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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Which direction do you rake hay?

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Bobg

06-08-2005 20:12:21




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I don't have any square or rectangular fields, they all are narrower on the ends. I have an old JD 495 low wheel rake that works great, but have trouble getting out of a field when I rake. I normally try and rake the same way that I cut in, but the rake doesn't turn as good in that direction. Also all of my fields are small and narrow, not to many straight lines in it. This year I raked the opposite that I cut and it rakes and turns good that way.

Just a little frustrated in having problems with having to make some double windrow to get out of the field.

Bobg

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no2

06-09-2005 16:25:45




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to Bobg, 06-08-2005 20:12:21  
My dad used to say that just about anyone could run the baler if the hay is raked right. I"ve learned he was right. My son does most of the baling now and I do the raking. I rake differently for round baling verses square baling and differently if it"s square baled and dropped on the ground or put directly on the wagons. For square baling I try to make bigger windrows, no up and down hill windrows since round bales will roll, and don"t worry so much about the turns cause you can back a round baler if need be. Square baling on the ground, try to place windrows so this rounds bales are not in the way of the next round. Square baling onto the wagon usually three windrows around the field then back and forth.This years hay has been lighter than the last couple of years and so far I"ve started going clock wise on the field then turn around, go the other way doubling the windrow working my way back to the point I started. By then the baler usually shows up starting to bale on the third or forth windrow in and working his way to the outside. Then I"ll go in and rake the middle of the field if I haven"t already. A good way to learn to rake is to run the baler on the hay you"ve raked and you"ll learn pretty fast.

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Kelly C

06-09-2005 03:51:33




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to Bobg, 06-08-2005 20:12:21  
This is what I do but dont know if its right.
I rake 2 9 foot cuts into one windrow.
Square fields, I just start by kicking the out side row in. I then turn around run clock wise and kick the 2nd row back into the 1st.

I then cut into the 4th row and kick into the 3rd.
Then 3rd and 4th together.
My 1st 2 windrows are kind of close together. But I get enough room for the baler on the out side and just enough to get the secound windrow with out running over the 1st bales.

AS I rake the rest of the field I continue to cut in a row and kick 2 together then roll that into one.

On egg shaped fields. On the norrow end I bust out at the bottom. Leaving a turn around spot at the narrow end. All my rows seen to come together at the ends.

NH roller bars rakes leave the best sweeping turns when you rake clockwise. Counter clock wise and your turns are to sharp and you smack the heck out of you pto shaft on the baler.

Dont know if that make sense but there you have it.

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Leland

06-09-2005 02:04:20




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to Bobg, 06-08-2005 20:12:21  
When I had to work odd shaped fields I would start on the longest side and start working to the narrowest side it's no fun but it made it easier for me to do.



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Leland

06-09-2005 02:01:02




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to Bobg, 06-08-2005 20:12:21  
When I had to work odd shaped fields I would start on the longest side and start working to the narrowest side it's no fun but it made it easier for me to do.



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kyhayman

06-08-2005 20:59:33




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to Bobg, 06-08-2005 20:12:21  
I rake around the field one or two windrows, depending on the size of the field. Then I start going back and forth in the middle making as long a line as I can. Work off of that. Rigth now Im putting 12' or so to the windrow, really thick stuff. Baled 57 this afternoon after 4, cut it yesterday am. Moisture is pushing the upper limit so it will have to sweat outside on the gravel. Had a new guy raking today for me..... ..... ... Had to stop him and have class three different times, he kept wanting to stop and look, I know he was trying to do a good job but gee whiz, cut the wheels, stomp the brake, and rack on.

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edchainsaw

06-08-2005 20:41:59




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to Bobg, 06-08-2005 20:12:21  
my dad always made hay your way... but after we got a disc mower the JD640 rake worked just as good going back ward.. and withmy big round baler working better with longer rows with less turns I started raking long rows down and back and then at the end finnishing the ends of the field (ya those are doubles) my hay is normally not very heavy



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Bobg

06-09-2005 06:23:55




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to edchainsaw, 06-08-2005 20:41:59  
I'll probably have to turn most of the field again since we've had rain off and on. I'm hoping to get it baled Friday or Saturday before it rains again. I was hoping to cut earlier, but the rain put that off and the grass was about 5 feet tall. That makes the windrows pretty big and my old M without live power gives you a workout especially with all those corners. I was hoping to pick up a small moco, but finances are not going to allow that for a while. It's just frustrating to want to do a good job and have it turn out not so good.

Bobg

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edchainsaw

06-09-2005 17:43:44




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 Re: Which direction do you rake hay? in reply to Bobg, 06-09-2005 06:23:55  
they tell us rain (and we need it really bad) and we get clouds.. so we dont mow...

but no rain.

then I mowed when they said NO RAIN... I finnished mowing and 12hrs later.. rain.. ( just not enough of it LOL)

now its back to CHANCE OF RAIN every day.. but no rain..



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