Double Rake Hitch Build- New Holland 256 Rake!!

Double Rake Hitch Build- New Holland 256 Rake!!
To save money and time raking hay, I built a hitch to be able to rake two rows of hay at one time!!
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[@GerraldFarms]

Nice build. Looks good. Can’t wait to see how it works. Have a good week

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks Jacky! I recorded a video with it yesterday, so you won't have to wait to long :)

[@bdradley1]

Not sure if anyone has commented on this or not and if they have I apologize. Your "lug" tires as you call them on the front rake are positioned correctly if it's a powered implement, but in a "wheel driven" implement, you turn the tires around backwards which causes them to bite more. If you will look at any of the pneumatic tire horse drawn sickle mowers, you will see the tires are all backwards from what you would think, its all for more bite and traction.

[@jankotze1959]

That was brilliant, well done!! I can not wait to see it works for you, very nice job

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you!! I used it yesterday- video coming soon!

[@paulking5783]

We use a double rake hitch since 1995 and it sure saves a lot of time once you get used to it it's so easy and fast to rake hay

[@jtoibnb]

Nice build. We went to new holland procart rakes. To get away from the cost of rotary rakes. Found procarts Maintenance was a lot cheaper to run. Only down fall we have found with procart they do not handle corn stalks as well. They tend to pull to much dirt in to the wind row.

[@larsonvalleyfarm]

Nice work. Anything to help save time

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks! Raking always takes up a lot of time on my baling day. It will be easier when my kids get a little older though lol

[@AgWildNebraska]

Well that looks pretty good. Awesome

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you! I am not a professional fabricator/welder, but it turned out pretty good :)

[@HumbleHaymakers]

Looks good - I think you’ve got a plan...👍

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks! My plans don't always work, though LOL

[@mrdddeeezzzweldor5039]

Obviously I'm late to the comment game on this build but my initial thought is there should be gussets welded in where the c-channel comes off of the lead rake frame to handle the considerable out-sprung weight of the 2nd rake hitch extension bar. Going to watch the 'test ' video now.

[@timerfarms113]

Tandem rakes are definitely the way to go. Raking hay is the biggest time wasted usually by time ur half done raking u should be bailing. I was able to find a home made arch hitch at an auction for cheap and modified it to run my rotary rakes best idea ever. Can't wait to see ur finished product.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I completely agree! Your rake setup sounds like it will work better than mine lol

[@SoybeanFarmer3300]

nice fabrication project. I'll be back to watch you use it.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you!!

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

We pulled one behind the other for years. It's hard on the frame, but works. A V rake would be good too..

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

It was the cheapest solution I could come up with lol I like your rake, and actually tried to find something similar but there wasn't much out there when I looked.

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

@@dehavenfamilyfarm we pulled a 55 behind a 56 for years.. only issue is the 56, like your 256 has a formed channel frame, it's lighter than the real channel iron used on the 55... Busted the frame on the 56.. swapped them, put the 55 in front and never had any more issues.. then a neighbor gave us an old hydroswing mower frame, made it much nicer!! I need to show it on video sometime.. Don't use it much since we got the 216, but it looks like I'll be cutting the spring oats, going to be pretty light, so it will be in the field this summer.. hopefully in a week or so..

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

@@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin That would be neat to see. You should definitely do a video when you have time :)

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

@@dehavenfamilyfarm I'll get some in the field.. it will be a week or so...

[@ianwallett7438]

Nice job! It’s a good idea. 👍

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks! It was the cheapest way I could think of to rake double rows lol

[@mach533x]

cant wait to see it in action!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Video of it in the field should be out next week. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@frrapp2366]

i made an overhead 2 rake hitch several years ago, and just got a nh 260 rt hand throw rake to go on it. the nice thing about it and the tandem hitches is they don't put side draft on the front rake ,like the receivers as the hitch points. will be interesting to see how well it works and if you get much side pull in heavy hay , good luck!!!

[@VintageFarm1086]

I'm glad you took my idea and built it. I have been thinking of building the same hitch. I'm interested in seeing it work. I have a lot of hills and was afraid of the back rake pulling the front rake sideways. Let us know how it works.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

It was a good idea, and not to hard to fabricate. I actually used it yesterday- video coming soon!

[@Northeastohio]

Looks good

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you!

[@agirlandhercows501]

your rake looks great

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you!

[@houndsmanone4563]

Neat idea, Chris. Will the sliding tubular bar be sturdy enough so as not to bend when being pulled? Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed a full-watch. Looking forward to seeing the wheeled double-rake in action. Have a fine week. 👍🏽🙂.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

It should hold up fine- it is 1/4 inch square tube, fingers crossed! LOL Thanks for stopping by!!

[@farming4g]

Looks beefy! Can't wait to see how it works! If I were to critique one thing is maybe should have some extra bracing on some of the angles, just to prevent possible movement and fatigue but time will tell once you get it to raking for a while... I have no idea how much stress those rakes provide when they are rolling down the field. Smart idea to add in that second hitch for towing behind down the road. A ball hitch wouldn't be a bad idea either, not sure what ground you have to cover. Curious as well on how "straight" the front rake will pull.... maybe might need a little bit of added weight? I'm hoping it just all works perfectly and no sass lol.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you! The added braces are a good idea. I am hoping to run it a bit, and then see if any modifications are going to be needed :)

[@FarmallFanatic]

Grain crops keep dropping in price, Im gonna start losing money in hay. Just hafta farm kinda guy 😁

[@ISXCUMMINS565]

Diversity in farming and adapting.. Boom 💥

[@Murphyslawfarm]

G'day mate

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Good day sir! :)

[@bryantmiller7292]

Is this able to extend to the point at which both can take a windrow without combining them?

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

No, this design would probably put to much stress on the rake in the front if the hitch was extended out far enough to do two separate rows.

[@bryantmiller7292]

@@dehavenfamilyfarm thank you so much!

[@billypickering4212]

Do you have any dimensions on the metal? Wanting to do this myself just looking for some starting pounts.

[@joshuayost8924]

where did you get your tires? looking to get 2 for my 55 rake

[@colbymatthews6048]

What size are the lug tires you Used