what picks hay up better

[bmaverick]

Wheel rakes can break other than just fatigue or not having the ground clearence set right. Gopher holes, a down log, a soft spot in the ground, and wham, the wheel and/or fingers get all messed up. As for rotary types, the fingers just flex out of the way and spring back to the correct position. Yes, a single or dual width rotary would require many sweeps on a large mid-western fiesld, but there are just as many rotary units with 4, 6, and 8 that cover the same width as a wheel rake.

 

[Tx Jim]

Wheel rakes can break other than just fatigue or not having the ground clearence set right. Gopher holes, a down log, a soft spot in the ground, and wham, the wheel and/or fingers get all messed up. As for rotary types, the fingers just flex out of the way and spring back to the correct position. Yes, a single or dual width rotary would require many sweeps on a large mid-western fiesld, but there are just as many rotary units with 4, 6, and 8 that cover the same width as a wheel rake.

As I previously stated wheel rake teeth failure depends a lot on amount of ground pressure teeth are subjected to The only time I've had a rake wheel bent is from my elderly rake operator hit an obstruction such as a rd bale,fence post or tree. BTW he's 79 yrs YOUNG,been raking for me for over 15 yrs and I'll match his raking ability against a lot of younger people.. So I guess in your opinion a rotary rake doesn't break teeth and just glides over logs and rocks. I suppose rotary rake frames and gearboxes never fail either. How much does a rotary rake cost that will rake 28 ft? I'll bet a lot more than a wheel rake of the same raking width. The Krone my neighbor used costs $30,000. My H&S Hi-cap cost $9,000 back in 2002 and has raked 1000's of acres.

 

[hobbyhillstables]

I love my rotary rake, the wheel rakes work good but I found they pick up stuff that I don't want to.

 

[TractorToolsDirect]

There is another option for raking that is common in Europe, but not as well known here: a belt rake. Belt rakes (also called power rakes) make a fluffy windrow like a rotary rake, but are much more compact and are easier to use. They are also very durable and simple in design. For those who are in a region where a tedder is only marginally needed, they do a good job as a tedder, and can switch back and forth very easily (unlike some combo machines). In the US you can find Molon power rakes. They are a quality Italian brand.

 

[Bigfoot62]

You asked: "What picks up hay better?"

Well, here you go. This is the absolute best:
R2800 | Rakes | Equipment | Vermeer

I've used one before and loved it. The only reason that I don't have one is the price. About $25K new.

 

[bmaverick]

I love my rotary rake, the wheel rakes work good but I found they pick up stuff that I don't want to.

Exactly. I love them too. Seen them in action and it got me hooked in a good way.

If the field land is really flat, been growing hay grass for years and is kept free from obstructions, a hay rake could be an answer. That works for the guy down there in TX as he stated. Up in TN, from the central to the east, I would not use a hay rake on the sloping fields nor on the soft ground. After the Spring rains up here, fields work up rock and bolders. A rotary works really well to the terrain conditions that are not flat by leaving behind the rocks and still keep working. A wheel rake for the most part is terrain driven and not PTO driven. Thus, less is picked up on the ends turning while the tractor speed is slowed. A rotary is PTO driven. With the tractors that have multi-speed PTO's, running a rotary at 684 vs 504 helps by move things along nicely.

If I could find a unit like this here in the US, it would be ideal for my use.
Enorossi Windrow Rotary Rake GF 350 ｫ Agri Market Insight & Access Ltd -AMIA Ltd, Agri Machinery, Agricultural Machinery Dealerships, Agri Translation Services, Enorossi, Enorossi Parts UK, Agri Marketing, Hay Tedders, Mowers, Balers, Bale Processors

 

[Tx Jim]

You asked: "What picks up hay better?"

Well, here you go. This is the absolute best:
R2800 | Rakes | Equipment | Vermeer
I've used one before and loved it. The only reason that I don't have one is the price. About $25K new.

Bigfoot62
I bought a new Vermeer R23 back in the early 90's. Moving it from transport to raking position & vice-verse gets old if you have smaller fields. Plus running the orbit motors gets the tractor hyd oil HOT enough one needs gloves to unhook hyd hoses if desired to do so shortly after raking for several hours. My rake got to where I couldn't keep brgs in it although I know brgs have since been improved.

 

[Tx Jim]

bmaverick
That rake might be fine for a small operation but I'd hate to bale 5 or 6 thousand rd bales following it. Do you have a photo or video of it raking hay?

 

[aczlan]

If I could find a unit like this here in the US, it would be ideal for my use.
Enorossi Windrow Rotary Rake GF 350 ｫ Agri Market Insight & Access Ltd -AMIA Ltd, Agri Machinery, Agricultural Machinery Dealerships, Agri Translation Services, Enorossi, Enorossi Parts UK, Agri Marketing, Hay Tedders, Mowers, Balers, Bale Processors

Something like the Kuhn GA-300: GA 300 GM - Rotary Rakes, Wheel Rakes & Mergers - KUHN North America.com
Or the Enorossi RR320-9: Beaver Valley Supply Company - Enorossi Rotary Hay Rake/Windrow Turner

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

bmaverick
That rake might be fine for a small operation but I'd hate to bale 5 or 6 thousand rd bales following it. Do you have a photo or video of it raking hay?

They make a double wheel version of that one:

Aaron Z