Educate me on NH rollabar rakes!

jhilyer · Mar 20, 2017

Hi,
After years of using crappy rakes, last year I had the opportunity to use a neighbor's NH Rollabar. Man, what a difference! I thought I had 'the same thing' in my crappy IH rollabar-style rake. Not even close. 4 bars vs 5, and the NH was soooo much more 'solid', and the adjustments seemed so much better thought out. It picked up every little bit of second cutting hay here in NW PA. It was an older one, I don't rember the model - what are some older model numbers to look for in a NH Rollabar that I might pick up for a decent price??? And what would you pay for it?

Thanks,
- Jim H.

mtny · Mar 20, 2017

Model 56 , 256 , 258 .

Bret4207 · Mar 20, 2017

I bought a 256 last year for $900.00. That's a very, very good deal. Usually they start in the $12-1500.00 area around here. $18-2000.00 is common for decent examples and I've seen them over $3K in nice, used shape. I don't know what they cost new.

wolfman · Mar 20, 2017

They've probably made the Model 256 for forty years, so you might find one for $400 and one for $4000.

Bill VA · Mar 20, 2017

Some folks don't like a rollabar rake, they get the job done for me. I paid about $300 for my JD350 3pt rake and it does a terrific job. I recently added a NH 56 rake in very good condition with a dolly wheel for $800.

I haven't used a wheel or rotary rake, so can't comment on them.

Curious as to the model IH rake you have. I should think well adjusted it ought to do a fine job, my JD is a 4 bar rake, but it took a bit of tinkering to figure out how to set it correctly. The reason I bought the NH was for drop a pin in the drawbar and go. I'm growing weary of the 3pt hitches and wrestling matches when attaching implements.

IMHO there are two pieces of hay equipment, regardless of ones opinion that is indisputable, and that is the NH rollabar rakes and haybines seem to last for 30 plus years and keep on going. Not sure the rotaries or discbines will have such a record.

paul · Mar 20, 2017

The model 55 had a straight axle.

The 56 is angled, and the 256 of course.

Paul

SVcummins · Mar 21, 2017

I bought my 56 new Holland for 25$ we had an old ih.rake to and it was junk it would barley turn lawn clippings and the tounge weighed 600 pounds and was about impossible to hook on

RickB · Mar 21, 2017

A 55 has many gearbox parts unique to that model. Some of those parts are expensive, some obsolete. Look for a 56, 256, or the wider 258.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 21, 2017

I used a JD roll bar rake for years then got a good deal on a NH 256,after the first time I used the NH I have never hooked to the JD again didn't know what a quality rake was until I
got the NH.

Part Time Pete · Mar 21, 2017

I've got an IH model 35 that does a good job, but I'd rather have a NH 56 or 256 - they go for $1,500 to $2,000 around here
I spent many, many days as a kid, leading a NH 56 around with an Oliver 77
Pete

showcrop · Mar 21, 2017

I had use of a 256 for two seasons and it worked very well. When it went away I got a JD four bar because it was what I found. I didn't really see much difference, although it does have some trouble now and then in heavy hay. I tried a rotary two times. I am sure that they are nice in large rectangular fields but my fields are odd shaped with multiple centers, as well as great difference in ground moisture requiring different drying times and separate raking. The rotaries don't do centers as well as a roll-a-bar.

495man · Mar 21, 2017

For the grass hay and irregular shaped fields done here the 256 works great, can turn easy and double windrows up to feed a baler great.

I've run a 3pt rotary and hated it, pretty well impossible to rake a corner.

jhilyer · Mar 27, 2017

Thanks for all the good info, guys!!!

- jhilyer

Educate me on NH rollabar rakes!

jhilyer

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mtny

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Bret4207

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wolfman

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Bill VA

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paul

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SVcummins

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RickB

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Traditional Farmer

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Part Time Pete

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showcrop

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495man

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jhilyer

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