Rake Rolabar Rake Comments?

[3CW_Alberta]

Does any one have experience with the New Holland "Rolabar" rake? There is one coming up at an auction near me and I am in the market for a rake.

I could not find anything about them on this site. Kind of funny as when you read the NH promotional talk on their website they sound popular ... as follows: "Pick up more of your valuable hay with a genuine New Holland Rolabar® rake, the standard of haymaking excellence for more than 40 years. Don't settle for an imitation. Haymakers have purchased more Rolabar rakes than all other brands combined." /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Any comments using one on hilly land?

 

[JerryG]

Sounds like a John Deere add. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dixiedrifter]

My neighbor uses one, and I have a Deere Model 64.

I've raked about 60 acres so far with mine, in 6th gear and have yet to break a tooth. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

They are great IMO, but just don't have the coverage like the larger v-rakes.

But what you don't do in width, you make up for in ground speed.

 

[sweettractors]

Here in Kentucky, We use the older NH 55-56 and 256 and a few 258 NH rolabar rakes. Prices have came way down on the used rakes, since the Fingerwheel rakes have came on so strong. Our Local NH dealer sells about 1 or 2 New ones per year (Model #256) at around $4500 with Dolly wheels--older 55 and 56 should be bought at $300 to $700. Watch for play in the bearings at the bar ends and for cracks in the cast gearbox housings--Ken Sweet


Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New 8 Wheel V-Rakes with Hydraulic Fold $2250*

 

[nomad]

Whats the price of this NH Rolabar rake? Between$2000-3000. A month ago, I bought that new rake (see attachment) for less than $1000. If you want me to send you one unit, it will cost you less than $1500. This simple 3pt v-rake is better than the wheel rake with hydraulic lifts and wheels as 3pt v-rake has less components, meaning that you yourself can repair it easily by a weld or two. Also, much cheaper.

 

[thcri]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Whats the price of this NH Rolabar rake? Between$2000-3000. A month ago, I bought that new rake (see attachment) for less than $1000. If you want me to send you one unit, it will cost you less than $1500. This simple 3pt v-rake is better than the wheel rake with hydraulic lifts and wheels as 3pt v-rake has less components, meaning that you yourself can repair it easily by a weld or two. Also, much cheaper. )</font>


He could be talking Canadian Money??

murph

 

[sweettractors]

Nomad, Under most field conditions, I think a rake like that would a litle much for the 135 MF shown in his profile.--Ken Sweet


Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New First Choice Roto Tillers and Grooming Mowers in Orange Color*

 

[ThistleKop]

The Rolabars are excellent rakes. A proven design over many yrs. of use by hay producers. Have sort of fallen out of favor with the advent of the new styles, nevertheless still a good choice. I sold one in excellent condition this past spring for $1400. They got a bargain. A dolly wheel setup can easily be added for less than $300 dollars.

TK

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The New Holland Rolabar rake is one of the best rakes on the market. It will rake in any condition where as the wheel rakes are fair weather rakes and don't care for heavy windrows of wet hay. The rotary tine rakes are becoming very popular and most of the large farms use these now but a lot of people still keep a bar rake on the farm just in case something comes up. I would not hesitate to get a NH bar rake as they are simple to work on and are easy to get parts for if needed and will rake anything you want. I have a NH 256 right now and would like to get a rotary but if I find a good deal on a NH 216 first I will most likely jump on it.

 

[nomad]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nomad, Under most field conditions, I think a rake like that would a litle much for the 135 MF shown in his profile.--Ken Sweet
)</font>

No, not at all. MF 135 is many here and people are not having problem with using these 3pt v-rakes. V-rakes with hydraulic folds too are available, but they prefer these 3pt v-rakes which are simpler, easy to repair and much cheaper. Its price is 650 USD. (delivery cost to Alberta is 1200 USD if he gets one unit only. If he gets a container load, that is 30 units, then its price in Alberta will be 750 USD. )

 

[3CW_Alberta]

Thanks to all for your comments on the rakes. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I am off to the auction this morning and will see what the Rolabar rake is worth and if I am the guy bringing it home. I was at an auction sale yesterday and prices were running kind of on the high side ... good for the farmer selling thought! They need all the help they can get these days.

A few rakes sold at an auction yesterday - 4 wheel rakes in well used condition went for CDN$ 600 (US$ 450) and a double rotary rake went for CDN$ 1500 (US$ 1150). So I have a base line on what these are worth.

Here is a link to a photo of the Rolabar rake at the auction. Looks to be in pretty good condition in the picture: http://www.mcinenly.com/images/green/rake.jpg

I was not really in the market a large "V" rake as when our hay is wet, I want to rake single windrows and not combine them for baling. But I do appreciate your comments Nomad, as it is another option.

Time to go out and feed some horses before heading to the sale.

 

[ThistleKop]

If that is the original paint, the rake appears to have been kept quite well. Appears to be about the same condition of the one I sold this past spring (during hay season. This makes a difference) for $1400 USD. It appears to have OEM tires. Some folks will replace originals with used auto tires to save a few bucks if they have a tire problem. Also the teeth can be replaced with rubber mount teeth if the original type are
broken. Rubber mounted don't break quite as easily.

TK

 

[3CW_Alberta]

I attended the auction today but decided against the rake (NH 55). It needed some work with about 30 teeth broken, the gearbox lever didn't seem to want to engage (with hand pressure anyway) and at least one tire needed replacing.

The rest of it looked tight. It sold for CDN$ 1000 (US$ 760). I am sure it will make someone a good rake when they get it working.

I will continue to watch for a wheel rake and may even price a new one. For the money and the little raking that I will be doing, a wheel rake should more than meet my needs.

Thanks for everyone's help the past few days.