All About Hay Rakes

Hay rakes have been used in hay production for over a century, though they’re still a relatively new innovation given that people have been making hay for thousands of years. Regardless, a hay rake is an agricultural tool used to collect hay into windrows so that it can be more easily baled or collected later. If you’d like to know more about hay rakes and how they can be used to make your work easier, check out this guide from the experts at A.C. McCartney.

Hay Rake Designs

Hay rakes come in a few different designs. Earlier, less efficient designs like parallel-bar rakes have been replaced by more modern hay rake types like rotary rakes, wheel rakes, and belt rakes. Different designs have different strengths and weaknesses. Some hay rake designs are simpler and easier to maintain, while others might be better suited to working with wet hay. Be sure to do your research before you purchase a hay rake to ensure that you get a type that is well suited to your needs.

Size and Capacity

Hay rakes come in various sizes, with larger rakes usually able to perform more work more quickly. Of course, larger hay rakes also take up more room, which can be a burden on smaller farms that usually don’t need the extra capacity anyway. Be sure to think about the size of your farm and how much hay you need raked before you purchase a hay rake. 

Shop our inventory of hay rakes at A.C. McCartney. We operate five locations throughout Illinois, including Wataga, Illinois. We’re proud to serve great communities like Fulton, Fulton, Durand, Carthage, and Mt. Sterling, Illinois. We also offer parts ordering and servicing.