibbles at least. How much do these things depreciate? Am I way overpriced or is everyone broke?

I agree with the other poster that most of the people looking for hay equipment haven't really started yet. Personally I started two months go.As far as nibbles. I can imagine what the price of your rake is.(Actually just found your add on CL. I had looked at it before) I would love to own a rotary rake. I have used one and I think they are great, BUT due to the economy and current situation I thought the rotary rake was a luxury, and went with a reasonably priced NH 256.

 

[lacamo]

My baler cannot handle very wet grass, so I felt a rotary rake would be better since it makes tall fluffy windrows that quickens the drying process. This can be critical here in the soggy northeast. Also, my own field has lots of clover and the rotary rake is supposed to cause less leaf shatter if the speed is right. It did a great job last year: the forage tested in at 13.8% CP, which means that I did manage to bale the leaves. My main motivation for the trailed unit was ease of attachment (my disk mower is a 3ph model and it's a major pain); I didn't realize just how much space I'd need at the corners and that the tines don't clear the windrows when in the up position. I've agreed to cut neighbors' fields and keep the hay: mostly 3+ acre "lawns" - raking is the most time-consuming part.