Tedder-rakes?

[Sinkmore]

I am just starting in the bermuda hay-growing business. What experience have you had with equipment advertised as a tedder-rake? What limitations on tedding? What limitations on raking?

Tomorrow, I have an opportunity to bid on a Kuhn GA 300 gm rotary rake. It looks as if it might do a credible job at fluffing hay, if you removed the "windrow fence". Opinions, anyone? Also, do you think I would have any trouble operating it with a Farmtrac 360 DTC (33 hp@PTO, 3000 lb 3pt lift capacity,FEL for counterweight)?

 

[JasG]

I am just starting in the bermuda hay-growing business. What experience have you had with equipment advertised as a tedder-rake? What limitations on tedding? What limitations on raking?

Tomorrow, I have an opportunity to bid on a Kuhn GA 300 gm rotary rake. It looks as if it might do a credible job at fluffing hay, if you removed the "windrow fence". Opinions, anyone? Also, do you think I would have any trouble operating it with a Farmtrac 360 DTC (33 hp@PTO, 3000 lb 3pt lift capacity,FEL for counterweight)?

I have not seen a good tedder rake combo that works good at either raking or tedding. There may be something out there I just have not seen it and I don't know all of the machines out.

A friend I help with haying has a Kuhn rake similar to the one listed. Great rake, and we have both come to find that the rotary style rake does get the hay dryer faster. I would not say it would work very good as a tedder with the curtain removed. I know someone who did try that and it just clumped the hay together. Looked like a heavy wind hit the field and blew the hay together.

As far as the tractor I would think that 33 hp would be more than enough, they don't take a lot to run.

 

[bigbull338]

personally i dont like tedders or tedder rake combos.being here in texas weve never had a use for a tedder.i think you would be better off getting a wheel rake.

 

[AKfish]

I am just starting in the bermuda hay-growing business. What experience have you had with equipment advertised as a tedder-rake? What limitations on tedding? What limitations on raking?

Tomorrow, I have an opportunity to bid on a Kuhn GA 300 gm rotary rake. It looks as if it might do a credible job at fluffing hay, if you removed the "windrow fence". Opinions, anyone? Also, do you think I would have any trouble operating it with a Farmtrac 360 DTC (33 hp@PTO, 3000 lb 3pt lift capacity,FEL for counterweight)?

I have both... the Kuhn 300 and a NH 254 combo. The Kuhn is a great rake, excellent for higher, fluffier windrows. No roping or twisting of hay together (and leaving green clumps) so, the hay feeds very well into the baler. Have to be careful when you sweep more than 3 cutter swaths together as the heavy, wet hay can bend the tine arms... experience can be a real b!tch..

The NH is ok. It's not a real good rake and it's not a real good tedder. But, it will do either in a pinch. It's probably a better tedder than a rake and that's because of the nylon rollers that are engaged when it's set up as a rake and not used when it's set up as a tedder. Those nylon roller (balls) tend to wear, crack and break with damage to the center mechanism when they fail. So, I have it set up; more or less permanently - as a tedder. But, it tends to really throw the hay and is a bit too aggressive on how it contacts the hay and; IMO, results in greater leaf loss.

I've been in "Tedder Lust" for a number of year's now... looking at a new, hydraulic-fold 4 basket tedder. But, another tractor and/or a round baler has more priority in the budget!

AKfish

 

[CliffordK]

Most people around here are using tedders, mainly to just windrow, and not to roll the hay. Most two basket tedders can do a good job at windrowing, and I assume one can make them spread the hay if one wants.

I talked to someone that had a large two basket tedder. The one thing he mentioned was that one must make sure that there is overlap between the two baskets.

Likewise.
With the GA300, you will have to make sure that you aren't laying your windrow on top of hay that wasn't raked.

 

[AKfish]

I am just starting in the bermuda hay-growing business. What experience have you had with equipment advertised as a tedder-rake? What limitations on tedding? What limitations on raking?

Tomorrow, I have an opportunity to bid on a Kuhn GA 300 gm rotary rake. It looks as if it might do a credible job at fluffing hay, if you removed the "windrow fence". Opinions, anyone? Also, do you think I would have any trouble operating it with a Farmtrac 360 DTC (33 hp@PTO, 3000 lb 3pt lift capacity,FEL for counterweight)?

No problem with your tractor and the rake (or a combo) - IMO. I rake (and tedd) with my JD110, 33hp @ pto , 2,500lb 3pt lift capacity and it does just fine.

AKfish

 

[tessiers]

I rake and ted with an old ford N series, under 30 hp I think. The rake/tedder I had was a fahr and it was not very good at either task, but it was well used when I got it. Tedded OK but you had to run the PTO way fast, left 2 narrow swaths un-touched, when raking it left a lot of hay behind, probably not as bad as I remember at either. I now use a bar rake and 4 basket tonutti tedder and I am much happier.