A Buyer’s Guide to Agricultural Rakes

Processing hay is an essential part of farming and to successfully accomplish this critical task, you’ll need specialized rakes. You have several different options when it comes to rakes that you can use. Each one is designed to help you create uniform windrows from your hay and they vary in terms of precision and applications.

SS Equipment is your premier farm equipment dealer, with six locations across Oregon and Washington. Here are a few of the different types of rakes available on the market, along with their uses. Keep reading to learn more, and when you are ready to check out some high-quality pre-owned machines for yourself, visit one of our conveniently located dealerships.

Choosing the Right Rake

Agricultural rakes come in different designs to serve different purposes, so considering what you need is going to play a crucial role in getting the right model. For example, a wheel rake is a good choice for use in large fields. The tines rotate on several wheels as you drag the rake behind your tractor. The benefit here is that they don’t require much maintenance and they can help you quickly complete the big jobs at hand. 

You’ll need hydraulics and PTO to power the driveshaft, so make sure that your tractor is compatible with the hay rake. Before you make any final decisions or purchases, check your specs! Make sure that the rake is going to fit the tractor and avoid overloading your machine or coming up short in terms of the power potential.

Rotary Rakes

Rotary rakes are a good choice if you harvest crops with high moisture content. They can be used for dry or thin hay, too. While these machines are a bit expensive, these hay rakes deliver dry, clean, and fluffy windrows. Chances of soil contamination are decreased if you take the time to adjust the settings properly. Plus, the windrow width can be easily controlled by using an adjustable curtain.

Wheel Rakes

Because of its simple design (no PTO and no hydraulics), a wheel rake is usually the least expensive option. You can operate it at high speeds and it works best on dry crops. There are a number of configurations and sizes so it’s easy to find one that’s perfect for your tractor or your farm. Though they have some shortcomings, they remain popular because of their low price and simple design.

Belt Rakes

Belt rakes are versatile and compact and they can be used even when reversing your tractor, which is great for raking tight spaces. They also provide fluffy, consistent windrows and can handle both wet and dry hay. Being lightweight, they’re easier to transport and lift over obstacles and come in a variety of sizes to suit different farming needs. Belt rakes allow you to effortlessly switch between rake and tedder without using tools. When you want to dethatch a lawn or prepare a seedbed, simply lower the tines to touch the ground and you’re good to go. 

Bar Rakes

Also known as basket rakes, parallel bar rakes, and twin rakes, these implements usually have a hydraulic drive system. Bar rakes don’t make contact with the ground and they can handle different types of hay. Because they don’t make contact with the ground, they are more durable and need less maintenance. With these hay rakes, you also get different windrow options. Though they are more expensive than wheel rakes, you’ll ultimately save money with bar rakes because they last longer. Remember to check the teeth from time to time to ensure that they aren’t too worn down.

Now that you know much more about the different kinds of rakes out there, why not come and check them out in person? At SS Equipment, we have a wide variety of pre-owned hay rakes for sale and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you in selecting the right one for your needs. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Oregon and Washington, so stop by one of our six dealerships today!