wheel rake springs

Anyone know a good source for the springs for an old farm hand style wheel rake? Our rake was made by Morill if I remember right, but it's pretty much the same thing as a farmhand. Just broke another spring this last week trying to rake up our rained on hay, and was wondering where new ones can be had. The last few I've put on it were found in random spots in junk yards and such so no exact matches to what I need.

I know they're not the best, but with a little maintnance they work pretty good. In our case, we bought it a while back at auction for $7.50. Couldn't pass that up.

This is about the best picture I have of the rake....



Donovan from Wisconsin

They look like they could have been the same as a New Idea Speed Wheel.

Hey Don!

Next time ya go into your favorite farm/tracor/ag store, as for rake "teeth" not "springs".

You'll have a little better luck. :>)

Allan

Can you provide a close-up pic of the teeth? There are probably several other brands of hay rakes that use that same tooth and it is likely they are still available brand new.

Well if you would take one of the teeth off and get a close up of it that would help a lot. From what I can see of it I would almost bet I have those laying in my junk iron pile since I have 3 or 4 wheels off an old rake in that pile

I could be wrong,but he ask for springs not teeth and they have and need balance springs on each wheel.that was my take on it and if right there are several present day rakes that have springs that could be made to work.

I rake every year at my brother in laws with a farmhand rake. You can still buy the rake teeth at about $1.50-$2.00 a piece at our local race bros farm supply in Springfield, MO.

I think you're right Kody. Each wheel has a heavy balance spring that keeps the teeth from riding too hard on the ground. The springs connect to a common adjustment tube, with either a crank or a hydraulic cylinder to adjust the ground pressure.

I have an old Farm Hand that looks like the same rake. They made at least two different models. Mine has big wheels - mebbe 4' or a little more in diameter. I have a friend who also has one and his wheels are about three feet in diameter.

Those old rakes are good on teeth. I can't remember replacing very many on the Farm Hand.

Paul

Hey Don look up Agcoparts under Farmhand M25 wheel rake the part number for spring is 1D4806.Good luck Scott

Kody's got it right. I'm talking the springs, not the teeth. Teeth are easy to find although a bit pricey when the springs go and you loose 5-8 teeth on one wheel. (When one goes, the rest behind it start to follow...)

The springs on this thing are a bit heavier than I've seen on other rakes. Probably 2 1/2" OD, maybe 20 coils of 3/16 or 1/4" wire. Each wheel is individually adjusted with a chain. The spring attatches to an arm welded to the main arm for each wheel. Then a chain hooks to the other side of the springs, and that is caught by a tab on the frame with a slot in it.

To pick up the wheels you need to get off and pick them up, and the chain is long enough to hook the extra in a slot on the arm the spring attatches to. No cranks, hydraulics, or other methods. The hitch is adjustable though. A U bolt holds the toungue to the frame, and you can adjust how far out the rake goes or if the front wheel is right behind the tractor.

A 6 wheel rake would be nice for us when we double rake, as now we have to go back after raking each windrow towards each other and finish the job if not watching the 1st 2 times through. A 10 wheel V-rake would be even nicer still... 1 pass per 2 windrows, instead of 3 per 2.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Take a look at the McMaster site and site and see if they have anything that size.

A GOOGLE search SHOULD turn up some suppliers of generic springs, as well.

I tried that last year and I couldn't find any even close to that size. Nothing I would want to take a gamble on anyways. I might try to see if there is anythign else that would work, just hate to spend money on something that isn't a sure bet.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Hey scott- Looked at the parts book online and those appear to be the same spings I need. On Monday I'll have to call around to a few dealers and see which ones are able to sell Farmhand parts, or if any of them have some in stock which would be even better.

Thanks for the tip. Probably coulda found it myself if I took the time to pick through the website, but for some reason forgot Farmhand was a part of AGCO now.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Google -Darf Rakes-. They still make those wheel rakes, and I know parts are available for them. I raked about 1500 acres of hay with one last summer. I like em better than V rakes in all but about %10 of conditions.

Good luck.

Ben