We have a small hay operation covering around 50-75 acres. We use an old John Deere 24t square baler and a John Deere 410 round baler. We currently have an old John Deere bar rake that is coming close to the end of its days. I know there are a few different types of rakes out there but I am unsure which would fit our operation the best. About 90% of what we do if orchard grass while the other 10% is alfalfa. It seems with these old bar rakes we are leaving alot of grass behind in the field but they seem to do pretty good on alfalfa. From what I have seen a small 8 basket V rake might be the ticket. We are in central indiana so the last is as flat as it gets. As far as size goes I just need to be careful not to get a rake that makes too large of a windrow for our balers. I could use some advice on brands and models to look at. Just lightly looking yesterday I came across a Vermeer WR 20 in a couple of posts but there where a few complaints about rigidity. Any info would be appreciated!!
Time for a new rake.....what to get?
- Thread starter hollowcd
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sweettractors
Advertiser
We have a couple version of the V 8 wheel rake with hydraulic lift. The brand is Enrossi and can be seen at our store on I-65 about 1 hr south of Louisville, Ky exit 65 (Munfordville, Ky). We are about 30 seconds from the exit ramp. The going thing now is the Bat styled V Rake, it has a much higher clearance thru the throat for windrow clearance. We have both styles in stock. Let me know if you need pictures and prices? Of course the 4 and 5 wheel rakes are in stock at $1195 and $1295 on our lot. The 4 wheel, rakes 8 ft and the 5 wheel, rakes 10 ft. Ken Sweet
DaveOmak
Platinum Member
hollowcd, Good morning.
I bale alfalfa with a 14T behind my Jubilee. On occasion, my neighbor has cut it with a JD 14' swather and the wind rows are too much for the 14T. I bought a Simak 4 wheel rake and JD 9W sickle bar to cut.
The 4 wheel rake is a great tool. I adjust it to rake in 4 windrows for faster drying. When the hay is ready, depending on how thick it is, I can readjust it to rake 2 smaller or 1 huge windrow. The unique feature of the rakes is it twists the hay into a "rope" so to speak. This make picking up the hay into the 14T really smooth and uniform feeding. I really enjoy using it. It is inexpensive and does a very good job at raking the hay. The only drawwback is getting it adjusted to skim the ground evenly on all four wheels. Once figured out, it works great. Dave
I bale alfalfa with a 14T behind my Jubilee. On occasion, my neighbor has cut it with a JD 14' swather and the wind rows are too much for the 14T. I bought a Simak 4 wheel rake and JD 9W sickle bar to cut.
The 4 wheel rake is a great tool. I adjust it to rake in 4 windrows for faster drying. When the hay is ready, depending on how thick it is, I can readjust it to rake 2 smaller or 1 huge windrow. The unique feature of the rakes is it twists the hay into a "rope" so to speak. This make picking up the hay into the 14T really smooth and uniform feeding. I really enjoy using it. It is inexpensive and does a very good job at raking the hay. The only drawwback is getting it adjusted to skim the ground evenly on all four wheels. Once figured out, it works great. Dave
Thanks for the info guys. Dave I agree that alfalfa for a V rake would be too much for our balers. Our current bar rake does pretty good on alfalfa, it just sucks at grass as it seems to leave a lot in the field. From what I cna see the small tines of the v rakes work pretty well on the grass, I would just have to keep it small as in an 8 wheel or even drop down to a 5 wheel 3 point hitch style like you mentioned. I was hoping that someone would chime in on here that has an 8 wheel V rake and give me an idea of the windrow size and if my equipment could handle it. Thanks for the help!!
hollow
hollow
sweettractors
Advertiser
The windrow size (width and amount of hay) is very easily adjustable with a V rake. Just pull a pin and decrease the angle or slide the rakes on the toolbar. Different cuttings and types of hay require different settings for the V rake, That is why they are easily adjustable. Because they run on the ground, there is no residue of hay left in the field. I have raked lawn mower grass clippings out of my yard, several years ago whe I first built my house. Ken Sweet