How to rake hay the 1960s way!

How to rake hay for alfalfa hay. June, 2013. Pulling a New Holland rake with a Ford 3000 diesel. Glenn combines two 9 foot swaths of cut alfalfa into one "windrow", a term used to describe a row of raked hay that is picked up by the baler. A windrow is a row of cut (mowed) hay or small grain crop. It is allowed to dry before being baled, combined, or rolled. For hay, the windrow is often formed by a hay rake, which rakes hay that has been cut by a mower machine or by scythe into a row, or it may naturally form as the hay is mowed. For small grain crops which are to be harvested, the windrow is formed by sickle bar mower or hay conditioner (haybine) which both cuts the crop and forms the windrow.Happy viewing!

[gary]

When life was hard but simple. I miss those days.

[VirginiaPrepper]

My grandpa had the exact same tractor and rake during the
60’s - 2009. Many a memories on his farm with that tractor. Thanks for sharing.

[MichaelPMc]

This is the setup I used for most of my farming life, we had a new Idea rake, essentially the same. Started before I was 10 years old with a Ferguson tractor, then we got the 3000 ford with selectomatic transmission, Nothing sounds as sweet to my ear as the sound of a 3000 ford diesel, We baled with this same 3000 tractor or an old Farmall 350 until we got a row crop Ford 5000. This tractor was so much better for baling because I was above the dust and could see over the baler

[stevewyatt]

we have a Ford 3600 with a New Holland rake... oh the irony.

[fourfortyroadrunner]

On the small family farm I grew up, we never had anything this fancy. About 1959 is when Dad bought a used 1928 or so Farmall Regular. All our "stuff" was horsedrawn, mower, plow, etc, towed by that tractor. When we first made hay, I was barely able to help operate a dump rake, had to jam a big stick in the "hold down" pedal. Later we got a steel wheeled side delivery. Dad never owned a baler until around 70, when I was in the Navy.

[nekbiodieselworks]

I have a similar rake. rake it twice and I dont use a tedder. good hay every time

[randyscrafts]

That's how we did it when I was a kid. Did square bales right onto the hay wagon stacking them as we went. Had a 440 acre farm. Thems was werkin days back then. Weren't no cell phones computers or even nintendo. Phones had cords back then. We we're all that when we got a wall mount phone with that long curly cord ya could actually walk around somewhat when talking.

[zfilmmaker]

I love videos like this and I love the old Ford tractors. I own several 1970 models that my father bought new that have less then 1000 hours. I don’t even use them, I don’t have anything in todays operation they are good for. I farm now with Fendt tractors ranging from 180-300hp and make lg sq bales. Everything is modern, but the old stuff fascinates me more. Thanks for the video...truly great stuff!

[SouthernRaiIs]

Good sir, you did it the right way. My family has done farming since the 60s with a 1966 Massey Ferguson 175 and 135

[OhioRiverFisherman]

I usually hand rake our field and i bail it with a bondsman. Lol!! Dog the Bounty hunter

[joetiller]

NH side delivery rakes are the best rakes, I've got one that been over thousands of acres with no problems.

[nagymate]

Looks like we live in 1960 in Hungary.

[timh]

I always like the ford 3000 when i was growing up. I've got allis and ford and jd and new idea equipment myself but never got to drive one of those 3000. Looks like a nice little tractor. Looks like nice hay and a nicejob of raking. Good video!

[sagesmith]

I started out on the same rig when I was six, still have the tractor now we use the wheel rakes

[glenparks]

Love the sound that old Ford tractor, I can almost smell it thru my phone

[Newhollandboy]

I didn't really think you could get away with repeatedly tedding alfalfa due to knocking the leaves off

[catsmandan]

Got to love them Ford tractors, got a 2600 that we use to tether and rake with.

[IbbyP]

Great movie. Reminded me of the good old days on my uncles farm.
Nice homestead and farm buildings as well.

[pathicks]

Love those old fords. Tough as nails and compact enough to go anywhere.

[gary]

I miss the smell of newly cut hay but don't miss the baling part. I always ended up in the barn.