Heavy-Duty Rake Wheels Save Time And Money

Heavy-Duty Rake Wheels Save Time And Money RAKES Rakes (31l) 28-3-11 Replacement rake wheels with double centers and twin tines add to wheel life, stand up better to heavier crops, and the overall design makes it easy to change broken or worn tines. "When I exhibit at farm shows, farmers would tell me how frustrated they were to buy a new rake and have to replace wheels in as little as two years under heavy use," explains Freddie Miller, owner of Milco Inc., Council Bluffs, Iowa. "Tines were often hard to replace, and as holes in the rim became worn, teeth would wear down even faster." Miller decided to double punch the rims on his heavy-duty replacement rake wheels. The extra set of holes allows his customers to simply shift tines when the first set of holes wears. Another design change on Milco's wheels will save time whenever teeth have to be replaced. Windshields mounted over the rake wheels keep hay from pinning to the fast moving wheels or wrapping around axles. Milco's new, larger windshields extend from the double centers to the rims and are held in place by bushings on the rims. Rather than install the plastic shield over the wheel, it's now installed behind the double centers, leaving teeth and bolts exposed for easy access. "The new windshield is the largest on the market, extending two inches past the rim," says Miller. Milco replacement rake wheels weigh in at a hefty 54 lbs. While they come completely assembled, if teeth need to be moved to the second set of holes, each wheel must be disassembled. "A special jig is available," explains Miller. "With it, the two center plates, 20 teeth, rim, 10 windshield bushings and the windshield can be reassembled in about 8 minutes." Suggested retail price for wheels with windshields is $180 each. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Freddie Miller, Milco Inc., 13220 240 St., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 (ph 712 366-2114; cell 402 680-0287; email: freddiem47@ msn.com; website: www.rakewheels.com).

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