503 ford hayrake

Jeff

Jeff

• A picture of my Tractor and Baler

If you grew up around this stuff, you're smarter than I am. I grew up in the city. I did a little haying on Grandpa's place in Idaho but never paid any attention to the machinery, etc. I guess I've learned how to sound knowledgeable in print and have fooled a few folks. Truth is, there's lots for me still to learn.

As for my rake, yeah, I thought it did a good job, but it's the only rake I've ever used. I have to deal with close confines so I liked being able to pick the rake up and position it where I wanted. I've seen 503 rakes painted red or blue. Mine is red....one of the oldest designs according to the FNH parts books. One of the bars broke off during operation (the bearings were shot). My style of bar is no longer supported by FNH so I've decided to look for something else, but if I found another 503 for cheap I'd buy it. I ran across one in a shed in the middle of town but the lady insisted it was still used every year and wasn't for sale.

I've got a Ford 501 rake, which I suspect is pretty close to identical the 503. The long sheet metal 'thingy' is called a stripper and basically cleans the hay off the teeth as they move up and down...should be adjusted so it's about 1/4" to 1/2" away from the teeth at their closest point. You can get a manual reprint from New Holland, which might help you with adjustments and such.

Mine was a great rake 'til I ran it into a half-open gate while daydreaming (forgot it's 11' wide!). Wanted to buy a new stripper, which got bent severely--thing is still available but is about $200 from the dealer, so I bought a new rake that I don't like as much. The 501 is now a yard ornament (sad face).

anyway, good luck with it. New Holland stocks parts for all the old Ford products, though the specialty parts (like the stripper) are pricey.

good luck,
Tom