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Soap I got a question.

On our H and S "V" rake, both sides have eight wheels, and we don't have a "kicker" wheel in the middle. Our first rake had the kicker wheel, but it seemed unnecessary, and just something else to get plugged. Another feature our first H and S rake had was the solid panels for the rake wheels. These were also determined to just be a nuisance, especially when replacing teeth, so we took them off and sold them back to the dealer.

Several years ago, Joe and Abby Westover did some contract haying for us. They mowed with bar mowers, and raked with an H and S rake like we did. They did a cleaner job than us, so I asked Joe what his secret was. He said that the hay is mowed going around and around until you get to the middle. He advised to rake the same, around and around until you get to the middle. We had been making nice straight windrows back and forth, so changed our ways. By using Joe's method, raking the hay in the same pattern as it was mowed, there are hardly any scatterings.
 
An H and S will rake everything from 2 acres to the bale toward 10 or 11 bales an acre. Best rake I have used, except on irrigated alfalfa. The solid wheels are unnecessary, as has been noted.
 
Interesting. I look at a swather---bigger machine than combines used to be--and think that all it does is replace the mower and dump rake I grew up with---both of which, weight wise, would fit on a pickup. And I've never liked conditioners. Simpler is better, for me. What don't you like about your rake on alfalfa? Tia.
 
Soapweed said:
Several years ago, Joe and Abby Westover did some contract haying for us. They mowed with bar mowers, and raked with an H and S rake like we did. They did a cleaner job than us, so I asked Joe what his secret was. He said that the hay is mowed going around and around until you get to the middle. He advised to rake the same, around and around until you get to the middle. We had been making nice straight windrows back and forth, so changed our ways. By using Joe's method, raking the hay in the same pattern as it was mowed, there are hardly any scatterings.
Click to expand...

That's how I was taught to take with the old New Holland #56 rake.
The ones with the triple teeth were hard to beat.
 
Joe, I just like a twin hydraulic rake better for alfalfa because it's a little gentler and cleaner. The cows don't seem to care either way. Milk cows may think differently.
 
Soapweed said:
On our H and S "V" rake, both sides have eight wheels, and we don't have a "kicker" wheel in the middle. Our first rake had the kicker wheel, but it seemed unnecessary, and just something else to get plugged. Another feature our first H and S rake had was the solid panels for the rake wheels. These were also determined to just be a nuisance, especially when replacing teeth, so we took them off and sold them back to the dealer.

Several years ago, Joe and Abby Westover did some contract haying for us. They mowed with bar mowers, and raked with an H and S rake like we did. They did a cleaner job than us, so I asked Joe what his secret was. He said that the hay is mowed going around and around until you get to the middle. He advised to rake the same, around and around until you get to the middle. We had been making nice straight windrows back and forth, so changed our ways. By using Joe's method, raking the hay in the same pattern as it was mowed, there are hardly any scatterings.
Click to expand...

Soapweed, I read this to Mr. FH. He has put up hay since he was 6 years old and he didn't know about raking round and round and thought that was very interesting. Once you think about it, it makes sense.
 
Faster horses said:
Soapweed said:
On our H and S "V" rake, both sides have eight wheels, and we don't have a "kicker" wheel in the middle. Our first rake had the kicker wheel, but it seemed unnecessary, and just something else to get plugged. Another feature our first H and S rake had was the solid panels for the rake wheels. These were also determined to just be a nuisance, especially when replacing teeth, so we took them off and sold them back to the dealer.

Several years ago, Joe and Abby Westover did some contract haying for us. They mowed with bar mowers, and raked with an H and S rake like we did. They did a cleaner job than us, so I asked Joe what his secret was. He said that the hay is mowed going around and around until you get to the middle. He advised to rake the same, around and around until you get to the middle. We had been making nice straight windrows back and forth, so changed our ways. By using Joe's method, raking the hay in the same pattern as it was mowed, there are hardly any scatterings.
Click to expand...

Soapweed, I read this to Mr. FH. He has put up hay since he was 6 years old and he didn't know about raking round and round and thought that was very interesting. Once you think about it, it makes sense.
Click to expand...

Back when we stacked loose hay, mowed with bar mowers and used a dump rake, it probably worked better to rake at a 90 degree angle to the laid down hay. It didn't really matter then, because with a dump rake the scatterings were raked again anyway. With a V rake, the wheels pick up the hay much better going with the hay (as in around and around in the same direction it was mowed). If done correctly, there are very few "scatterings." When we first started baling, we used a dump rake to gather scatterings. Heavy broken dump rake teeth don't mix well with either balers or bale processors, so we quit messing around with that inefficient part of the process. I was sure happy to learn from Joe Westover how to use a V rake correctly to eliminate the scatterings.
 
This is Kosmo speaking: I just wanted to add to this thread that the larger diameter black teeth are worth every penny. I have changed millions of yellow rake teeth in my day but very rarely a black tooth. Just some food for thought but definitely worth the premium above the standard H & S option.
 
Soapweed said:
This is Kosmo speaking: I just wanted to add to this thread that the larger diameter black teeth are worth every penny. I have changed millions of yellow rake teeth in my day but very rarely a black tooth. Just some food for thought but definitely worth the premium above the standard H & S option.
Click to expand...

Do you have the long bent teeth or the rubber mounted ones?
 
Big Muddy rancher said:
Soapweed said:
This is Kosmo speaking: I just wanted to add to this thread that the larger diameter black teeth are worth every penny. I have changed millions of yellow rake teeth in my day but very rarely a black tooth. Just some food for thought but definitely worth the premium above the standard H & S option.
Click to expand...

Do you have the long bent teeth or the rubber mounted ones?
Click to expand...

They are the long bent teeth.
 
Soapweed said:
Big Muddy rancher said:
Soapweed said:
This is Kosmo speaking: I just wanted to add to this thread that the larger diameter black teeth are worth every penny. I have changed millions of yellow rake teeth in my day but very rarely a black tooth. Just some food for thought but definitely worth the premium above the standard H & S option.
Click to expand...

Do you have the long bent teeth or the rubber mounted ones?
Click to expand...

They are the long bent teeth.
Click to expand...

I kind of answered my own question, the black teeth are 7.5 mm and the others are 7mm
 
My rake doesn't have the solid "wind shields" I think is what they are called. Yes, they are not necessary unless its a windy day. Thats when I wished I had them! Those days I think you leave more hay than you realize. If you have your down pressure set right, you don't break that many teeth. I usually only change them when I have 2 broke in the same spot during the season.
 

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