Types of Hay Rakes

Having neatly bundled, dry hay is a necessity for most agricultural operations. In order to handle your hay properly, you’ll need a tool called a hay rake. There are a number of types of hay rakes available on the market, so it’s important that you know what their features are before you buy one for your farm or ranch.

Belt Rake

This type of rake is great for handling both wet and dry hay, as it can quickly create even windrows that aren’t likely to be dirty. The compact nature and wide variety of sizes available make belt rakes a popular choice.

Parallel-Bar Rake

This old design isn’t as popular these days, but many people still have them. Parallel-bar rakes will get the work done, but they aren’t fast or efficient about it. Upgrading to a different type of rake is best.

Rotary Rake

Fast and accurate, rotary rakes make very uniform windrows so that your hay dries quickly. If you have to handle a lot of wet hay, a rotary rake is better than a wheel rake because it will be less likely to get contaminants in the hay and it tends to be easier to move around.

Wheel Rake

A wheel rake is extremely productive and quick when used to handle dry hay. With a simple design that doesn’t require you to adjust it very much, you can get your work done faster. Wheel rakes do take some practice to master them, they take up more space, and they can sometimes introduce debris into the hay.

Come see us at our Tennessee location in Jonesborough today to view our wide stock of new and used hay rakes and other hay equipment for sale. West Hills Tractor serves our customers in Greeneville and Johnson City, TN.