I bought a Kuhn rotary rake a couple of years ago. Best advice I got right here on HayTalk was to slow the PTO rpms and use a higher ground speed. I've found that if I'm running at about 75% of the PTO rated speed, I make nice fluffy rows and can pull the apron in all the way with less fly away, and almost no leaf shatter when baling alfalfa/grass mix.

I do the headlands last. I start in the middle of the field and if it's a light crop I double them up. In a heavy crop, I'll do 1-1/4 passes in the center, then run down each side so that I end up with two rows close together in the middle of the field. My last two passes are around the outside of the field and to rake the headlands.

So I start in the middle and go out from there, in a large field I'll split the field into thirds like this so I don't have to spend that much time with the rake in the air.

Here's a video I posted a couple of years ago with the rake running at 540 rpm on the PTO:

Here's a video I just made last week, with the PTO rpm at 400. You can see where I've left the headlands for last too:

And if you poke around on my YouTube channel, you'll see another video where I was running the rake WAY too fast.

 

I make 1 trip around the field counterclockwise, raking in, then reverse direction and go clockwise raking out. That gives me one double windrow, on outside, to deal with, and all the rest are singles. Also, as you bale clockwise, you don't have to jump windrows. I leave the double outside windrow till last when baling, then either rake it in one pass to bale clockwise, or bale it counterclockwise.

YMMV, HTH, Dave

 

I only have my curtain out about 18 inch’s I want the windrow to stand up so the air can get through. If hay is dry double windrow on out side . If it’s a little damp or a woods line factor my double may be 4 to 6 passes in . There is 27 ways to Sunday to rake hay just wait til your teenage kid rakes and gives you a triple windrow where there should be 3 singles like mine did on Sunday. I’m still confused ‍♀ how he did it.

 

As long as you have a low enough gear, I don’t see the problem with going slow. It’s not about ground speed, it’s about flakes size.

 

As long as you have a low enough gear, I don't see the problem with going slow. It's not about ground speed, it's about flakes size.

Agree 100% It is cheaper/easier to put time/trips around field on a rake and less trips (compaction) with baler.

 

I make 1 trip around the field counterclockwise, raking in, then reverse direction and go clockwise raking out. That gives me one double windrow, on outside, to deal with, and all the rest are singles. Also, as you bale clockwise, you don't have to jump windrows. I leave the double outside windrow till last when baling, then either rake it in one pass to bale clockwise, or bale it counterclockwise.
YMMV, HTH, Dave

ditto here Dave. Also on the last outside windrow with a rotary rake you can cut it in half for better drying

 

ditto here Dave. Also on the last outside windrow with a rotary rake you can cut it in half for better drying

Agree 100% It is cheaper/easier to put time/trips around field on a rake and less trips (compaction) with baler.

+1 on both. And being you got guys stacking on the wagons, slower is usually a smoother ride.

Larry

 

I have no problem going slow because it is fewer trips through the field, but I do have a problem with all the hay kicking out the side because then I have to spend a lot of time cleaning up. I could try making a more narrow windrow. The next field up is a VERY bumpy ride, and I have to go slow regardless.

 

I have no problem going slow because it is fewer trips through the field, but I do have a problem with all the hay kicking out the side because then I have to spend a lot of time cleaning up. I could try making a more narrow windrow. The next field up is a VERY bumpy ride, and I have to go slow regardless.

Add a gathering wheel.

 

Add a gathering wheel.

On a square baler? I've never seen that on a square baler.

 

On a square baler? I've never seen that on a square baler.

Pretty common when square baling straw actually. Windrows sometimes are wider than the pickup on some older balers.