Types of Rotary Hay Rakes
A hay rake is a mechanical farm implement used to gather freshly cut forage into a row, often called a windrow. This procedure allows the hay to dry in the field prior to harvesting. A rotary hay rake utilizes an array of rotors, each with a set of tines that move in a circular motion to gather hay and place it into a windrow. This type of hay rake commonly spans 10 and 13 feet wide. Specific design features characterize different types of rotary hay rakes.
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Power Take-Off/Hydraulic Drive
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Rotary hay rakes incorporate one of two different types of drive systems, a power take-off (PTO) unit or a hydraulic drive design. A PTO type hay rake receives power from the tractor via a spinning shaft that connects to the rake unit. The shaft receives power either directly from the tractor's transmission or from a separate PTO unit that is connected to the transmission through a clutch. A motor driven by pressurized oil powers a hydraulic drive type rake. Oil is pressurized via a fluid pump located on the tractor and then sent via hoses to the hay rake's hydraulic motor.
Three-Point/Drawbar Hitch
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A three-point hitch type rotary hay rake attaches to the tractor at two lower connection points and one upper point located at the center of the tractor body. The hay rake is raised and lowered via the tractor's hydraulic system, which controls the three-point hitch. Some rotary hay rakes utilize a drawbar type hitch. This system incorporates a flat piece of metal extending from the hay rake frame. At the end of this extension is a U-shaped structure with a hole at its upper and lower sections. This extension fits around a similar flat metal piece located on the tractor that also has a hole. The holes of both the tractor and hay rake hitches are aligned and a metal pin is manually inserted through each, creating a coupling.
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Tandem Rakes
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Single rotary hay rakes can be connected in tandem to cover a wider area of cut hay. These machines utilize one rake unit connected directly behind the tractor, and a second one offset to either the left or right behind the first unit. Tandem rakes often combine two smaller windrows into a single large row. This type of rake system normally covers 24 feet of ground.
Additional Rake Types
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Wheel rakes and parallel bar rakes are also used to create windrows. Wheel rakes incorporate a series of wheels mounted vertically and at an angle on the rake frame. The edge of each wheel contains tines that gather hay and move it to the next wheel until the material reaches either the center or edge of the machine, depending on design, and forms a windrow. Because wheel rakes rotate in a self-propelled manner as they are pulled by the tractor, they do not rely on external power. A parallel bar rake is driven either mechanically or hydraulically. This type of rake has tines that lift and roll forage into a windrow. Parallel bar rakes are becoming less popular due to their many moving parts and limited available widths.
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