Single Reel Rakes

Thekeencyclist

Anyone here using the Single Reel Rakes? How do ye find them for making a decent uniform row?

I was considering getting one but am interested in what other peoples opinions are on them before I even start looking at them. I'm currently using a haybob and have it set to throw the grass into a 5ft row which is fairly even and uniform across the top (Otherwise I think ye know the hardship is its not even and uniform). If I was to get one, I would probably look at Krone firstly.

If its any addition to aid the feedback, I mow with a 7ft conditioner but id say whenever it gets upgraded, it will be an 8ft the next time.

Not keen on the double reel rakers due to the length of them and potential awkwardness of maybe navigating some gaps!!

mythos110

I have a Claas 390 here. Does a nice even row in fairness to it although its a bit small for bringing 3x 10ft rows together. When grass has been tossed out it does a lovely job of bringing about 24ft together so ideal for your 7/8ft mower.

Thekeencyclist

mythos110 wrote: »

I have a Claas 390 here. Does a nice even row in fairness to it although its a bit small for bringing 3x 10ft rows together. When grass has been tossed out it does a lovely job of bringing about 24ft together so ideal for your 7/8ft mower.

Thanks for that, look like a decent machine. Might look into a good second hand one over the winter months

Thekeencyclist

Also would be open to the three point linkage twin reel rake if anyone has any feedback on them. I'd assume they would be handier in tights gaps off a narrow roadway as compared to a trailed rake.

PoorFarmer

Thekeencyclist wrote: »

Also would be open to the three point linkage twin reel rake if anyone has any feedback on them. I'd assume they would be handier in tights gaps off a narrow roadway as compared to a trailed rake.

Trailed rakes are actually very manouverable once they have a steering axle, will more or less follow the wheels of the tractor. Only failed to get into one field ever, 9 foot gate from a single track country road

charolais0153

Ya get one with a steering axle anyone would drive it

Thekeencyclist

PoorFarmer wrote: »

Trailed rakes are actually very manouverable once they have a steering axle, will more or less follow the wheels of the tractor. Only failed to get into one field ever, 9 foot gate from a single track country road

Thanks for that, I wasn't aware that the trailed ones had the steering axles these days for easier maneuverability. Can I ask what make you worked with?

oxjkqg

Hi. We run a Kvernland single rotor rake, its fine for doing handy bits and piece but it is slow at times as you have to go clockwise then anti clockwise to form 1 row. It has its merits in lighter crops where you can bring in say 50ft into 1 row. At times with certain types of grass, the more times you toss it then it tends to "ball" and lump and is hard on a baler after.

When i am under pressure i get a neighbours rake. its a 20ft trailed folding machine, massey ferguson make, they used be a Fella. Lovely raking, ideal for a baler man or man doing his own. Steering axle is standard on all those trailed rakes i would have thought for the last at least 10 years?

If i was on the lookout for a decent trailed rake for your own use, i would try and pick up a Claas Liner 2600, 1 of those in good order will last you a lifetime.

Your other option is a Lely Rotunde, which looks like a big haybob and telescopes out to pull in 2 no. 9ft rows, don think it can do 2 n. 10ft but i could be wrong there. They also wont shake out like a haybob.

PoorFarmer

Thekeencyclist wrote: »

Thanks for that, I wasn't aware that the trailed ones had the steering axles these days for easier maneuverability. Can I ask what make you worked with?

Mostly Lely 725. Have used Claas, Krone and Kverneland occasionally too. All would be 30 ft contractor type rakes though and would be a huge price difference from a single rotor.
Not sure if all the smaller 20 ft twin rotors have steering axle or not but a quick look on Donedeal shows the Kverneland Claas and Kuhn do.

roosterman71

oxjkqg wrote: »

Your other option is a Lely Rotunde, which looks like a big haybob and telescopes out to pull in 2 no. 9ft rows, don think it can do 2 n. 10ft but i could be wrong there. They also wont shake out like a haybob.

Have one of these. It will do 2 10fts. That's it's max. We use it ourselves after a mower with no conditioner. Is purely a rake, and isn't a tedder/turner.

cute geoge

roosterman71 wrote: »

Have one of these. It will do 2 10fts. That's it's max. We use it ourselves after a mower with no conditioner. Is purely a rake, and isn't a tedder/turner.

How does it clean the ground if you turn out the grass

Thekeencyclist

roosterman71 wrote: »

Have one of these. It will do 2 10fts. That's it's max. We use it ourselves after a mower with no conditioner. Is purely a rake, and isn't a tedder/turner.

What is the row like out of it? Is it a nice even uniform row??

Thekeencyclist

oxjkqg wrote: »

Hi. We run a Kvernland single rotor rake, its fine for doing handy bits and piece but it is slow at times as you have to go clockwise then anti clockwise to form 1 row. It has its merits in lighter crops where you can bring in say 50ft into 1 row. At times with certain types of grass, the more times you toss it then it tends to "ball" and lump and is hard on a baler after.

When i am under pressure i get a neighbours rake. its a 20ft trailed folding machine, massey ferguson make, they used be a Fella. Lovely raking, ideal for a baler man or man doing his own. Steering axle is standard on all those trailed rakes i would have thought for the last at least 10 years?

That would be my only concern with buying the single rotor type, having to go 2 directions to make a row whereas maybe a few more quid and a twin rotor might be the better job. I would only be looking to rake in 20ft max. It would be for my own use and the idea behind it all is to try and save a bit of time where I can when it comes to getting the job done, if the Irish weather was a bit more reliable, I prob wouldnt be researching a rakers. I work full time so somedays the pressure can be on if I cant get away from work a bit earlier to get a start made etc. Its not to bad now as my father is able to tip ahead of me with the haybob while I follow with the baler but he is getting on in the years to now.

roosterman71

cute geoge wrote: »

How does it clean the ground if you turn out the grass

No bother at all. Cleans the ground excellently no matter what way the grass in front of it is. Sometimes it can run over some grass if it rolls over a bump in the ground. Can take a few seconds for it to get back "under" the the grass. More likely to happen on non tedded grass. It does mean lifting, reversing, dropping and redoing that little bit.

Thekeencyclist wrote: »

What is the row like out of it? Is it a nice even uniform row??

Nice row if both reels are full. If one is full and the other not then the row can be lopsided. That's driver error more than machine though