6 Best John Deere Wheel Rakes for Hay Production

You’ve got a field of hay down, the sun is shining, but you can see the clouds building on the horizon. That’s the moment a reliable hay rake proves its worth. For cattle farmers, getting that hay raked cleanly and quickly isn’t just a chore; it’s the difference between a barn full of quality winter feed and a field of moldy loss. This is why you see so much green paint in hay fields—when it comes to dependability, old-timers know that certain John Deere models are as trustworthy as a good dog.

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Why John Deere Rakes Dominate Cattle Farms

When you’re running a small farm, you can’t afford downtime. John Deere’s older wheel rakes earned their reputation because they were built with simple, heavy steel and designed to be fixed with a wrench and some common sense. Parts are still easy to find, either from a dealer or a local salvage yard, which is a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch.

This isn’t about brand loyalty for its own sake; it’s about proven performance. These machines were designed for a single purpose: to rake hay efficiently without breaking. They lack the complex hydraulics and electronics of newer equipment, which means there are fewer things that can go wrong in the middle of a field. For a hobby farmer, that simplicity is gold.

John Deere 702: The Simple, Indestructible V-Rake

The John Deere 702 is the definition of a workhorse. It’s a basic V-rake with a simple, ground-driven design that has almost nothing that can fail. If you have relatively smooth, small-to-medium-sized fields, this rake is nearly perfect.

It’s a no-frills tool. You set your width, drop it down, and go. The beauty of the 702 lies in its ruggedness; many of these have been bouncing around fields for decades and still work as well as they did on day one. For someone just starting out or managing a smaller herd, a used 702 is one of the smartest investments you can make. It just works.

John Deere 662: A Top Choice for Uneven Terrain

If your fields are more rolling pasture than flat meadow, the John Deere 662 is a significant step up. Its key advantage is how well it follows the contours of the ground. Many 662 models feature walking tandem axles, which allow the rake wheels to float over bumps and dips instead of digging in or skipping over low spots.

This matters immensely for hay quality. A rake that follows the ground closely picks up all the hay without scooping up dirt, rocks, and manure. Getting a clean windrow means cleaner, more palatable hay for your cattle. The 662 strikes a fantastic balance between simplicity and performance, making it a favorite for farmers whose land isn’t perfectly level.

John Deere WR1112 for Clean, High-Quality Hay

The WR1112 is a more modern V-rake, but it holds onto the core principles of reliability. Its main selling point is the design of the rake wheels and arms, which are engineered to lift the crop gently. This action cleanly separates the hay from the stubble, minimizing ash content—that’s the technical term for dirt and debris in your forage.

This model also offers more adjustments, like easily changing the windrow width to perfectly match your baler’s pickup. A windrow that’s too wide or too narrow makes for a frustrating day of baling and poorly shaped bales. The WR1112 gives you the control to build the perfect windrow, which translates directly to better feed and an easier time in the field.

John Deere WR5412: High-Capacity Raking Power

For the farmer with more ground to cover and a narrow weather window, the WR5412 is a beast. This is a high-capacity V-rake designed for speed and efficiency. With its wider raking width, you can cover a field in far fewer passes, saving critical time and fuel.

This rake isn’t for a 10-acre patch. It’s built for someone managing 40 acres of hay or more and running a larger tractor. The trade-off for its capacity is maneuverability; it’s a big piece of equipment. But if your operation demands that you get 50 acres raked in an afternoon, the WR5412 delivers the power and speed to get it done.

John Deere 640: Classic Side-Delivery Reliability

Now we step away from V-rakes into the world of side-delivery rakes. The John Deere 640 is a legend in this category. Unlike a V-rake that pushes hay together, a side-delivery rake gently rolls the hay into a fluffy, uniform windrow. This is fantastic for promoting air circulation and helping damp hay dry out.

The 640 is a simple, ground-driven machine that’s easy to maintain and operate. Its biggest advantage is versatility. You can use it to combine two swaths into one, or you can use it to gently turn over a windrow that got rained on. It’s slower than a V-rake, but the gentle handling and superior drying ability make it an invaluable tool for anyone serious about hay quality.

John Deere 671: A Heavy-Duty Side-Delivery Rake

Think of the John Deere 671 as the 640’s bigger, tougher brother. It’s a wider, heavier-built side-delivery rake designed to handle thicker, heavier crops like dense alfalfa or first-cutting grass hay. Where a smaller rake might struggle or leave hay behind, the 671 powers through.

Its added width means you can pull more hay into a single windrow, which is ideal if you’re running a larger baler. This rake is for the farmer who needs the hay-drying benefits of a side-delivery design but also has the acreage and crop density that demand a more robust machine. It’s a professional-grade tool that has found a permanent home on many serious cattle farms.

Choosing Your Rake: V-Rake vs. Side-Delivery

So, which type is right for you? It comes down to a simple trade-off between speed and hay quality. There is no single right answer, only what’s right for your operation.

• V-Rakes (like the 702, 662, WR1112, WR5412): These are built for speed and efficiency. They cover ground fast and are ideal for raking dry hay in good weather. The downside is they can be more aggressive, potentially "roping" the hay and pulling in more dirt if not set correctly. If your biggest enemy is the clock, a V-rake is your best friend.

• Side-Delivery Rakes (like the 640, 671): These are built for hay quality and drying. They create a fluffy windrow that allows air to pass through, which is crucial for curing hay evenly. They are gentler on delicate crops like alfalfa, preserving more leaves. The trade-off is speed; they are slower and require more passes to form large windrows. If your top priority is the best possible feed, a side-delivery rake is hard to beat.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your priorities. Are you trying to beat the rain on 50 acres, or are you trying to craft the highest-quality forage possible on 15? Answering that question will point you to the right machine.

The best rake for your farm isn’t necessarily the newest or biggest one. It’s the one that matches your land, your tractor, and your goals for feeding your cattle. A well-maintained older John Deere often provides the perfect blend of reliability, performance, and simplicity, letting you focus on the real job: getting good hay in the barn.