tonutti hay rake

[Kelly in tx]

Just acquited an 8 wheel Tonutti rake. I've never used any v-rake. I've got a 4' round baler (Vermeer). The rake looks like it'll leave a very wide windrow/double windrow. I can see it was once adjusted narrorer. The seller said rake faster and it'll throw into a narrow windrow. Follow sellers advice or adjust to narrow BEFORE using? Thanks for advice. kelly

 

[Tx Jim]

If you post a photo of your wheel rake someone can probably tell if & how windrow width can be adjusted. On early model wheel rakes one can change angle rake wheels approach loose hay will affect windrow width & as you stated ground speed rake is operated can affect windrow width. On some better, higher quality wheel rakes windrow width can be changed independently from raking widths. On a rake similar to my H&S Hi-cap rake one turned crank on rear of rake to change windrow width & move tractor scv control lever in order to change raking width from 28'-8' when thickness of hay warrants a change in amount of hay in windrow.

 

[rrlund]

The seller lied to you. It might throw heavy hay in, but get in to lighter second or third cutting and it ain't going nowhere. You'll have two small windrows too far apart. I'd say try it and see, but if it's out there a long ways, you're not going to be able to pick it up with the baler in one pass.

 

[dcarp]

X’s 2 on what rrlund said. Rake a short distance with it, then adjust. Repeat till you get a result you want. Best setup for me is a windrow the width of the baler pickup.

 

[rrlund]

X’s 2 on what rrlund said. Rake a short distance with it, then adjust. Repeat till you get a result you want. Best setup for me is a windrow the width of the baler pickup.

Makes a nice square shouldered bale without weaving.

 

[Sbird]

Hopefully OP yours can be used as a half rake leaving one side up. My Walton made by the same company only rakes with both sides down. First cutting on my bottom ground (thick hay) I have to use a old roller bar rake because the V rake plugs up constantly with it set at 4' for my old baler.
Good luck.

 

[rrlund]

Hopefully OP yours can be used as a half rake leaving one side up. My Walton made by the same company only rakes with both sides down. First cutting on my bottom ground (thick hay) I have to use a old roller bar rake because the V rake plugs up constantly with it set at 4' for my old baler.
Good luck.

If yours is like my Gehl, maybe you can change that. I use a tractor with dual remotes. I bought three more hoses, took the plugs out of the other end of the cylinders and made each side raise independently. The reason I went to two way on both is that I use an Oliver, and they don't like one ways. If you have one with dual remotes that both work with one way, you only need one more hose.

 

[Sbird]

If yours is like my Gehl, maybe you can change that. I use a tractor with dual remotes. I bought three more hoses, took the plugs out of the other end of the cylinders and made each side raise independently. The reason I went to two way on both is that I use an Oliver, and they don't like one ways. If you have one with dual remotes that both work with one way, you only need one more hose.

Very clever fix rr, I went and looked at mine and it's single cylinder with scissors lift.

OP mine adjust with the turn buckles.