HOMEMADE Double Rake Hitch Put To The Test!

HOMEMADE Double Rake Hitch Put To The Test!
Recently I built a double rake hitch for my two New Holland 256 rakes. Lets try it out and see if it works!!
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[@mrdddeeezzzweldor5039]

The framework held up and the concept appeared to work pretty well. In my way of thinking, I would still add gussets from the extender c-channel frame pieces to the lower frame on the lead rake for an extra measure of stability and weld longevity.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

That is a good idea. Maybe this winter I can get the rake in the shop and beef up my original design. Thanks!

[@mikehall9190]

That setup is how I learned to rake hay. My grandfather used a sliding steel pipe he welded on the front rake to set up back rake. Watch those sharp left turns!

[@mikehall9190]

He had me do outside first then inside straights in small fields. Large fields were loops outside in.

[@mikehall9190]

Hay was his summer business. Sun up to sunset on a tractor.

[@mikehall9190]

Good job on the raking.

[@jeepcj3b436]

I bought an extra 256 with a hitch very similar to that and use it with my other 256. Makes for a great setup in the fields I cut. Thanks for the videos - good information.

[@JonDingle]

That worked out very well indeed young man. I haven't seen a rake like that here in the UK. Generally most farmers here go aound the outside 3 - 5 times depending on the size of the rake and then row up the middle.

[@davidmorris3102]

I have that exact setup. The only problem I ever had was the left wheel on the front rake was worn and would break the pin. Drilled it out and put a larger grade 8 bolt in and never had another problem.

[@DennysCountryLife]

That looks like it works perfectly! Very nice work Chris, big time saver there!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks! It sure will be a time saver :)

[@kimculver1038]

Handy-dandy rig. Good job ,glad it worked as expected.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you- I am happy with it so far 🙂

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

Basically the same thing we did.. ours wasn't adjustable. You might want to add some more meat at the left frame.. brace it and gusset it. That's where we broke the frame on the 56.. swapped it out for the 55 because the 55 has a heavier frame. Looks great Chris!!! Always had rubber rope or bungee on the handles

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I think I might add more bracing when I have time over the winter. Thanks Ed 🙂

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

@@dehavenfamilyfarm not a problem Chris!! I like to see things done right.. I've learned from a lot of mistakes over the years 👍

[@charlesfogg6510]

Raked thousands of acres with a New Holland double rakes set up just like that . We had 258 on front and a 256 on back . The most I ever raked in one day was 300 5x6 rolls on 80 acres. And we always try to start in a corner went right around the outside of the field . When you get back to your starting point do a 180 turn and roll that hay against the other row of hay

[@BareKnuckleBinder]

I love this idea! Your hitch set up is slick too!

[@houndsmanone4563]

Chris, I think your idea worded pretty dang good, Chris. Full-watch. Enjoyed it.👍🏽🙂.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you! Time will tell if I built it heavy enough lol

[@TwoFarmBoys]

Awesome video! Really cool setup you got there. I usually start at the very outside and try to rake the hay underneath the tree line out a bit so it can get more sun. I work my way to the middle until I start going straight back and forth. Once I'm all done I go back and clean up my last circle round that I used to turn around on for the straight rows. I use an old fashioned Ford bar rake. Isn't even a slanted axle. Anyways, I will make sure to check out some of your videos in the future. Really good content. Keep up the great work and have a great rest of the day - Everett

[@crslyrn]

Looks like a good setup. I'd suggest a more aggressive tires on the rear rake. Especially if you are working with heavier cuts of hay. I used to run a IH model 35 side delivery bar rake years ago. I'd always did he outside rows then the middle with that rake. Stay safe.

[@crazycoyote1738]

That’s a great idea bro!! I’ll try copying it if you don’t mind. One thing I might improve is opening more space between the front wheels of the rear rake, since it’s rolling over the hay that was collected by the front rake. Thanks for sharing and investing your time helping others!!

[@macfarms]

You did a good job on that I've been following the whole project. Looks like it would be perfect for 2nd cut here.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks! It should be a timesaver 🙂

[@davidrobertson376]

Great job. Here in Australia NH sold a tandem hitch for these rakes. It would have the left hand rake leading to row up two swaths or turn two heavy rows. Or the hitch could be flipped so the left hand rake was trailing like you have to bring two rows into one. I am Impressed I really thought the front rake would be pulled out of its track and miss hay but it ran along very nicely. These remain in my opinion a superior rake. Simple and effective. Dave.

[@markcornell986]

Nice job Chris..looks

[@austin2741]

We have rakes like that and we start on the outside and go around in circles until we reach the middle cause its a pain to do rows cause once you reach the end if you don't have enough room you have to keep putting the rakes in road mode

[@frrapp2366]

looks good i too wonder what will happen in heavy hay. you might put a crank winch on the hitch back by the road hitch position with enough cable to go to the end of the hitch through a pulley or roller and then back to the back rake (at road position) to move it to field position that way you don't have to back up to the 2nd rake

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Neat idea!

[@farmerpete]

Just got home from vacation and getting caught up on videos :) I'd say it turned out pretty well! When I had a 256 I had to do the bungee cord trick too.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Hope you had a nice vacation! The initial use went well, so I am pretty happy. Thanks for stopping by!

[@IH100]

super cool idea glad it turned out welll!!!!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks- me too! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@droten2231]

Nice job. Tracks really really good

[@frrapp2366]

you talked about your wheel rake , i like the basket rakes because they don't throw as much dirt into the hay ( when set right)

[@billypickering4212]

Looks good. We used a hitch we called a #7 to pull two roller bar rakes. This looks like it works better.

[@GerraldFarms]

Looks like it works good. It even follows good in the turns. I think it will work good in heavy first cutting. Nice job. Have a good one buddy

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I am pretty happy with how it worked out. Hopefully it holds up lol

[@HumbleHaymakers]

Excellent!!!!!!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you! 🙂

[@shaneholst6940]

Looks like that a pretty good setup ! 👍

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks- it seems to work well 🙂

[@markcornell986]

Nice job Chris..looks good..

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks Mark!

[@FarmallFanatic]

I was gonna ask if I could have 2nd cut, but not after what you said. I'll wait for 3rd 😀

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Lol Third cut is coming in nicely, as long as the 4 inches of rain coming from the tropical storm tomorrow doesn't drown it...

[@btoperator1359]

replace your springs on the rake adjusters and that should stop them from turning and dropping the tines.

[@r.scotthill3082]

We used a bridge hitch for two 258 NH rakes which is more flexible than the sliding hitch. hydraulic cylinder controlled, adjust on the go, no unhooking and hooking for transport,rake small three cornered pieces, even rake two single windrows or one double. If you pair a 258 with a 260 you rake toward the center making one windrow with no back swath.

[@johncalhoun2634]

R. Scott, do you have pictures of your bridge hitch?

[@r.scotthill3082]

@@johncalhoun2634 fraid not but it was replica of factory NH

[@AgWildNebraska]

Looks like it works great

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

It worked out pretty well. Thanks for stopping by!!

[@FarmallFanatic]

Darn tootin' there's International rakes! BOOM

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

😂

[@donfenton9082]

International rakes suck

[@FarmallFanatic]

@@donfenton9082 please

[@jankotze1959]

It works very well Chris, it spare you a lot of time and diesel, well done, I don't know if you watch Northeast Ohio farmer video's, he have also two NH rakes in tandem

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks! Yes, I watch Travis. But I think they have the fancy hydraulic rake hitch lol

[@caseyrapp8366]

They make a new holland 260 it's a right hand side delivery witch is pretty neat

[@larsonvalleyfarm]

I love my V rake, but there are a few times where a set up like this would work better! Nice work

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thank you! It was a fairly simple and inexpensive way to rake two rows 🙂

[@farming4g]

Works slick!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks- it seems to work well, but will take some time to get used to lol

[@AJmx2702001]

raked many acres with a Deere and 256 NH and usually we started on the outside and went in and worked it from all 4 sides and usually only had to clean up the corners where sometimes you skipped a bit but we also pulled them with farmalls and if we turned too short it would knock off the rear tire stems lol

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I think I will try raking with your method next time and see how it works out. Thanks! 🙂

[@apatchofheavenfarm2814]

Works pretty good id say

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks- so far it looks like it will work out lol

[@ianwallett7438]

They work really well. Top job! Could do with the chevron tyres on the back rake as it’s working harder plus if you put them on backwards they will grip better. That’s why combines and so on have rear no drive tyres on backwards.

[@ianwallett7438]

If you picture the tyre on backwards, at the point it engages the ground it is facing the right way to maximise traction to drive it around. 👍

[@ianwallett7438]

Or another way to look at it, if the tyre is the normal way around and it locks up, you will be skidding on the rear of the tread rather than on the drive side if on backwards.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks for the tip on the tires! I think I will put those tires on the second rake when the tires that are currently on it wear out 🙂

[@VintageFarm1086]

Looked like it worked pretty good. I rake with one roller bar rake. I need to upgrade to something else, just not sure what I want.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

I really like the rotary rakes- just couldn't afford one that rakes two rows at once lol

[@Nickthefarmer]

Hi, him looking to do something similar like that, would you recommend putting a gauge wheel on the extension hitch so it doesn't flex?

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

That's not a bad idea, but I have put 60 acres on this setup so far and it seems to be fine. Time will tell though lol

[@dmax1376]

That is a great idea. How is the hitch holding up after a year?

[@ox6942]

Drive tires on the front rake on on backwards. They're on for propulsion, not for pulling. Turn them around and they'll be proper for a pull type ground driven implement. Other than that, well done!

[@pughviewfarms4622]

Very well set up. Would the hitch still work if the rear rake was not a sulkie type.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks! And I'm not sure about the second rake, this is a new adventure for me lol

[@jeramyascriven4517]

I think we had weighted handles on ours height adjusters, it would fall to the bottom but never spin around just a thought. Also wondering how the bailer picked it up kinda looked like your bougie wheels on the second hitch were running in the first rake windrow? If it doesn't pack it down bad I'd say success!

[@leonardwinterhalt5461]

Great job could you mount a hydraulic cylinder to adjust the 2nd rake on the fly

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Working great! I would love to get 40.feet into a windrow!

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks, it did work pretty well. I really didn't want 40 feet in a windrow because that meant the hay was thin 😂

[@douglasmast8765]

Can you tell me what size tubes you used?

[@jefffunkhouser2773]

I like to have someone ranking when I am running my round baler. It save a lot of ranking time.

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

It sure would, but I am a one man operation here.

[@jefffunkhouser2773]

I'm to ,but sometimes I have help ,then when I do it myself I rank up one big row on the outside going in. And I bale that. I rank what I know that I can get baled up that day

[@WorldsOkayestFarmer]

*Pretty cool setup glad it worked well* #WorldsOkayestFarmer

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks- it is a time-saver 🙂

[@deanbarr5740]

Wow that is some enginuity. Should cut your time i half. Great idea

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

It definitely is low cost will save time! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@GeigerFarm]

👍🏻

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Thanks for stopping by!