Plastic hay rake

Types of Plastic Hay Rakes

Plastic hay rakes are tools used to collect cut grass or hay. Grass that is allowed to dry is referred to as hay, and it is primarily used for animal feed. Many farmers use a plastic rake because it allows them to collect the hay without damaging the plants. This type of rake is either made fully of plastic or comes with a wooden handle and plastic teeth.

Plastic lawn rakes generally come in bright colors and are easy to recognize. They usually have a wide head and long teeth that resemble a comb. The handle is long enough to allow the person using it to bend down slightly and reach the grass easily. Farmers generally use a plastic rake to gather hay that can be used for animal feed. This is because plastic rakes are less damaging to the underlying grass as compared to metal rakes.

The benefits of a plastic rake include the fact that they are lightweight tools that can be used while picking up leaves or gathering grass clippings. Generally, they are suitable for light use because, with heavy use, the teeth can easily break off.

Plastic rakes come in a variety of types, including:

• Garden Rake

  A garden rake with plastic teeth is used to level the ground. It has flat teeth and is used for light landscaping, leveling, and gathering debris. This kind of rake will not damage the grass or delicate plant structures.

• Curved Rake

  This type of rake has a curved head and long tines. It is primarily used for loose and shallow gathering motions. This rake gathers the debris or mulch into piles more efficiently than other types of rakes. It can also be used to turn and spread mulch.

• Flocked Rake

  The fluffed rakes have broad, flat teeth and a wide head. They make smooth, flat passes over ground surfaces. This type of rake is ideal for gathering large amounts of material like leaves, gravel, or grass.

• V-shaped Rake

  This type of rake resembles a 'V' or wedge shape. It can be used to gather debris from a smaller area or to push material away from the body. The V-shaped rake is suitable for gardening and landscaping tasks.

• Heavy-duty Rake

  The heavy-duty rake has a wide head and long tines. It is suitable for gathering large volumes of leaves, grass, or other organic matter. This type of rake can also be used for light and moderate grading.

Specifications and maintenance of plastic hay rakes

Wider raking width and greater hay raking capacity are some key specifications customers look for when choosing a plastic rake for hay. Other specifications such as overall height and weight affect the ease of handling, storage, and transportation of the rake. These dimensions will differ from one model to another.

Apart from dimensions and weight, another specification that customers are interested in is the number of tines. The tine spacing is equally important to determine the hay's efficiency and quality. Greater spacing will cover a wider area but may leave some hay on the ground. Closer spacing may take more time to rake hay but will provide better coverage.

The durability of the rake depends on the material used. Some manufacturers use a special grade of plastic that won't break easily. Durability, of course, affects the maintenance cost. Rakes with metal parts need lubrication from time to time so that the hay can be raked smoothly.

Maintenance of the plastic rake is fairly easy. Once finished with the raking task, the rake should be cleaned with plenty of water to remove the lodged grass or hay. If the rake is not cleaned, rotting hay can damage the plastic over time. Use mild soap and a soft brush to clean the rake thoroughly. Once cleaned, the rake should be dried in the shade or indoors. This will prevent damage from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Occasionally, small damages to the rake can be repaired with various kinds of adhesives. Doing a preventive repair will keep the damage from worsening. If storage space is an issue, the rakes can be hanged on walls or ceilings.

Uses of plastic hay rakes

The plastic spring rake is a versatile agricultural tool that is primarily used to gather mown hay to form windrows for drying or harvesting. However, its wide design and gentle rakes make it suitable for multiple uses around farms and gardens.

• Gathering hay for drying: This is the primary purpose of a plastic hay rake. After mowing grass for hay, the plastic rake is used to turn or gather the grass to facilitate drying. Unlike metal rakes, which can damage the crops, plastic rakes are gentle and do not damage the delicate grass.
• Gathering leaves: During autumn, tree leaves can become a nuisance around the farm or garden. Instead of using bare hands or getting the face and hands dirty, a plastic rake can help gather the leaves into a neat pile for disposal or mulching.
• Gathering snow: In some cases, plastic rakes have been reported to help gather a light layer of snow on sidewalks or around the home. Hard rakes can help gather a snow pile to clear the driveway or make a snowman.
• Harvesting vegetables: Delicate vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and spinach can be harvested using a plastic rake. The rakes can be used to collect the veggies gently, preventing damage to their leaves. After harvesting, the rake can be used to assist in gathering crops like potatoes, carrots, and onions during the harvesting process.
• Spreading mulch: After gathering organic material for mulch, a plastic rake can be used to spread the mulch evenly on the desired surface. In most cases, plastic rakes are used as mulch spreaders around trees and flower beds.
• Composting materials: If using a compost bin in a garden or farm, a plastic rake can help turn the compost, ensuring all materials decompose evenly. In large-scale farms, plastic rakes can gather compost materials when they are ready for use in the garden or farm.
• Leveling soil: Once plastic hay racks have gathered the organic materials, they can be used to level the soil. The gentle teeth of the rake can help level the soil without causing damage to plants, making it suitable for leveling garden beds.
• Collecting trash: If there is unwanted trash in a garden or along pathways, a plastic rake can help gather the unwanted trash instead of using bare hands. Examples of trash that a plastic rake can gather includes plastic bottles and food containers.
• Spreading fertilizer: After gathering the fertilizer, a plastic rake can be gently used to spread it evenly in the desired location. The gentle teeth of the rake will help spread the fertilizer evenly, especially granules in a garden or around plants.

How to choose plastic hay rakes

• Determine intended use

  Knowing the precise purpose for which a plastic rake will be utilized is vital. Will it be employed in an expansive pasture or a smaller garden? Grasping the scope and nature of the work at hand will assist in identifying the most suitable kind of rake for one's needs.

• Assess durability

  Due to the diversity of materials used in making plastic rakes, it is critical to gauge the strength and lifespan of the rake considered for selection. Some plastics may wear out or break more quickly than others, so choosing a material that will remain in good condition after frequent use is essential.

• Consider lightweight and convenience

  One of the great advantages of plastic rakes is their lightness compared to those made of metal. This quality greatly enhances the ease of handling and use, allowing the operator to carry and maneuver the rake with less physical exertion. When selecting a hay rake, think about how light it is and how easy it is to use.

• Cost-effectiveness

  Although plastic hay rakes are oftentimes cheaper than their metallic counterparts, the selection process should not be solely based on expense considerations. One must also take into account the durability of the plastic material and the kind of work for which the rake will be used.

FAQ

Q1: Where does heat transfer occur during curing?

A1: At this stage mainly on the outer layer at the surface due to sun rays, outside temperature, and air flow.

Q2: What are the factors affecting hay curing?

A2: Mower conditioning, weather, windrow size, and light penetration are the factors affecting hay curing.

Q3: Is raking hay before baling necessary?

A3: It is better to gather the cured hay as close to the soil as possible to make the process efficient.

Q4: How does a tractor-driven hay rake work?

A4: The hay is gathered and flipped on the other side with the help of a rotating wheel. This process is repeated until the whole field is raked.