V-Rakes. Vermeer or Kuhn?

[farmer2009]

Have narrowed down some shopping for a v-rake. A Vermeer wr1022 or a Kuhn sr110. Both are 10 wheel high clearance style folding rakes with center kicker wheels. Our baler seems to prefer all the hay raked. It pickups better. Prices are within $100 of each other. I like some of the adjustments on the Kuhn better but the Vermeer has the option of going to a 8 wheel rake by pulling 4 pins. In case I get into some very thick hay. Kuhn is in stock. Vermeer has to be ordered but purchase time for me is still 6 weeks away so not a huge deal.

Thoughts on each?

 

[birddog0304]

I had an old off brand 10 wheel rake with kicker wheel. The problem was 10 wheels just made to large of a windrow. I removed 2 of the wheels and put on counter balances. I tried an 8'wheel kuhn and found it to be a great match for my roller (5 foot pickup). Bought and has been working great in every aspect. Don't know about the Vermeer, however I'm sure it is a quality product. That being said, I would love the option of being able to easily change the number of wheels without any major changes to the rake itself. I would consider where I was raking, the type of baler I was feeding, any difference in the tractor requirements and ( maybe a small or nonissue) storage area. (My 10 wheel was always a tight fit, when the 8 wheel stores easily.

 

[farmer2009]

Thanks bird. I've never used an 8. Used a couple of 10s, one with this baler. It was a low profile and made lots of balls. Very hard to bale. Am being told these new high clearance rakes don't ball like that. And in-laws have been using a high clearance h&s for 10+ years. With no issues. It rakes smoother. Windrows were large but we figured out how to use the loader to flatten them out. We like 4 foot windrows because that's our baler pickup width.

Raking will be done with my MX5200 so tractor isn't an issue. As far as storage. I have room in the barn that I think it'll fit in. If not I have another place it can sit out of the weather.

 

[Navasot]

The big thing to me is that you can run it as an 8 or a 10... you can also rake with only one side... think Kuhn has independent shut off also not positive... but either way if they are close in price then your paying the same money for a machine that has more capabilities... once you get use to adjusting the Vermeer its not bad.. sliding the tubes out the next stage isn't the easiest to do but once you get that set youll hardly touch it again

 

[birddog0304]

Good call Navasot. I forgot my kuhn has that option to use only one side. Haven't used it. Pretty much just a valve to open/close, best i remember. The 10 wheel would be nice in thin hay. Have had both rakes to ball up on me. Figured it was operator error/haste.

 

[10ecfarmer]

I've got a SR110GII, this will be my 3ed year with it, If I had to replace, I would go back with the same thing. I did add a set of hoses so I can raise or lower each side independently.

 

[farmer2009]

The Vermeer has a shut off on each cylinder. The Kuhn looked like it has a 3 position valve on it. Run, lock and 1 wing. Will need to do some checking with dealer before final decision.

 

[powerscol]

Around here Kuhn equipment has the better reputation, but it is with the small units. I rented a 4 wheel once and it was not for me - probably operator error:laughing:. Tight fit through the gates and picked up a lot of thatch. Mt roll bar had broken and it was the only thing available to rent. Dealer gave me the 15 minute how to. That being said they work well for some of the local hay folks. Most here use the big rotary Kuhn models, don't know why. There is another make of wheel rakes out there Home - Rowse Rakes I use these folks for my sickle mower. Many folks don't know about them.

Hope this helps

 

[HayDR]

First both rakes are very good choices. The main difference in the rakes is the Vermeer has rubber torsion float where the Kuhn has a mechanical slot adjustment. Effectively tine life on the Vermeer will be longer because the float has a greater movement travel than the Kuhn. Hands down these are the best 2 rakes in this segment in the market. They are both made here in the USA & were designed for USA grasses & field conditions. The Italian copies all have frame issues with age.

 

[farmer2009]

Hay Dr.

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. Someone with experience in both.

Went back to dealers as I was in by them this week. Looking closer at the features of each rake. While the Kuhn has a windrow width quick adjust feature that could be useful. I liked how the Vermeer had various degrees of down pressure. And it seemed like the Vermeer wasn't as rigid (slots for movement not just holes) and would follow rough terrain better.