3 point vs trailed rotary rake

[870wing]

Hello All,
I'm looking at buying either a Krone, Kuhn or Pequea single rotor rake. I would like to know what the difference is between a 3 point attachment rake vs a trailed rake? Also, does the front support wheel make a difference? Any help would be appreciated.

Sincerely yours

870Wing

 

[Ed of all trades]

I made hay for years but never with a rotary rake. I have used 3 point and trailed rakes and there are advantages to both. the trailed rake Is easy and quick to hook up, and the 3 point is easy to get out of the field. Just lift it up over the windrows. I like the trailed type, but that is just my idea. I know from working at a dealer ship that sold Krone we sold a lot of trailed type and almost no 3 point. Ed

 

[powerscol]

Next year I will be gettting the 3pt Kuhn (3201) - its similar to the GA 300 but you can take the arms off. I'm using a 3pt roll bar now (ford 503) and pick it up to get over the windrows. That's important to me as I run in small fields.

Hope this helps.

 

[kidr]

i use a trailed attached to a draw bar so I can raise or lower from the tractor seat. This way I can cross windrows with no problem.

 

[powerscol]

Please pardon this question. If it is attached to the draw bar, how do you raise it and lower it from the seat. Or is the draw bar attached to the 3 pt arms and you have the top link connected some way. Would be great to see a picture of how this work for you.

The reason I ask is on my tedder I need to get out of the seat to raise it, or just run it to the gate as I usually do, then raise it for transport.

 

[longgun]

I bought a Kuhn GA4220TH this spring. It is one of Kuhn's trailed rotary rakes. I was considering one of the 3 pt versions, but after researching it, talking to the Kuhn ditrict rep, and talking to another farmer who had used one and switched to the 4220 TH, I went with it as well. Best hay decision I have made. The 3 points work well if your ground is pretty level, otherwise I would recommend considering a trailed version. I have the boogey axle on mine and it makes a significant difference if you are in rolling/uneven ground or the hay is really heavy. The rake saves 24-36 hours drying time and makes consistent, fluffy windrows that are perfect for a square baler. I double them up for round bales. The rake raises pretty high and is easy to work with in tight areas.

 

[kidr]

Please pardon this question. If it is attached to the draw bar, how do you raise it and lower it from the seat. Or is the draw bar attached to the 3 pt arms and you have the top link connected some way. Would be great to see a picture of how this work for you.

The reason I ask is on my tedder I need to get out of the seat to raise it, or just run it to the gate as I usually do, then raise it for transport.

Yes a draw bar attached to the 3pt. I don't lift the entire rake, just lift until the tines clear the windrows. The wheels stay on the ground. It's a ground driven rake.

 

[Trillium Farm]

Hello All, I'm looking at buying either a Krone, Kuhn or Pequea single rotor rake. I would like to know what the difference is between a 3 point attachment rake vs a trailed rake? Also, does the front support wheel make a difference? Any help would be appreciated.Sincerely yours 870Wing

As others have said 3pt better in small fields and even ground, trailed better in larger field and uneven ground especially with the front wheel (a must imo)

 

[powerscol]

Thanks - everything I do is pretty level. Learned something new today......... a plus in my book as at my age I forget a lot.

 

[870wing]

Thank you to all that have responded. The comments have been very useful.

I have a combination of fields that range in size from 1 acre to 30 acres. The fields are mainly rolling or on hillsides. With the information supplied I will probably go with a 13 or 15 foot working width single rotor trailed rake with the front wheel. This will let me make it through the gates and gives me a large enough coverage that I won't be out in the field all day.

Do you consider the 3 brands (Krone, Kuhn or Pequea) to be equal in quality and user friendliness?

Take care

870Wing

 

[ruffdog]

Neighbor has a Kuhn pulled by the drawbar. He uses his small Ferguson (8n) to rake with and does small fields. I'm not sure if the ground is level enough for the 3pt version as it doesn't take much of a bump or hole to upset a 3pt height. He rakes at a pretty good speed and the drawbar Kuhn doesn't bounce around either. The rake gets used at other farms too (small squares for horses) and gets pulled by a truck.

 

[powerscol]

Krone and Kuhn seem to be the only brands around here, but that could be because there are only 2 dealers that are any good within 100 miles.

 

[Tx Jim]

IMHO I'll take a towed implement over a 3 pt hitch model any day. Towed is normally easier to attach and will follow the terrain better than 3 pt. I rake fields as small as an 2 acres with my 14 wheel H&S rake with no problems.

 

[ruffdog]

Looking at the 2 small Kuhn models show both ride on tires while raking. The 3pt would swing while the towed would follow the tractor. The towed model could be easily moved by truck while the 3pt model can be lifted. Which of the differences is most important? If I had to use one all the time I guess I like towed because it doesn't affect the tractor turning. Raking is done at higher ground speeds and the weight hanging out the back would be felt on the turns.

 

[ruffdog]

Quality? I did repair the neighbor's small towed Kuhn. He loaned it to a person that tied the rake arms for transport then turned the pto on. The ring gear got tore up. The new ring gear was shipped quickly and took about a day to repair. It was mostly disassembled to do the repair and it seemed to be made quite well.

 

[870wing]

Thank you for the feedback. I have the Krone and Kuhn dealer looking for good condition used single rotary towed raked. Hopefully they will be able to find one by spring. Unfortunately with the drop in value of the Canadian dollor it's making the purchase of a new rake from the USA or Europe unrealistic. Todays rate USA $1 USA dollar costs $1.33 cad. $1 euro costs $1.43 cad. That means a new rake is costing me an extra 33% to 43% just for the exchange rate (OUCH!)

Take care

870wing