6 Best Sitrex Wheel Rakes For Market Gardens That Old Farmers Swear By

Managing a market garden often means dealing with awkward spaces where industrial-sized equipment simply won’t fit. Sitrex wheel rakes have become a staple for small-scale growers because they are mechanically simple, ground-driven, and incredibly forgiving on uneven terrain. Choosing the right model can mean the difference between a clean field and a tangled mess of wasted forage.

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Why Sitrex Wheel Rakes Excel in Small Market Gardens

Most of us aren’t running 100-horsepower tractors, so we need implements that don’t demand massive hydraulic output or complex PTO hookups. Sitrex rakes are ground-driven, meaning the tines turn simply by making contact with the earth as you pull them along. This simplicity is a lifesaver when you’re trying to manage a field between rain clouds.

These units are lightweight enough for a sub-compact tractor but built with high-carbon spring steel that handles rocky soil without snapping. This balance of durability and low power requirement is exactly what a part-time farmer needs to get the job done efficiently. You get the professional results of a larger operation without the overhead of heavy machinery.

Sitrex RP2 Pull-Type Rake for Small Acreage Haying

The RP2 is the entry-level workhorse for anyone managing just a couple of Irish acres of orchard grass or clover. With only two wheels, it’s remarkably easy to maneuver around fence lines and individual fruit trees where a larger rake would get hung up. It is the ultimate "tight spot" tool for the hobbyist.

It features a "pull-type" design, which means you don’t even need a three-point hitch to operate it. You can literally hook this up to a heavy-duty ATV or a small utility vehicle if your tractor is busy with the mower. This flexibility is perfect for those of us who have to get creative with our available equipment.

The tradeoff here is width; you’ll be making more passes than you would with a larger unit. However, for a market garden where every square foot of soil is precious, the precision of a small rake outweighs the need for speed. It’s better to take an extra ten minutes than to tear up your garden borders.

Sitrex RP4 Wheel Rake for Compact Tractor Efficiency

If you have a standard 25-35 horsepower compact tractor, the RP4 is likely your "sweet spot" for efficiency. It uses four wheels to create a wider windrow, significantly cutting down your time in the field compared to the two-wheel models. It’s the standard choice for a reason: it just works.

This model mounts directly to your three-point hitch, giving you total control over the lift and transport height. This is crucial when you need to jump over irrigation lines or move between disconnected garden plots without dragging your tines through the dirt. The ability to lift the rake completely off the ground makes transport a breeze.

• Best for: 3 to 5-acre plots
• Tractor Req: Category 1 Three-Point Hitch
• Key Benefit: Excellent balance of speed and maneuverability

Sitrex H90-V8 High Capacity Rake for Larger Plots

When your "market garden" starts looking more like a small commercial farm, the H90-V8 enters the conversation. This is a V-style rake that pulls hay from both sides into a single, fluffy center windrow. This setup is perfect for high-volume baling where you want the thickest windrow possible to maximize your baler’s capacity.

Be aware that this machine requires more turning room at the headlands. If your rows are tight or your fields are heavily treed, the sheer width of the V-8 might be more of a headache than a help. It’s a tool for the open field, not the orchard alley.

Because it handles so much material at once, you need to watch your ground speed. Going too fast with a V-rake can cause the hay to "rope," which makes it harder for the sun to reach the center of the pile. Keep a steady pace to ensure your hay cures evenly.

Sitrex QR8 V-Rake for Speed in Wide Garden Rows

The QR8 is designed for the farmer who values speed but still works in relatively confined spaces. It offers a "quick-release" adjustment system that allows you to change the raking width on the fly as your field shapes change. It’s a more versatile version of the standard V-rake.

It’s particularly effective for raking dry hay that needs to stay airy and light. By moving the hay quickly and gently, the QR8 preserves the leaves—the most nutritious part of the plant—rather than shattering them against the ground. This is vital if you are selling high-quality hay to local horse owners.

Sitrex RP3 Three-Wheel Rake for Tight Garden Spaces

Think of the RP3 as the middle child that actually gets the most work done. It offers more coverage than the RP2 but remains nimble enough to spin around in a tight cul-de-sac or a narrow garden alley. It’s the favorite of many old-timers who have oddly shaped fields.

Many experienced growers prefer the three-wheel setup because it provides a more consistent windrow in thin crops. The extra wheel helps "catch" what the first two might miss, ensuring you aren’t leaving valuable mulch or forage behind. It’s an insurance policy against a messy field.

Sitrex TR/9 Trailed Rake for Simple Hay Management

The TR/9 is a trailed rake that excels on rolling terrain where a hitch-mounted rake might bounce or dig in too deep. Because it follows the tractor’s path on its own wheels, it maintains a consistent height regardless of the tractor’s pitch. This leads to a much cleaner rake job on hilly ground.

This is a "set it and forget it" piece of equipment. Once you have the height adjusted for your stubble, you can focus entirely on your driving line rather than constantly fiddling with the hydraulic levers. It takes the stress out of raking for those who are still learning the ropes of haying.

Maintaining Sitrex Spring Steel Teeth for Longevity

The secret to these rakes is the spring steel teeth, but they aren’t invincible. You should regularly check for "tired" teeth that have lost their tension or become bent out of alignment. These will drag or skip, leaving hay in the field and making your windrows look sloppy.

Keep a handful of replacement teeth in your toolbox at all times. Swapping a tooth takes five minutes with a basic wrench, but trying to rake with a missing tooth will result in uneven windrows that are a nightmare to bale. It’s a small maintenance task that prevents a massive headache later.

Always store your rake under a lean-to or a heavy tarp during the off-season. While the frames are rugged, constant exposure to rain can lead to rust in the wheel bearings. These bearings are the only moving parts that require regular greasing, so keep them slick to ensure the rake spins freely next spring.

Investing in a Sitrex rake is about matching the tool to your specific acreage and tractor size. By prioritizing simplicity and maneuverability over complex features, you can ensure your market garden remains productive without the stress of over-complicated machinery.