6 Best John Deere Wheel Rakes for Hay Production

The smell of curing clover fills the air as the sun dips toward the horizon, signaling the narrow window between cutting and baling. Every minute counts when rain is in the forecast, and the speed at which hay reaches its target moisture depends largely on the efficiency of the windrow. Choosing the right wheel rake ensures that the crop is handled gently while moving enough air through the stalks to finish the drying process.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

John Deere WR0008: Best Budget-Friendly Rake

The WR0008 represents the entry point for producers who need a reliable rake without the heavy price tag of high-capacity hydraulic units. It features a simple, carted design that is easy to hitch and pull with smaller utility tractors common on many hobby farms. The eight-wheel configuration provides a respectable working width while remaining narrow enough to navigate through standard gates and down narrow farm lanes.

Simplicity is the primary advantage here, as there are fewer hydraulic lines and pivot points to maintain compared to more complex models. The manual adjustments are straightforward, allowing for quick changes to the windrow width depending on the size of the baler pickup being used. While it lacks the high-clearance frame of its more expensive cousins, it performs admirably in standard grass and alfalfa crops.

This is the ideal choice for a grower managing twenty to forty acres of relatively flat ground. It offers the legendary John Deere durability without overcomplicating the mechanical process. If the goal is to get the hay off the ground on a strict budget, the WR0008 is the tool for the job.

John Deere WR1212: Best for Mid-Sized Farms

Stepping up to the WR1212 introduces a twelve-wheel design that significantly boosts productivity in larger fields. This model strikes a perfect balance between speed and maneuverability, making it a staple for operations that have graduated from small plots to serious hay production. The dual-arm design allows for independent movement, which helps the rake follow the contour of the land more effectively than a rigid frame.

The frame on the WR1212 is built to withstand the stresses of higher ground speeds, which is crucial when trying to beat an incoming storm. It features adjustable raking angles that allow the operator to change how aggressively the hay is handled based on the moisture content. Higher moisture crops often require a more aggressive toss, while dry, leafy hay requires a gentler touch to prevent leaf loss.

Growers with fifty to eighty acres will find this model to be the most versatile tool in the shed. It is large enough to consolidate two mower-conditioner swaths into one substantial windrow, yet light enough to be handled by a mid-range tractor. This rake is the clear winner for the producer who needs professional-grade performance without the footprint of an industrial machine.

John Deere WR3110: Best for Uneven Terrain

The WR3110 is specifically engineered with high-clearance frames and a high-pivot point to handle rougher pastures and rolling hills. Terrain that features dips, ridges, or terrace lines can often cause standard rakes to dig in or leave hay behind, but the WR3110 compensates for these variances with ease. The high-capacity wheels are designed to stay in contact with the ground without putting undue stress on the main beam.

This model is particularly effective in heavy or tangled crops where a standard frame might “bulldoze” the hay. The extra vertical space under the frame allows thick windrows to pass through without bunching or clogging. This prevents the formation of “hay balls” that can lead to uneven drying and potential bale spoilage or fire hazards in the barn.

If the hayfields are characterized by old furrows, hillsides, or thick, heavy-stemmed forage, the WR3110 is the necessary upgrade. It provides the ground-following capabilities that cheaper rakes lack. This is the machine for the farmer who refuses to let difficult geography dictate the quality of their hay.

John Deere WR5412: Best Heavy-Duty Option

When durability is the non-negotiable factor, the WR5412 stands out due to its reinforced frame and heavy-duty wheel assemblies. It is built to endure long days of constant use in challenging conditions, such as raking through heavy corn stalks or thick first-cutting grass. The components are oversized to handle the torque and vibration that come with high-speed raking across large acreages.

The hydraulic controls on this model allow for precise adjustments from the tractor seat, which is a significant labor-saver during long workdays. The transport locks are robust, ensuring that the rake stays secure when moving between distant fields on public roads. This unit is designed to be a long-term investment that survives decades of seasonal use.

Choose the WR5412 if the plan is to rake several hundred acres annually or if the environment is particularly punishing on equipment. It is built for the operator who values uptime and mechanical longevity over a lower initial purchase price. This rake is a powerhouse that won’t quit when the workload gets intense.

John Deere WR6012: Best High-Capacity Model

The WR6012 is the flagship for high-capacity wheel rakes, designed to maximize the working width in every pass. It utilizes a massive frame and wide-stance wheels to cover significant ground, often allowing the operator to combine multiple swaths into a single, uniform windrow. This reduces the number of trips the baler has to make, saving fuel and reducing soil compaction across the field.

Despite its large size, the WR6012 features a sophisticated folding mechanism that allows it to shrink down for transport. The windrow width can be adjusted on the fly to match the intake of large square balers or high-capacity round balers. It is a machine designed for efficiency, turning a two-day raking job into a one-day task.

This model is meant for the serious producer who is managing large tracts of land and needs to optimize every hour of daylight. It is likely more machine than a small hobby farm needs, but for those scaling up, it is the ultimate tool for productivity. If the priority is maximum acres per hour, the WR6012 is the undisputed choice.

John Deere WR1010: Best for Small-Scale Hay

The WR1010 is a ten-wheel rake that serves as the perfect intermediate step for the hobbyist who has outgrown basic equipment but doesn’t need a commercial-scale unit. Its compact design makes it exceptionally easy to back into tight corners of a barn or shed for winter storage. The ten-wheel configuration provides a slightly wider path than the entry-level models, offering a noticeable boost in efficiency.

This rake is particularly well-suited for irregular-shaped fields with lots of obstacles like trees, fences, or pond edges. The turning radius is tight, and the response to tractor steering is predictable and crisp. It delivers a clean sweep of the field, picking up every stray bit of forage to ensure maximum yield per acre.

For the farmer who enjoys the process and wants a machine that is easy to manage solo, the WR1010 is the best fit. it offers a professional “V-rake” finish without the intimidating size of the larger series. This is the “just right” rake for the dedicated small-acreage producer.

Selecting the Right Wheel Rake for Your Tractor

Matching the rake to the tractor involves more than just checking the horsepower rating on the decal. While wheel rakes are generally “ground-driven” and require very little power to turn the wheels, the weight of the rake and the hydraulic requirements are the real limiting factors. A small tractor might have the power to pull the rake but lack the hydraulic flow to lift the arms quickly at the end of a row.

Consider the following factors before making a purchase: * Hydraulic Outlets: Ensure the tractor has the correct number of rear remotes to operate the folding and lifting functions. * Tractor Weight: The rake must not “push” the tractor around on hillsides, especially during transport. * Tire Spacing: The tractor tires should not be so wide that they crush the crop before the rake wheels can reach it.

Selecting a rake that is too large for the tractor creates a safety hazard and increases the risk of equipment damage. Conversely, a rake that is too small for a large tractor leads to inefficiency and unnecessary soil compaction. Finding the middle ground ensures a smooth operation where the machine and the power unit work in harmony.

Adjusting Wheel Pressure to Prevent Soil Damage

Proper wheel pressure, often called “float,” is the secret to producing clean hay and protecting the field for the next cutting. If the raking wheels press too hard against the ground, the steel tines will scrape up dirt, rocks, and debris into the windrow. This contamination lowers the feed quality and can cause significant wear and tear on the baler’s internal components.

Adjustment is typically handled through a series of springs or hydraulic cylinders that counteract the weight of the raking arms. The goal is to have the tines just “tickle” the surface of the ground, picking up the hay while leaving the soil undisturbed. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to lift the rake wheel easily by hand when it is in the working position.

In sandy soils, a lighter setting is required to prevent the wheels from sinking and creating ruts. In heavy, thick grass, slightly more pressure may be needed to ensure the tines penetrate the mat of hay to reach the bottom. Constant monitoring of the field surface during the first few passes of the season will save a significant amount of money in repairs and feed quality.

Essential Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Tines

The tines are the most active part of the rake and are subject to constant vibration and friction. Over time, these steel teeth can become brittle or bent, leading to poor raking performance and potential breakage. A broken tine that ends up inside a baler can cause catastrophic damage to the pickup or the plunger mechanism.

Perform a “walk-around” inspection before every use to check for loose bolts and cracked tines. Replacing a single tine is a five-minute job, but ignoring it can lead to an uneven windrow and lost crop. Lubrication is also vital; the hubs of the raking wheels contain bearings that must be greased regularly to prevent heat buildup and eventual seizure.

Storage during the off-season is the most overlooked part of maintenance. Steel tines that sit in the mud or tall grass will rust and weaken significantly over the winter. Always store the rake on a hard, dry surface or use blocks to keep the wheels off the ground, ensuring the machine is ready to go the moment the hay is ready for the first cutting.

Operating Tips to Keep Dirt Out of Your Hay Bales

The speed at which the rake is pulled directly impacts the cleanliness and structure of the windrow. Driving too fast can cause the rake wheels to bounce, which results in missed hay and an uneven “choppy” windrow that is difficult to bale. Conversely, driving too slowly may not provide enough centrifugal force to throw the hay into a fluffy, breathable pile.

Keep a close eye on the “lead” wheel of the rake. This wheel dictates the start of the windrow and should be positioned to catch the edge of the swath without digging into the previous pass. If the windrow looks “twisted” like a rope, the raking angle is likely too aggressive, which can trap moisture inside and lead to mold growth in the center of the bale.

Finally, always rake in the same direction the mower traveled whenever possible. This aligns the stems of the hay in a way that allows the rake tines to lift the crop more efficiently. By paying attention to these small operational details, a producer can significantly improve the quality of their forage and the longevity of their equipment.

The right John Deere wheel rake acts as a bridge between a successful harvest and a high-quality finished product. By matching the specific needs of the land to the capabilities of these machines, any producer can achieve professional results. Reliable equipment, paired with thoughtful maintenance and operation, ensures that the hay stays clean, the soil stays healthy, and the barn stays full.