Ford 503 3-point mounted hay rack (1950's), PTO dr

[Blue Horse]

Does anyone have experience with this type of rake? I saw one tonight at a local used machinery lot, looked to be complete and in fairly good shape. What do these type of rakes sell for, approximately? Are parts available at New Holland dealers? Are they basically good machines, or something to avoid?

 

[georgeky]

My uncle had one he used for years. I suspect when he quit it was because of parts. Teeth, bearings and seals will be available and maybe some basket components. I am just guessing but I would say some parts have been retired.

 

[Fordfarmer]

I have one, and like it. I'd buy another if I could find one close enough. Will even rake wet hay for high moisture round bales when some ground driven rakes just slide their tires. Not so good for straw on tall stubble though. I paid $500 for mine, but that was probably 10 years ago. I think George has is right on parts. I know the idler/tensioner pulley is still available, too. Really not much to go wrong with them though. I know some early ones were red, but I'd say most were blue, as they were listed in sales literature until the early '80's.

 

[georgeky]

The one my uncle used is red, but he also has a blue one that he used for parts.

 

[johns48jdb]

the are god rakes for odd shaped fields. you can lift them up and go over previous formed windrows without making a mess of them. the only wish i had for one was to have put stabilizers on it so it would run a little bit straighter behind the tactor and not make waves in the windrow. a little harder to hook p than just a plain rake is all. i ran a ford for a while and it was pretty quit. theres nothing i hate any worse than a noisy rake.

 

[Bret4207]

I have one I was given. When it works, it makes the nicest, fluffiest windrows you ever saw. You can get into a corner, double row, push 3 or 4 together if you want. Pulls easy, doesn't take much power to run. Now the bad part- that power stripper gets 1 stinkin' stem of hay caught on it and before long you've got a round bale forming on the stripper! If it gets to the end bearing it'll force hay into the bearing area and jam it up tight.

Wonderful idea and design if you have one that hasn't been beat like mine.