Looking at New Hay Rake

[ALauer]

Hello All,
I was looking for recommendations on a hay rake. I currently have an H&S 14/16 Wheel Rake. The H&S is difficult to get down my roads and out of my barn. I am looking for a new wheel rake, hopefully a folding one. I pull it with a Massey Ferguson 4253, 2wd Tractor. I am not interested in windrower style rakes. Any Suggestions?

 

[Tx Jim]

Having been a H&S Hi-cap 14 wheel rake owner since '02 that has raked 1000's upon 1000's of acres with this rake I'm confused. What's a 14/16 wheel rake? It's either a 14 or 16 wheel. What's the problem pulling this rake down the road? Sure the rear wheels of rake are a long way behind tractor but spread out rake will rake a lot of feet of hay ground. I've had rake drivers from an 80 yr old gentleman to 16 yr old boys that could pull my rake down the road & in fields with no problems. Down here where I live a man manufacturer's a kit to pull rd baler behind a H&S rake in a single pass. Now you're talking about LOONG!

 

[ALauer]

It is a 16 wheel rake. We always just called it the 14/16. The problem is: there are narrow roads with lots of sharp turns and the rake frame is really long. I also have to cross a pretty big ditch/creek (depending on weather) and it is incredibly difficult with the Massey. I also have to make a sharp turn right as I come in a 16ft wide gate and I cant hardly make the turn. It is a FANTASTIC hay rake but I need something smaller for my operation.

 

[ALauer]

Once,(on my previous rake) I was coming around a sharp turn in the Massey and there was a post on the right hand side. The Massey came around the turn just fine. The rake , on the other hand, the side wheel caught the post, snapped the pin that holds the bar, that holds the sides together. Then, the right side started to bend backward. I cut the engine and hopped out of the seat. We had to use my Ford Backhoe to pull it back. We payed a hauler to just tow it away with a semi truck. I bought a new rake 2 years ago and just need to get rid of it and buy something a bit smaller.

 

[bjr]

I do real small fields and bought a 3pt RM280 rotary rake from Agri-Supply, just for all the reasons you mentioned. I think it rakes 'bout 9'. You can the rake arms off and store them on the machine vertically and then it's narrower than the tractor. I don't know what you mean when you say your not interested in a windrow type rake as I thought that was the purpose of all hay rakes to get the hay in a windrow to be able to bale?

 

[PROFarms]

I do real small fields and bought a 3pt RM280 rotary rake from Agri-Supply, just for all the reasons you mentioned. I think it rakes 'bout 9'. You can the rake arms off and store them on the machine vertically and then it's narrower than the tractor. I don't know what you mean when you say your not interested in a windrow type rake as I thought that was the purpose of all hay rakes to get the hay in a windrow to be able to bale?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think what the OP meant by windrow type rake is the rotary type that you mention. In my opinion they are good if doing less than 30 acres but seeing you have a 16 wheel rake I'm assuming you do significantly more than 30 acres every year, hence why a wheel take may be better suited for his operation? That's just my 2 cents

 

[ALauer]

PROFarms, You are 100% Correct. I am doing at least 400 acres of hay per summer. I do 2 or 3 cuttings per year. The windrower style rakes I find to break way too easily. I personally am a mechanic and have done tons of work to these types of rakes. I need a smaller wheel rake because of roads and gateways. I just cant fit in as many places with that long rake with a long frame. I had rather spend more time in the fields raking, than spend time on the road, trying to fit in the gates, replacing fence posts and fence, fixing the rake, buying new gates because I hit them and bent the crap out of them. I just need a smaller rake.

 

[kthompson]

Admit know little on hay rakes unless we talk the old mule drawn ones..but I looked at the web site for that company and it looks to me like the they are showing their 14 wheel rake in length ways for transport. Is that a different model than yours? Reading your post I understand yours is being pulled side ways and not length ways, is that correct? Is there a reasonable option to fix it where you could pull it length ways for transport?

I am considering moving from crop to hay is reason asking.

 

[Timm250]

Look at the Kuhn Speed rake. I have the SR112, 12 wheel and really like it.

 

[ALauer]

Mine is being pulled length ways. Its too long to make turns.