Hay Rakes - Making an Antique Work and New Rotary

[burnetma]

All,

I have two old David Bradley Side Delivery hay rakes that I have been trying to use to make hay. The rake has three real issues. One it likes to slide down side hills. Two it tends to rope the hay. Three it balls the hay badly if it is heavy. Any suggestions for improving the operation of this antique?

With all of the problems I am having with the DB, I am seriously considering a modern rotary rake. I have read the literature on Kuhn and Pequea, but recently came across Morra rakes. The Morra is ~1/2 the price of a Pequea and ~1/10 the price of a Kuhn. I am only working 10 acres for my own horses, so it is hard to justify too big of an investment. Anybody have any feedback on these units?

Thank you in advance.
Mark

 

[burnetma]

All,

I have two old David Bradley Side Delivery hay rakes that I have been trying to use to make hay. The rake has three real issues. One it likes to slide down side hills. Two it tends to rope the hay. Three it balls the hay badly if it is heavy. Any suggestions for improving the operation of this antique?

With all of the problems I am having with the DB, I am seriously considering a modern rotary rake. I have read the literature on Kuhn and Pequea, but recently came across Morra rakes. The Morra is ~1/2 the price of a Pequea and ~1/10 the price of a Kuhn. I am only working 10 acres for my own horses, so it is hard to justify too big of an investment. Anybody have any feedback on these units?

Thank you in advance.
Mark

 

[WhyNot]

For years the farm where I work part time used tandem side delivery rakes on about 200 acres of hay to make what amounted to be one big rope of hay. Then about 6 years ago they switched to a left and a right side delivery with a hitch that still allowed one tractor to double windrow but instead of one giant rope now you had 2 med. sized ropes side by side. Now this winter the boss was at an auction and purchased a large wheel rake and after one cutting he is convinced that it is the way to go from what I see on the net the prices of new ones are not that bad you might want to look into one.

 

[WhyNot]

For years the farm where I work part time used tandem side delivery rakes on about 200 acres of hay to make what amounted to be one big rope of hay. Then about 6 years ago they switched to a left and a right side delivery with a hitch that still allowed one tractor to double windrow but instead of one giant rope now you had 2 med. sized ropes side by side. Now this winter the boss was at an auction and purchased a large wheel rake and after one cutting he is convinced that it is the way to go from what I see on the net the prices of new ones are not that bad you might want to look into one.

 

[JESSE1]

I used a New Holland side delivery rake for nearly 25 years before buying a new Kuhn 110 Speedrake last year. It's cut my raking time by over 1/2 and does an excellent job of raking.

 

[JESSE1]

I used a New Holland side delivery rake for nearly 25 years before buying a new Kuhn 110 Speedrake last year. It's cut my raking time by over 1/2 and does an excellent job of raking.

 

[plowrup]

I'm a Kuhn Dealer, and I would have to say they are a good Rake, however, stay away from ones that are over 4 Years old as they had a Gearbox upgrade that is very good (look at the GA300GM). I have also thought about being a Vicon Dealer (they seem to be constructed very well, just don't have the ease of adjustment of the Kuhn).

You are not alone in your roping problems using a basket Rake-we have experienced it here even with a well adjusted Rake, although in the proper conditions they can still do a great job-

 

[plowrup]

I'm a Kuhn Dealer, and I would have to say they are a good Rake, however, stay away from ones that are over 4 Years old as they had a Gearbox upgrade that is very good (look at the GA300GM). I have also thought about being a Vicon Dealer (they seem to be constructed very well, just don't have the ease of adjustment of the Kuhn).

You are not alone in your roping problems using a basket Rake-we have experienced it here even with a well adjusted Rake, although in the proper conditions they can still do a great job-

 

[barticus73]

Whats the problem with roping hay?

 

[barticus73]

Whats the problem with roping hay?

 

[jgh]

20060607

I believe it has to do with not allowing the hay to dry properly, and too tight a rope can cause it to be too "concentrated" to go evenly into the baler, esp older square balers. I use a 258 NH and an old 273 baler, but have not had bad problems in one season so far.

 

[jgh]

20060607

I believe it has to do with not allowing the hay to dry properly, and too tight a rope can cause it to be too "concentrated" to go evenly into the baler, esp older square balers. I use a 258 NH and an old 273 baler, but have not had bad problems in one season so far.

 

[gf5205]

We used a Kuhn rotary rake for the first time this past weekend, and it was magic. We were opening a 25 acre field with trees on three sides. Usually we have to wait till the outer windrows are dry enough so they don't rope when raked. We were using an old International 4 bar on steel wheels, which raked nicely, but slowly. With the rotary rake we were able to rake the hay earlier and get it further away from the shade of the trees. Even with the wet ground we have here in SW Maine and the early stage of the grass, the timothy is just beginnig to head up, we were able to bale Sunday PM after mowing Friday AM. Usually our first hay takes 4 days. Later on we'll mow one day and bale the next - but not this early and not with ground wet enough that we needed 4wheel drive to pull the baler and wagon in places.
Greg

 

[JESSE1]

I bought this Kuhn SR110 Speedrake last year. It's really shortened my time in the hayfield. Does a great job of raking.

 

[burnetma]

How does the rake do on side hills? That is another area of real frustration.