Can you give me the makes and models of ground driven hay rakes? I wanted to start looking for used ones out on the market and begin educating myself as to cost and age, etc. Thanks.

Will,

Modern rakes (a few)
New Hollland 56 256

John Deere 640 660

New Idea 402 406

IHC 35

There are other models, this is a start

Check out tractorhouse.com or fastline.com and look for hay equipment. That will give you an idea of price and options

Old style where made by New Idea, John Deere and IHC.

Neal

My John Deere is set up for both tractor and horses. Have the pole and very easy to change over from one to the other.

I have an old International, but I have borrowed my neighbors 256, and it is nice. I really like the way it handles and hope to buy one someday.

I would say choice #1 a NH 256 with the dolly wheels, choice #2 a JD 660. Those are both modern tractor type side delivery rakes. I bought my NH256 about 10 years ago for $750 and have been happy with it.

don't overlook the many brands of ground driven wheel rakes. I use a side delivery tonutti wheel rake. I believe they work better on dryland hay

What kind of older implements worked best? Jwaller, how do you use your rake? If it is set up for use with a pole or behind a tractor, where do you ride?

Allis Chalmers 77G and 78G Are also good rakes, but the 256 new holland is the best

As far as the old horse rakes I like the New Idea side delivery. It can ted as well as rake. It has four wheels making it very stable and the fourth wheel can be folded up for tedding so as not to run over the windrow.But that being said I wouldn't trade my tractor rake for one. I don't believe you can beat that 256 with a dolly wheel. I had been using the old New Idea rake behind my horses and my neighbor came over to bale for me. I asked if I would like to try his rake. It was a 256. I said sure and hooked it behind the forecart. I had a hard time the first few rounds keeping the horses from trotting. The 256 was so much lighter that what they were used to they didn't know how to act!

What about the old dump rakes that I see as yard ornaments all over? Who made them and did they work? I have been meaning to order that new book on implements which hopefully will save some of these questions, but till then...
Also, Brabant owner was very kind and let me use his 256 when I visited his place. I really liked it and it worked very well. But I have been looking around and they are not cheap! NOW I finally get the old saying that a rich man farms until he's poor:). Problem is...I'm not even rich, so doesn't take me near as long to go poor over these horse dreams. Luckily at least Brabant owner sells plows and small implemeents at a price that a working man can afford or I woulnd't be in the farming business yet.

Dumps rakes work fine except that hay balers won't eat the windows or the shocks. They are the standard for making loose hay. They usually don't rake as clean as a side delivery.

Will,

As a sample, check out the link and look for the NI 402 or the IHC 14. The dealer is on the west end of TN, but it gives you an idea of price. http://www.tractorhouse.com/List/List.aspx?PCID=3067281&dlr=1&etid=1&guid=265c7ac97d5f4c81af4dc75f0780351a

I have a NI 402 and it works okay until I drop one wheel in the dead furrow around the outside of the hay field. My fault for not working the dead furrow full after plowing. Live and learn.

Neal

Remember dump rakes don't rake the hay under the windrow. They leave a lot of scatterings unless tipped with a side delivory rake.

I have used a dump rake and got along fine with it. I agree with the others that a side delivery does a cleaner job. A John Deere self dumping dump rake is a good one. I have 4 McCormicks and they work pretty good too. It is hard to get a straight windrow with a dump rake but it can be done. The dump rake can be used to gather the hay into cocks too. We used to do this then skid them to the stack on a pole.