8 Replacement Parts for Fixing Hay Rake Tines and Arms

There is nothing quite like the sinking feeling of watching a hay rake leave a neat windrow behind, only to notice a strip of ungathered grass because of a broken tine. When you are working against the weather on a small-scale farm, every hour of sunshine counts and equipment downtime is a luxury you cannot afford. Having the right replacement parts on hand ensures that a minor mechanical hiccup does not turn into a lost harvest.

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Assessing Hay Rake Damage Before Buying Parts

Before rushing to order a single replacement part, take the rake to a flat, hard surface and perform a methodical inspection. It is easy to spot a completely missing tine, but hairline fractures in the rake arms or worn-out mounting clamps often go unnoticed until they fail mid-field. Walk the length of the machine, physically grabbing each tine and arm to check for excessive play, cracks, or metal fatigue.

Pay close attention to the mounting points where the tines connect to the rake bars or wheels. Rust buildup can hide structural thinning, and slightly bent arms can throw off the alignment of the entire rake assembly, leading to uneven wear and missed crop. Documenting the exact model number and measuring the diameter of the existing tines will prevent the common headache of ordering parts that almost fit but ultimately fail under load.

Rubber Mounted Tine – John Deere PMAM73287

Parallel bar rakes rely on rubber-mounted tines to flex over uneven ground without snapping. These tines absorb the shock of hidden rocks and rough terrain, protecting the rake frame from structural damage. Without this flexible connection, rigid steel tines would quickly fatigue and snap at the mounting bolt under the constant vibration of field work.

The John Deere PMAM73287 is built with high-tensile steel molded directly into a resilient rubber mounting block. This design provides the perfect balance of rigidity for clean sweeping and elasticity for obstacle avoidance, making it highly reliable for bumpy, non-commercial pastures. Key specifications include:

• Heavy-duty rubber mounting block for maximum shock absorption
• High-tensile spring steel tine construction
• Compatible with John Deere 640, 650, 660, and 670 side-delivery rakes
• Designed specifically for parallel-bar rake systems

This part requires a clean mounting surface and proper torque during installation to prevent the rubber from twisting. It is critical to check your bar spacing and bolt hole alignment before purchasing, as a loose fit will quickly ruin the rubber block.

This tine is ideal for hobby farmers running classic John Deere parallel bar rakes who need a durable, shock-absorbing solution. It is not suitable for high-speed wheel rakes or rotary systems that require rigid metal-to-metal connections.

Wheel Rake Tine – Sitrex 204161 Replacement Tine

Wheel rakes use large, ground-driven wheels fitted with radial tines to gently lift and windrow hay. These tines must maintain constant ground contact, making them highly susceptible to wear and bending over time. A broken tine on a wheel rake leaves gaps in the windrow and reduces the overall efficiency of your baling operation.

The Sitrex 204161 Replacement Tine features heavy-duty spring steel with a precise bend angle that maximizes crop lifting efficiency. Its robust construction ensures it resists bending when encountering thick, heavy forage or uneven field contours. Consider these specifications:

• 7mm wire diameter spring steel for longevity
• Corrosion-resistant finish to prevent rust
• Fits Sitrex, H&S, and generic Italian-style wheel rakes
• Optimized bend angle for clean crop lifting

Replacing these tines requires removing the outer retaining rim of the rake wheel, which can be tedious. It is critical to match the wire diameter to ensure the replacement fits securely in the wheel sector slots without wobbling.

This part is perfect for owners of Sitrex and compatible Italian-style wheel rakes who need to restore clean sweeping action. It is not meant for heavy rotary rakes or tedders that operate at high power-take-off (PTO) speeds.

Tedder Tine – Kuhn 57902200 Tedder Tooth

Tedders spin at high speeds to loft and scatter damp hay for quick drying. The tines must endure extreme centrifugal force and sudden impacts while maintaining their shape to fluff the crop properly. A broken tedder tine not only leaves wet clumps in the field but can also fly off and damage neighboring equipment.

The Kuhn 57902200 Tedder Tooth is engineered with a double-torsion coil design that distributes stress evenly across the steel wire. This construction prevents premature breakage at the mounting point, even when working in dense, heavy grass. Key features include:

• Double-torsion coil design to distribute mechanical stress
• High-grade spring steel construction
• Fits Kuhn GF series tedders
• Available in left-hand and right-hand configurations

Tedder tines are handed, meaning they come in left-hand and right-hand configurations. Make sure to verify which side of the rotor needs replacement before ordering, and always use a tine saver cable to prevent broken teeth from entering the baler.

This is a must-have for small-scale operators running Kuhn tedders who want to maintain high-speed drying efficiency. It is not compatible with standard wheel rakes or side-delivery rakes.

Rotary Rake Arm – Vermeer 103563001 Tine Arm

Rotary rakes utilize horizontal arms to sweep hay into neat, fluffy windrows. The tine arm acts as the structural lever that holds the tines and connects directly to the central gearbox cam track. A bent or cracked arm throws off the timing of the rake, causing it to drag or dump hay prematurely.

The Vermeer 103563001 Tine Arm is manufactured from thick-walled, high-grade steel tubing to resist twisting under heavy crop loads. Its precise mounting splines ensure a tight, slop-free connection to the control arm housing. Specifications include:

• Thick-walled steel tubing for superior torsional strength
• Precision-machined mounting splines
• Compatible with Vermeer rotary rake models
• Corrosion-resistant powder coat finish

A bent arm must be replaced immediately, as attempting to straighten it weakens the metal and ruins the rake’s timing. Installing this arm requires basic hand tools and a solid understanding of how the cam rollers align within the gearbox.

This is the correct choice for Vermeer rotary rake owners dealing with bent arms from field obstacles. It is not suitable for wheel rakes or older parallel-bar side-delivery rakes.

Tine Clamp – New Holland 64562 Tine Clip

Tine clamps secure individual teeth to the rake bar, preventing them from spinning or sliding out of alignment during operation. Without a tight clamp, even a brand-new tine will quickly shift, leading to uneven sweeping and premature wear. These clips bear the brunt of the vibration generated as the rake moves through the field.

The New Holland 64562 Tine Clip features a heavy-gauge, stamped-steel design that wraps tightly around the rake bar. Its curved profile matches the bar contour perfectly, preventing the slipping common with generic, flat brackets. Consider these details:

• Heavy-gauge stamped steel construction
• Pre-formed bar contour shape for a snug fit
• Fits New Holland 55, 56, 57, and 256 side-delivery rakes
• Requires standard 3/8-inch mounting hardware

These clips are subjected to constant vibration, so using new, lock-type hardware during installation is highly recommended. Always check for wear on the rake bar itself, as a worn bar can prevent the clamp from gripping securely.

This clip is designed for classic New Holland side-delivery rakes and is essential for anyone rebuilding a rake bar. It is not compatible with round-bar rotary rakes or wheel rake assemblies.

Rake Wheel Hub – Agri-Fab 41932 Hub Assembly

The hub assembly is the central pivot point that allows the rake wheel to spin smoothly on its spindle. A worn hub causes the wheel to wobble, leading to uneven ground contact, skipped crop, and accelerated tine wear. Keeping this component in top shape is vital for maintaining consistent windrowing speed.

The Agri-Fab 41932 Hub Assembly comes pre-fit with durable bearings designed to withstand dust, moisture, and constant radial load. Its rugged cast construction ensures long-term reliability on small-acreage tow-behind rakes. Key specifications include:

• Pre-installed sealed bearings to keep out dust and debris
• Integrated grease zerk fitting for easy maintenance
• Fits Agri-Fab and similar tow-behind lawn/pasture rakes
• Rugged cast-iron housing for structural integrity

Before installing, ensure the spindle shaft is free of rust and burrs. Regular greasing through the integrated zerk fitting is required to keep moisture out and prevent premature bearing failure in dusty field conditions.

This hub is ideal for hobbyists maintaining light-duty tow-behind yard or pasture rakes. It is not rated for heavy, high-speed agricultural wheel rakes used on large commercial tracts.

Tine Bolt Kit – CountyLine Hay Rake Bolt Pack

Standard hardware store bolts are not graded for the high-vibration environment of a hay rake. A dedicated tine bolt kit provides the specialized, high-strength fasteners needed to keep tines securely anchored to the machine. Using weak hardware risks losing tines in the field, which can easily puncture tractor tires or damage baler pickup reels.

The CountyLine Hay Rake Bolt Pack includes Grade 5 or higher fasteners paired with nylon-insert lock nuts. This combination resists loosening from ground vibration while providing the shear strength necessary to handle heavy forage. Specifications include:

• Grade 5 high-strength steel bolts
• Nylon-insert lock nuts included to prevent backing off
• Sized for standard 3/8-inch and 5/16-inch rake bars
• Rust-resistant zinc plating for longevity

Always replace the bolt and nut together; reusing old, stretched hardware is a recipe for losing tines in the field. Ensure the bolt length matches your specific rake bar thickness to prevent excess thread protrusion that can catch on hay.

This kit is an essential toolbox addition for any hobby farmer running bar or wheel rakes. It is not a universal fit for heavy rotary rake arms that require specialized shoulder bolts.

Rake Arm Support – Bush Hog 50072485 Bracket

Rake arm supports stabilize the outer ends of the rake bars, preventing excessive flexing and keeping the tines at a consistent working height. They bear the brunt of the lateral forces generated when turning in the field. A cracked support bracket will cause the rake bar to sag, resulting in missed crop and ground scraping.

The Bush Hog 50072485 Bracket is constructed from heavy-duty plate steel with precision-drilled mounting holes. Its rigid design prevents the rake frame from twisting under heavy crop loads, ensuring a clean sweep on every pass. Key features include:

• Heavy-duty plate steel construction to resist bending
• Precision-drilled mounting holes for direct fitment
• Fits Bush Hog pull-type and 3-point rakes
• Reinforced structural gussets for added strength

Installing this bracket may require aligning multiple frame components simultaneously, which is easiest done with a helper or a set of alignment punches. Check the surrounding frame for cracks before bolting the new support in place.

This support bracket is designed specifically for Bush Hog brand rakes requiring structural reinforcement. It is not a universal part and will not fit other brands without major modification.

Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Broken Tines

Replacing a broken tine is a straightforward task that can save your harvest, provided you follow a systematic approach. Start by parking the tractor on level ground, engaging the parking brake, and lowering the rake to its lowest position or supporting it safely on jack stands. Clean the area around the broken tine with a wire brush to remove rust, dirt, and dried crop residue, which can prevent the new part from seating correctly.

Loosen and remove the old mounting hardware using the correct wrench sizes; do not rely on adjustable wrenches, which can round off stubborn nuts. Slide the new tine into position, ensuring that any alignment notches or anti-rotate tabs seat perfectly against the rake bar. Thread the new bolt through the assembly, apply a drop of thread-locking compound if not using nylon lock nuts, and tighten to the manufacturer’s specified torque.

Before calling the job done, spin the rake wheel or bar manually to ensure the new tine clears the frame and matches the angle of the surrounding teeth. A single improperly installed tine can strike the rake frame or ground, leading to immediate breakage upon restarting the machine.

How to Properly Align and Tension Rake Arms

Proper alignment and tensioning of the rake arms are critical to achieving a clean sweep without scraping dirt into your clean hay. Begin by checking the height of the rake frame; it should sit level from front to back and side to side when hitched to your tractor. Adjust the flotation springs or lift linkages so that the tines gently kiss the stubble rather than digging into the soil.

To align individual arms, use a straightedge or a string line stretched across the tips of the tines. Any arm that sits higher or lower than the rest will either miss hay or wear out prematurely. Adjust the mounting brackets or shims until all tines sit in a uniform plane, ensuring even pressure across the entire working width of the rake.

Finally, test the tension on the flotation system by lifting the rake wheels or bars by hand. They should feel light enough to bounce over a small mound of dirt but heavy enough to stay engaged with the crop. Adjust the spring tension bolts incrementally, testing the flotation after each adjustment until the rake floats smoothly over field contours.

Essential Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Rakes

The key to keeping a hay rake out of the repair shop during the busy baling season is a proactive maintenance routine. Grease every pivot point, wheel hub, and U-joint before the first cutting and after every twenty hours of operation. Use a high-quality lithium-based grease to displace moisture and prevent abrasive dirt from grinding down the internal bearings.

During the off-season, store the rake under a shelter or cover it with a heavy tarp to protect the rubber mounts and spring steel from UV damage and rust. If the rake must be stored outdoors, coat the tines with a thin layer of fluid film or light oil to prevent surface corrosion. This simple step ensures the tines slide smoothly through the crop when you hook up the tractor next spring.

Lastly, make it a habit to walk around the rake and tighten all mounting hardware after the first few hours of use each season. The high-vibration nature of raking can loosen even new fasteners, and catching a loose bolt early prevents lost parts and costly field delays.

Taking the time to inspect, align, and repair your hay rake with quality replacement parts ensures your small-scale haying operation runs smoothly when the weather window opens. By addressing worn tines, bent arms, and loose hardware before you head into the field, you protect both your equipment investment and the quality of your forage. Keep these essential parts in your shop, follow a solid maintenance routine, and you will be ready to make clean, high-quality hay season after season.