Draw bar bifold hay rake

Abstract

A pull-type bifold hay rake includes a draw bar mounted at its rearward end to a cross-member, with a pair of rake arms pivotably mounted to the cross-member. A series of rotatable rakes are mounted to each rake arm for movement between a raised and lowered position. A linkage assembly is interposed between the draw bar and the rake arms for moving the rake arms between an operative open position and an inoperative closed position. A hydraulic cylinder assembly, including an extendible and retractable rod, is interconnected with the linkage and with the draw bar for moving the linkage between a first position in which the rake arms are open and a second position in which the rake arms are closed. A cable and pulley arrangement is interconnected between the hydraulic cylinder assembly and a control rod mounted to each rake arm for providing movement of the rake assemblies between their raised and lowered positions in response to operation of the hydraulic cylinder assembly. A locking arrangement is interposed between the linkage assembly and the draw bar for securing the linkage assembly, and thereby the rake arms, to the draw bar when the rake arms are in their closed position during storage and transport of the rake.