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Michael (WI) 
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Larrabee, WI
Points: 815
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 Topic: 78 Hay Rake
Posted: 13 Jul 2017 at 8:36pm |
Looking for opinions on an AC 78 hay rake. Currently I have a JD 660 with dolly wheel which I am quite used to. First question is what is the difference in using one without a dolly wheel? My late grandpa thought they bottomed out more in uneven ground. Secondly in general will it perform the same as the JD in general? Does it wind it more or less, harder to make a nice corner?
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Ranse
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Joined: 11 Mar 2016
Location: Tennessee
Points: 782
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Posted: 13 Jul 2017 at 9:31pm |
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I like a dolly wheel rake better. You can turn shorter without worrying about getting the rake in your back wheels. I think you can make a better corner with one. Also the handy thing about a dolly wheel rake is you can push it around by hand if you need too. The draw back is they are hard to back, just like a four wheel wagon.
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JimIA
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Castalia Iowa
Points: 1984
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Posted: 15 Jul 2017 at 8:29am |
78s are a decent rake. The bushings and linkage in the clutch go bad and it will not stay in gear. You will need to rebuild the clutch is all if that happens. Many were also 4 bar rakes but they have the holes to make it a 5 bar. I might have a spare bar to sell yet. My dad made a dolly wheel for ours, made it much easier to use. I could get some pictures of it if you want. Thanks Jim
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An open eye is much more observant than an open mouth
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thendrix
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Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Location: Fairmount GA
Points: 5148
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Posted: 15 Jul 2017 at 11:00am |
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I've heard the dolly wheels help with following uneven ground. I rake with a NH super 55 without a dolly and it does good enough for me
Edited by thendrix - 15 Jul 2017 at 2:18pm
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"Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan
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tomstractorsandtoys
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Joined: 11 Feb 2015
Location: wi
Points: 515
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Posted: 15 Jul 2017 at 12:58pm |
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If a 78 is belt drive keep your Deere. Dad had a few different belt drive rakes and was never impressed. A 660 is a good rake. We have two 640's which are the same but older. We added the fifth bar to ours and run three teeth side by side instead of two. Tom
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DennisA (IL)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Ridott IL.
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Posted: 15 Jul 2017 at 2:26pm |
The 78G is a great rake. Been using one for the past 17 years. I had to replace the driven pulley 2 years ago and last year rebuild the drive clutch and a few teeth. Below is video of the complete process of making hay. Just skip ahead in the video until you get to the raking. Making Hay
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Thanks & God Bless
Dennis
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Michael (WI)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Larrabee, WI
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Posted: 18 Jul 2017 at 8:52am |
Jim, I would be interested in seeing your Dad's conversion.
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darrel in ND
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Location: Hebron, ND
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Posted: 18 Jul 2017 at 11:21am |
 JimIA wrote:
78s are a decent rake. The bushings and linkage in the clutch go bad and it will not stay in gear. You will need to rebuild the clutch is all if that happens. Many were also 4 bar rakes but they have the holes to make it a 5 bar. I might have a spare bar to sell yet. My dad made a dolly wheel for ours, made it much easier to use. I could get some pictures of it if you want. Thanks Jim |
Jim, do you have any clutch parts available any more for the 78 rake....? Thanks, Darrel
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