Buying a Hay Rake by Type

Hay is a cornerstone of the agricultural industry, and it needs to be handled properly to keep everything running smoothly. Hay rakes are a vital part of that process. Because hay rakes are a big piece of farm equipment, you don’t want to buy one without careful consideration as to the specific type of hay rake that will meet your needs. This breakdown of hay rake types will help you come to a decision.

Wheel Rakes

These rakes focus on speed and productivity when handling dry hay. They’re simple and don’t need much adjusting, which helps lower the time burden on you. However, they can add dirt or debris to the hay, which might lower its quality. They also take some practice to get used to and require slightly more storage space than others.

Rotary Rakes

These make more uniform windrows to dry hay more quickly and get it into bales faster. These are better at handling wet hay than wheel rakes, are less likely to contaminate the hay, and are also easier to maneuver.

Belt Rakes

Belt rakes can handle both wet and dry hay to make nice, fluffy windrows without contamination. They have a number of sizes and all the advantages of rotary rakes, with the added benefit of being more compact and easier to store.

Parallel-Bar Rakes

These rakes are an older design and are falling out of favor. They’re not as efficient or effective as modern designs, but they still get the job done. If you have one of these rakes, though, we do recommend upgrading to one of the types above.

When you’re ready to check out a fantastic selection of new and used hay rakes in Kansas, stop by our location in Alma to view our inventory. Wertzberger Ranch Equipment proudly serves our customers in Manhattan and Salina, KS.