6 Best Parallel Bar Rakes for Compact Tractors

Success on a small farm often hinges on timing, especially when a rain cloud looms over a field of mown grass. A reliable parallel bar rake is the bridge between a soggy mess and high-quality forage, as it gently lifts and rolls the crop into a uniform windrow. Choosing the right rake ensures that even a lower-horsepower tractor can handle the harvest with precision and speed.

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

New Holland 256 Rolabar: The Proven Industry Standard

The New Holland 256 Rolabar has earned its place as the benchmark for side-delivery rakes on small to mid-sized operations. Its ground-drive system eliminates the need for a PTO shaft, making it incredibly simple to hook up and operate with almost any tractor. Because the rake speed is tied directly to ground speed, it maintains a consistent windrow shape regardless of how fast or slow the tractor moves through the field.

Durability is the hallmark of the 256, featuring a heavy-duty frame and a large-diameter basket that handles heavy, wet crops without plugging. The offset wheels allow the rake to follow ground contours closely, ensuring a clean sweep of the field even on uneven terrain. Parts availability is nearly universal, meaning a broken tine or worn bearing will rarely sideline the machine for more than an hour or two.

This rake is the definitive choice for the farmer who values longevity and resale value above all else. It is a “buy it once” piece of equipment that will likely outlast the tractor pulling it. If the goal is a straightforward, mechanical tool that requires minimal setup and delivers professional results every time, the New Holland 256 is the machine to own.

John Deere 670: Best Heavy-Duty Parallel Bar Rake

The John Deere 670 stands out for its robust construction and high-clearance frame, which is designed to handle high-volume crops that might choke lighter machines. It utilizes a similar ground-drive mechanism to other industry leaders but adds a level of structural reinforcement that prevents frame twisting in demanding conditions. This rigidity is particularly beneficial when working on hillsides or in thick, first-cutting clover.

One of the key advantages of the 670 is the ease of adjustment for both the basket height and the angle of the windrow. Operators can quickly fine-tune the rake to create tight, dense windrows for large balers or fluffy, loose rows for smaller machines. The use of high-quality sealed bearings throughout the drive system reduces the daily maintenance load, allowing for more time in the seat and less time with a grease gun.

Choose the John Deere 670 if the land is rough or the crop is exceptionally thick. It is built for those who prioritize a “heavy-metal” approach to haymaking and need a machine that can take a beating season after season. For any hobby farmer already running John Deere green in the shed, this rake offers the same reliable dealer support and familiar engineering.

Sitrex PR-3000: Most Reliable Three-Point Option

For small-scale farmers working in tight paddocks or irregularly shaped fields, the Sitrex PR-3000 offers unmatched maneuverability. Unlike pull-type rakes that require a wide turning radius, this three-point hitch model can be lifted completely off the ground. This allows the operator to back into tight corners and navigate around obstacles like water troughs or gate posts with ease.

The PR-3000 is typically PTO-driven, which provides a constant basket speed regardless of the tractor’s forward momentum. This feature is particularly useful when working in heavy spots where the tractor needs to slow down but the rake needs to keep spinning to prevent clogging. Its compact footprint also means it takes up significantly less space in the equipment shed during the off-season.

This rake is the ideal solution for the hobbyist with limited acreage and many obstacles. It solves the logistical headache of transport and storage while providing a clean, gentle rake for delicate leaf matter. If agility and space-saving are the primary concerns, the Sitrex PR-3000 is the most practical tool for the job.

Vermeer R2300: Top Hydraulic Twin Basket Choice

The Vermeer R2300 represents a significant step up in efficiency by combining two baskets into one high-capacity machine. While it is larger than a single basket rake, its hydraulic fold system makes it surprisingly manageable for compact tractors with sufficient hydraulic flow. It allows the operator to rake two swaths into one large windrow in a single pass, effectively cutting fuel consumption and time in the field by half.

What sets the R2300 apart is its ability to adjust the windrow width on the fly via hydraulic controls. This precision is vital when moving between different types of balers or adjusting to varying crop densities across a field. The baskets are designed to lift and roll the hay gently, preserving high-protein leaves that are often lost with more aggressive raking methods.

This is the machine for the “serious” hobby farmer who manages twenty acres or more and wants to maximize their limited windows of good weather. It demands a bit more from the tractor’s hydraulic system but rewards the operator with massive productivity gains. If time is the most precious resource on the farm, the Vermeer R2300 is worth the investment.

H&S 570 Side Delivery: Best Value for Small Acreage

The H&S 570 Side Delivery rake is built for the budget-conscious farmer who refuses to compromise on windrow quality. It offers a five-bar design that ensures more contact points with the crop, leading to a cleaner field and fewer missed patches. The simplicity of its design makes it an approachable entry point for those new to haymaking who need a reliable, no-frills machine.

Maintenance on the 570 is straightforward, with easily accessible grease points and a rugged drive chain that is simple to tension. The rake is light enough to be pulled by smaller compact tractors but heavy enough to stay planted on the ground at higher working speeds. It consistently produces a uniform windrow that feeds easily into small square balers, which are common on hobby farms.

This rake is perfect for the person starting their agricultural journey or those managing small horse pastures. It provides the necessary performance without the premium price tag of some larger brands. For a reliable, honest machine that gets the job done without unnecessary complexity, the H&S 570 is a standout value.

Allen 820 Basket Rake: Best Precision Performance

The Allen 820 is often considered the “secret weapon” for producing premium, dirt-free hay. Its basket design is engineered to lift the crop vertically rather than dragging it across the ground, which significantly reduces the amount of ash and debris in the final bale. This makes it a favorite among those producing high-end horse hay where purity and leaf retention are paramount.

The 820 features high-speed rotors that can handle a wide range of ground speeds without losing efficiency. This versatility allows the operator to speed up in thin sections of the field and slow down for thick patches while maintaining a perfect windrow. The build quality is exceptional, utilizing heavy-gauge steel and precision-machined components that provide a very smooth, quiet operation.

This rake is the right choice for the perfectionist who views haymaking as a craft rather than a chore. It is designed for those who sell their hay to a discerning clientele and need to guarantee the cleanest possible product. If precision and crop quality are the top priorities, the Allen 820 is the premier performance choice.

How to Match Rake Width to Your Tractor Horsepower

Matching a parallel bar rake to a compact tractor requires looking beyond just the horsepower on the sticker. While most single-basket rakes require very little power to turn—often as low as 15 to 20 HP—the weight of the machine and the terrain of the field are the real deciders. A rake that is too heavy for a light tractor can lead to dangerous “tail-wagging-the-dog” scenarios on hillsides or during transport.

• Single Basket (8-9 ft): Ideal for 20-35 HP tractors; works well in small, chopped-up fields.
• Twin Basket (18-23 ft): Requires 40+ HP and sufficient tractor weight for stability; necessitates dual remote hydraulics.
• Three-Point Models: Requires a tractor with a high lift capacity on the rear hitch; check the tractor’s 24-inch lift rating against the rake’s weight.

Consider also the width of the mower used before the rake. Ideally, the rake should be wide enough to easily catch the swath of the mower without the tractor tires running over the unraked hay. A common mismatch occurs when a narrow rake is paired with a wide disc mower, forcing the operator to make extra passes and increasing soil compaction.

Essential Maintenance Tips for Parallel Bar Rakes

The longevity of a parallel bar rake is almost entirely dependent on regular lubrication. Because these machines operate in dusty, dry environments, grease acts as a barrier against abrasive grit that can eat through bearings. A quick walk-around with a grease gun every four to five hours of operation will prevent the most common mid-season failures.

Tine health is the next critical area of focus. Missing or bent tines create gaps in the windrow and leave valuable crop behind in the field. It is a good practice to keep a bucket of spare tines and the necessary wrenches in the tractor toolbox to make immediate repairs. Operating with a full set of straight tines ensures the basket remains balanced, which reduces vibration and extends the life of the frame.

Finally, check the gearbox oil and drive chain tension at the start of every season. Old oil can accumulate moisture through condensation, leading to internal corrosion during the winter months. A properly tensioned chain prevents “slap,” which can cause premature wear on sprockets and shear pins. These small tasks, performed consistently, turn a ten-year machine into a thirty-year machine.

Adjusting Basket Height for Clean and Efficient Raking

Proper basket height is the difference between clean hay and a bale full of dirt and rocks. The goal is to have the tines skim just above the ground—close enough to pick up the crop but high enough to avoid touching the soil. Most parallel bar rakes use a simple screw-jack or pin-adjustment system on the wheels to set this height.

In a heavy crop, the basket may need to be slightly higher to allow the bulk of the material to move through the machine without dragging. In a light, thin crop, the tines may need to be lowered to ensure every blade is recovered. Operators should always test the height in a small section of the field and check the ground behind the rake; if the soil is being disturbed, the basket is too low.

Adjusting the pitch of the basket also influences how the windrow is formed. Angling the basket forward can help “lift” a crop that has settled into the stubble, while a more level basket is better for fluffy, dry hay. Taking five minutes to fine-tune these settings at the start of the day will pay dividends in the quality of the hay and the ease of the baling process.

Comparing Parallel Bar Rakes to Standard Wheel Rakes

Parallel bar rakes and wheel rakes are the two most common tools for hobby farmers, but they serve different needs. A parallel bar rake is a mechanical tool that uses a driven basket to move hay, which results in a very gentle action. This makes it superior for alfalfa and clover, where keeping the leaves on the stem is the primary goal for nutritional value.

Wheel rakes, by contrast, are ground-driven and rely on the hay’s contact with the wheels to turn them. They are generally faster and cheaper to purchase, but they can be more aggressive, often “roping” the hay or picking up more stones and dirt. For a hobby farmer with a small tractor, a parallel bar rake is often easier to pull because it doesn’t rely on high-speed ground friction to function correctly.

The choice often comes down to the specific crop and the budget. If the farm focuses on high-quality legume hay for horses or dairy goats, the parallel bar rake is almost always the better investment. However, for those raking large acreages of tough grass hay where speed is the priority, a wheel rake might be a tempting alternative despite the potential for more debris in the bale.

Investing in a quality parallel bar rake is a commitment to the long-term health and productivity of a small farm. By selecting a machine that matches the tractor’s capabilities and the farm’s specific terrain, the harvest becomes a manageable and even enjoyable task. With proper maintenance and careful adjustment, these six rakes will provide the consistent, clean windrows necessary for high-quality forage season after season.