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JoshA

Posted 7/24/2010 12:23 (#1286182)
Subject: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Alberta, Canada

Looking at getting a new rake to replace our 12-wheel V-rake. Looking at a Vermeer R2800, and have some questions. 28 feet working width for the biggest model, what's up with that?? I need to rake two 16' swaths together, that are laid out to 8' wide swaths, will that work? Only have a 15' header I do that with now, but don't doubt a 16' will be around long before I wear out this rake.

Is it very beneficial to use a tractor that has variable flow hydraulics, or does it really matter? How does it rake around corners? With mole/gopher hills, how is it? Would expect it to be better than a v-rake because it doesn't need to scratch through the dirt, but then again because it's powered by the tractor is it going to fling the dirt into the hay?

Biggest question, speed? I don't expect to do 15mph with it, but I generally bale at 6-9mph, so kind of need to keep in front of the baler.

Downsides to the R2800?

Thanks!
-Josh

IAhaymakr

Posted 7/24/2010 13:31 (#1286248 - in reply to #1286182)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Northwest iowa

That is the cadillac of rakes, I have two of them here. I ran an r24a and r2300s before the r2800, and they were good rakes too. Keep em out of the dirt and you will never do anything to them except a little grease now and then. I went to the 2800 to get a wider swath, as the old rakes would not reach if we laid the hay out wide. It will nicely gather up two 16 foot swaths. No need for variable flow hydraulics, it will rake around corners, always does a nice clean job. I have even merged together two very big windrows of green oat alfalfa mix ahead of the chopper. That one surprised me a little. Only downside of this rake is that it can sometimes high center because of the distance between the wheels being so big. We usually just lift the front on the go to get around this problem when raking in terraces.

WesterOne

Posted 7/24/2010 13:41 (#1286264 - in reply to #1286248)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Canmore Ab. Canada

2800 is a good rake. All controls are in the cab and 28 feet is plenty to pull in two wide 16 foot swaths unless they are wind blown. Hay has to be dry enough to not rope when raking. The only down side I see is they are more expensive than a similar size wheel rake. dan...

IAhaymakr

Posted 7/24/2010 13:56 (#1286283 - in reply to #1286264)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Northwest iowa

Tip the baskets back and you can stop that roping problem.

WesterOne

Posted 7/24/2010 18:19 (#1286584 - in reply to #1286283)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Canmore Ab. Canada

We push the bottom of the baskets forward as far as possible. Is that what you mean by tilting them back? I can always learn... Dan...

biglake

Posted 7/24/2010 23:50 (#1287013 - in reply to #1286283)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Homestead Montana

Spend the money and buy a kuhn rotary rake we have one and would never look back at a wheel or basket rake. Even if you don't think you can afford one have them bring it out and demo one they actually lay the hay the right way to dry and cure. Ours is a 7301 I think and rakes 2 16 foots together very nice.
Dale

JoshA

Posted 7/24/2010 21:29 (#1286775 - in reply to #1286264)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Alberta, Canada

Dan, I'm assuming you're doing wide swaths out of your discbine? (mine are laid out 8'7" straight out of the mower)

WesterOne

Posted 7/25/2010 00:59 (#1287071 - in reply to #1286775)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Canmore Ab. Canada

Probably not that wide. More like 5-6 feet out of a 16 ft razor bar header. cuttings are usualy 2 ton for first and second and maybe only 1 ton for third in a good year. We rake on a light dew, hopefully the morning of the day we bale or sometimes the day before.
I saw a claas rotary rake this spring and they look well built. I would sure consider one. The problem we have with the rotary in alfalfa is it bats the hay and looses alot of leaves. To rake earlier would be nice in theory but we get such a big swath we cannot get it to dry. I guess it depends on when you rake.
The rotary does fluff up the swath nice and we use one on timothy hay but you can beat the heck out of timothy and not wreck it.
To each his own... and don't worry about the jealous spoil sports... enjoy yourself and your machinery. Dan...

farmerboy50

Posted 7/24/2010 14:03 (#1286298 - in reply to #1286182)
Subject: RE: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

West Texas

We've run r-23A for several years with a 18 foot head no problems.

KDD

Posted 7/24/2010 17:22 (#1286526 - in reply to #1286182)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Leesburg, Ohio

If you would consider a rotary, and try one out, you would be impressed with the consistency of the windrow and how much better it dries than any other type of rake.

WesterOne

Posted 7/24/2010 18:22 (#1286585 - in reply to #1286526)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Canmore Ab. Canada

We use a rotary kuhn in grass but it is pretty hard on alfalfa. I am not sure what josh grows. Dan...

JoshA

Posted 7/24/2010 21:21 (#1286768 - in reply to #1286585)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Alberta, Canada

We grow an alfalfa grass mix for first cut, second is straight alfalfa. Have enough leaf loss already, would prefer a gentler rake.

Claas is the only option for rotary rakes in my area, cost 36,000 for a new twin rotor. Cannot find any gently used ones. Was looking at a 4-rotor Claas but another salesman sold it before I got it.

biglake

Posted 7/25/2010 00:00 (#1287025 - in reply to #1286768)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Homestead Montana

The rotary rake is way easier on alfalfa than a basket rake the rotary only hits it once and lay it wet side up the basket rake will hit it 2 and sometime 3 times and then lay the hay the same side up as it was before it was raked. We tried out a John Deere basket rake made by vermeer we were doing haylage in front of a 7800 john Deere forage harvester and the John Deere wouldn't rake the hay that wet so we went home and got the Kuhn and away we went.
Dale

Hayinhere

Posted 7/25/2010 01:09 (#1287079 - in reply to #1287025)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Central NE

biglake - 7/24/2010 23:00 the John Deere wouldn't rake the hay that wet so we went home and got the Kuhn and away we went. Dale

That is the only senerio where a rotary might do a beter job in alfalfa. IMHO

EFM

Posted 7/24/2010 23:40 (#1286999 - in reply to #1286182)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

U must have plenty money! or your family does! You must have some happy salesmen with all that new equipment! Someone find a money tree or inheritance!
Must need plenty writeoff's
How old are you! With all the time you put online I doubt you are all that busy to pay for equipment, land ,fertilizer,herbicide,insecticide,insurance, truck & house note!

JRthefarmer

Posted 7/25/2010 11:15 (#1287426 - in reply to #1286999)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

SESD

Wake up on the wrong side of the bed, did we????

barker4650

Posted 7/25/2010 17:22 (#1287885 - in reply to #1286999)
Subject: Somebody Jealous?

N. E. Indiana

You don't know that nor is it any of your business, you can just keep those comments to yourself. Just because he comments on this site that doesn't mean the he doesn't work and just because you have only 24 post on here doesn't mean the you are working. So take those comment and shove them. We sold part of our farm for a golf course in the early 90's and I got so tired of people like you making comments about stuff that they do not know or is any of their business.

MOjeeper

Posted 7/25/2010 23:09 (#1288366 - in reply to #1286999)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

NEMO

EFM - 7/24/2010 22:40 U must have plenty money! or your family does! You must have some happy salesmen with all that new equipment! Someone find a money tree or inheritance! Must need plenty writeoff's How old are you! With all the time you put online I doubt you are all that busy to pay for equipment, land ,fertilizer,herbicide,insecticide,insurance, truck & house note!

Dang, Jealous much? I guess nobody should ever buy a new rake, and if you do, you must be FILTHY RICH!!

biglake

Posted 7/25/2010 23:44 (#1288433 - in reply to #1286999)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Homestead Montana

Hey dude your way out of line. This guy is asking for advise not giving it. There is and unwritten rule here on agtalk the only guy you can jump on are the ones that are giving advise not asking for it. We are here to help each other post our ideas and opinions and let the poster sort out the good from the lesser good easy big fella easy settle down
Dale

WillB

Posted 7/26/2010 11:09 (#1288782 - in reply to #1286999)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Ontario Canada

You ever hear of a smart phone??? Wonderful tools for those who need/want them.

mgberry

Posted 7/26/2010 08:59 (#1288652 - in reply to #1286182)
Subject: Re: Bar Rakes? Vermeer?

Central Ontario

We have a twin rotor kuhn.Moves two 12 ft.swaths together bottom side up. Mostly alfalfa some grass. Not to many basket type rakes in this area. So I can't coment on them. Good luck

Edited by mgberry 7/26/2010 09:00

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