Purdue University Mimeo AE .30
Agricultural Extension Service June 1954
"Wheel Type Hay Rakes,"
Their principle, methods of operating,
summary of advantages and disadvantages.
The wheel rake was developed in about 1945 and has been gaining acceptance
in most parts of the United States. The following information is presented so
you may more thoroughly study its possibilities on your farm. This material is
a summary of all the information available at the time of writing. There are at
least five companies now producing rakes using this principle.
Its Principle; (Refer to Figures 1 & 2)
A series of overlapping wheels are carried on independent axles (see Figure
2). The diameter of the wheels including coil spring teeth is 60 inches. Each
wheel rakes approximately lj. feet in operation. The wheels are set diagonally
to the direction of travel and when pulled produce a drag stroke action. Tooth
contact with the ground provides the turning force. A wheel rake is now being
manufactured which has all wheels driven from a ground wheel and which can be
raised by hydraulic control. The hay travels in the direction of the axle on
which the wheel turns.
Types of frames and mountings used with wheel rakes;
The single wheel as illustrated in Figure 1 is in itself a rake. Many arrangements of multiple wheel units have been tried and some are commercially
available. The single wheel has been used satisfactorily as a windrow turner.
Three arrangements of wheel and axle are illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4*
The most commonly used type of wheel rake is the Pull type Side Delivery because
of its ease of attaching to the tractor. The characteristics of the three methods of mounting are discussed beneath the figure illustrating their relation to
the tractor and swath.