anybody used the V rakes on hilly ground?

KYfarm · Feb 8, 2011

I am trying to speed up my haying operation and it seems like raking is the slowest part. I am just using a NH 256 rolabar. It does a great job but at least 2 passes to make one windrow takes a great deal of time.

I've had plenty of people tell me to get one of the "V" wheel type rakes. Not the kind where the wheels go up in the air all crazy but the kind where the whole think can lift hydraulically. Like a NH HT152

Anyway I see where it makes a windrow with one pass but my question is how do they handle hilly terrain?

As always, any help is appreciated.

WCS · Feb 8, 2011

I have a V rake (Sitrex 12 wheel) and somewhat hilly hay fields. It does as good a job on side hills as it does on the more level ground. What it does a poor job on is small fields, especially triangle shaped fields; Can't get deep into corners as you could with a NH 256, which is what I used before buying the V rake. I would say that V rakes work best on bigger fields.For me that is 20 acres or more. But whatever size your fields are, the V rake will be much faster.

Doversix · Feb 8, 2011

I have used a v rake in very hilly, steep conditions
worked better than rollerbar rakes.

hayray · Feb 8, 2011

Big hill here.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 8, 2011

I like my R23A vermeer,because the turns are not affected in small fields.

caterpillar guy · Feb 8, 2011

Got a V rake on the 3pt like in the picture. We converted it to rake to single swaths at a time . It works fine on hilly ground. Also have a front fold Heston V rake can rake about 20 acres in about 2 hrs after the outside is gone.

charles todd · Feb 8, 2011

Dad bought a Frontier (JD brand I think) rake recently. It is 4 wheels wide on each side, 8 total and is hydraulic fold. We use it on hilly ground and it covers alot of ground quick. We drive it as fast as we can stay in the seat. Triangle hay fields, small hay fields, and corners are what you make of them. Practice makes perfect with them, I have done both.

CT

showcrop · Feb 9, 2011

Apply more fertilizer so that you get a three foot tall windrow in one pass. All of your other inputs will then be reduced.

dixon boy · Feb 9, 2011

the NH rake you mentioned is a very nice unit,i have assemble several of them and tried thewm out in my own hay fields flat and very hilly i really like them other than the price. first of all you raking pattern needs to change and get the single fold option also,kicker wheel option depends on size of unit and what do you mow with. are you planning on putting three together then you need the front kicker wheels otherwis no. its because you are straddling one and pulling two infrom each side with this unit,. let mo know can give you more help if don't understand. they are nuice units thou. ps thou do not try to use them at full fold out width they do not do well then,hay tries to go under instead angle of attack is simple to flat. go with one wheel larger unit and you will love it. i ran the 12 wheel unit and was nice but if buying one i would go with 14 wheel unit. It all depends on how wide you mow and whats the most you want to gather. Let me know idf can help

anybody used the V rakes on hilly ground?

KYfarm

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WCS

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Doversix

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hayray

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Anonymous-0

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caterpillar guy

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charles todd

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showcrop

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dixon boy

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