{"id":1157,"date":"2026-08-27T06:28:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T06:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/?p=1157"},"modified":"2026-08-27T06:33:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T06:33:07","slug":"hay-rake-south-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/application\/hay-rake-south-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Pampas Hay Raking: Scale, Seasonality and Export Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Hay Raking on the South American Pampas: Scale, Seasonality and Export Quality<\/h2>\n

Pampas hay raking operations \u2014 spanning Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, and Cordoba provinces in Argentina and Rio Grande do Sul and Parana states in southern Brazil \u2014 require a 12.0 m minimum working width above 600 ha\/season and a morning-only raking schedule between 07:00 and 13:00 during the January-February peak season. The January-February window is the most reliable on the pampas: 50-75 mm monthly precipitation, 26-36 degrees Celsius ambient temperature, and the lowest soil saturation risk of the production year. Operations that cannot complete raking within the 07:00-13:00 window in peak summer risk afternoon heat driving alfalfa moisture below 25%, producing leaf shatter losses that disqualify the hay from the premium export grades that Argentine alfalfa commands in Japanese and Korean import markets at 15-30% price premiums over commodity grades.<\/p>\n

See also: HP and working width selection for large-scale pampas alfalfa operations<\/a><\/p>\n

Pampas Seasonal Precipitation and Hay Raking Window by Month<\/h2>\n

Pampas Hay Raking Season: Monthly Conditions, Soil Trafficability and Window Quality<\/h3>\n

The pampas hay production season runs October through April, with January-February providing the best raking conditions and spring (October-November) and autumn (March-April) presenting high soil saturation risk from elevated precipitation. Pampean loessic molisols drop from above 200 kPa bearing capacity to below 80 kPa within 24 hours of a 30 mm rain event \u2014 at below 80 kPa, hay rake wheel arm ground pressure above 20-25 kg per wheel begins depressing tine tips into the soil surface, producing soil contamination that degrades premium export grades to commodity classification.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Season \/ Month<\/th>\nAvg. Temp<\/th>\nAvg. Monthly Precip.
\n(Buenos Aires Province)<\/th>\n		Raking Window Quality<\/th>\nSoil Trafficability Risk<\/th>\nPrimary Constraint<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Oct-Nov (Spring)<\/td>\n15-24\u00b0C<\/td>\n80-110 mm<\/td>\nVariable \u2014 frequent rain interruption<\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\nRain interruption; soil bearing recovery 48-72 hrs post-rain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dec (Early Summer)<\/td>\n22-30\u00b0C<\/td>\n65-90 mm<\/td>\nGood \u2014 drying improving<\/td>\nModerate<\/td>\nMorning raking preferred; afternoon leaf shatter risk rising<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jan-Feb (Peak Summer)<\/td>\n26-36\u00b0C<\/td>\n50-75 mm<\/td>\nBest \u2014 lowest precipitation, fastest drying<\/td>\nLow<\/td>\nRake 07:00-13:00; leaf shatter risk peaks after midday<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mar-Apr (Autumn)<\/td>\n16-26\u00b0C<\/td>\n85-120 mm<\/td>\nVariable \u2014 precipitation increasing<\/td>\nModerate-High<\/td>\nLast cuts before dormancy \u2014 priority to complete before May<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
May-Sep (Winter)<\/td>\n6-16\u00b0C<\/td>\n40-65 mm<\/td>\nMinimal \u2014 alfalfa dormant<\/td>\nLow \u2014 no operations<\/td>\nMachine service and preparation season<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Pampas Hay Raking Fleet Scale: Machine Configuration by Operation Size<\/h2>\n

Large-Scale Pampas Hay Raking Fleet Requirements by Seasonal Area<\/h3>\n

Pampas commercial hay operations above 600 ha require a minimum 12.0 m working width to complete each cut within the morning raking window. Below 300 ha, a 9.0 m finger wheel rake is adequate with margin. The calculation: 200 ha\/cut in a 5-hour window at 12 km\/h and 0.80 field efficiency requires 4.2 m minimum working width \u2014 covered by the 9LH-12 side delivery rake with 64% capacity margin. At 600 ha\/cut in the same window, minimum required width is 12.5 m, which requires two machines. The fleet matrix below shows configurations for key pampas operation scales.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Operation Scale (ha alfalfa)<\/th>\nCuts\/Season<\/th>\nPeak ha\/Cut (Jan-Feb)<\/th>\nAvailable Window<\/th>\nRequired ha\/hr<\/th>\nRecommended Fleet<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
300-600 ha<\/td>\n3-4 cuts<\/td>\n100-200 ha<\/td>\n5-6 hrs (07:00-13:00)<\/td>\n18-40 ha\/hr<\/td>\n1x 9LH-12 side delivery rake<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
600-1,000 ha<\/td>\n3-4 cuts<\/td>\n200-350 ha<\/td>\n5-6 hrs<\/td>\n36-70 ha\/hr<\/td>\n2x 9LH-12 side delivery rake or 9LH-12 + 9LZY-9.0 finger wheel rake<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1,000-2,000 ha<\/td>\n3-4 cuts<\/td>\n350-700 ha<\/td>\n5-6 hrs<\/td>\n60-140 ha\/hr<\/td>\n3-4x 9LH-12 side delivery rake \u2014 stagger cutting schedule to spread windows<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Above 2,000 ha<\/td>\n3-4 cuts<\/td>\n700+ ha<\/td>\n5-6 hrs<\/td>\n120+ ha\/hr<\/td>\n5+ machines; staggered cutting is mandatory \u2014 single-day raking not viable at this scale<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The 9LH-12 side delivery rake<\/a> at 12 m working width rated for 75-110 HP tractors is the standard single-machine specification for pampas commercial operations in the 300-600 ha range \u2014 matching the 85-120 HP tractor fleet typical on Argentine estancias.<\/p>\n

See also: container logistics and LC documentation for pampas hay rake imports<\/a><\/p>\n

Pampas Hay Raking Ground Pressure in Post-Rain Soil Conditions<\/h2>\n

How Post-Rain Soil Bearing Capacity Affects Pampas Hay Raking Ground Pressure Settings<\/h3>\n

After a rain event above 20 mm on pampas loessic soils, wait at minimum 48-72 hours before operating hay rake equipment. At below 80 kPa soil bearing capacity, hay rake wheel arm ground pressure above 20-25 kg per wheel drives tine tips into the soil surface at each contact event, embedding soil particles into the windrow material. For export-grade Argentine alfalfa, Japanese and Korean import contracts specify maximum soil contamination of 1% by weight \u2014 a specification that is violated by a single full-day raking pass on saturated pampas soil at normal ground pressure settings. If raking cannot be delayed past the crop moisture window, reduce ground pressure to 14-18 kg per wheel and accept 3-5% windrow residue rate rather than contaminating the entire field harvest with soil inclusion.<\/p>\n

Container Import Logistics for Pampas Hay Rake Procurement<\/h2>\n

Argentine and Brazilian Hay Rake Import: Port, Timing and Documentation<\/h3>\n

Argentine importers of hay rakes from Chinese OEM manufacturers use the Port of Buenos Aires or Exalmar terminals for most container arrivals. Port processing times for agricultural machinery imports at Buenos Aires range from 7-21 days from vessel arrival to release \u2014 machines needed before the October start of the pampas hay season require container loading in China targeting August-September. Argentine import duty on hay rakes under HS 8433.40 is subject to periodic modification \u2014 verify the current rate with a Buenos Aires customs broker before order confirmation, as duty suspension programs for agricultural machinery imports can materially reduce landed cost.<\/p>\n

Brazilian importers serving Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina operations use Port of Porto Alegre or Port of Paranagua, which typically have faster processing times than Buenos Aires for agricultural equipment. Brazilian ICMS on agricultural machinery varies by state \u2014 Rio Grande do Sul provides ICMS reduction for equipment classified as agricultural production machinery, which reduces effective landed tax burden by 8-12 percentage points compared to standard commercial merchandise classification. Confirm the ICMS treatment with a Brazilian tax consultant before shipment to ensure correct invoice classification.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions: Pampas Hay Raking in Argentina and Brazil<\/h2>\n

Q: What hay rake working width do I need for a 500-hectare pampas alfalfa operation?<\/h3>\n

A 500 ha pampas alfalfa operation raking 3-4 cuts per season needs a 12.0 m working width to complete each 125-167 ha cut within the 5-6 hour January-February morning raking window. The 9LH-12 side delivery rake covers 167 ha in 4.6 hours at 12 km\/h and 0.80 field efficiency \u2014 with window margin remaining. A 9.0 m finger wheel rake covers the same area in 6.2 hours \u2014 marginal in the compressed summer window when crop can over-dry in afternoon heat within 2-3 hours of reaching optimal moisture.<\/p>\n

Q: How does pampas soil saturation affect hay raking ground pressure settings?<\/h3>\n

After any rain event above 20 mm, wait 48-72 hours before raking on pampean loessic soils \u2014 bearing capacity drops below 80 kPa during this period, at which point normal ground pressure (25-35 kg per wheel) drives tines into the soil surface. If raking within 48 hours of rain is unavoidable, reduce ground pressure to 14-18 kg per wheel and operate at reduced speed (8-9 km\/h). Accept 3-5% higher windrow residue rate in exchange for keeping soil contamination below the 1% maximum that most Asian export contracts specify.<\/p>\n

Q: When is the best pampas hay raking season for Argentine alfalfa export quality?<\/h3>\n

January and February. These months combine lowest monthly precipitation (50-75 mm), stable soil bearing capacity, 26-36 degrees Celsius ambient temperature, and the most consistent drying conditions of the production year. First-cut hay raked in January-February and baled at 14-16% moisture consistently achieves the leaf-to-stem ratio, NDF, and RFV values required for premium Japanese and Korean import grades. Spring (October-November) cuts are viable but carry higher rain-interruption risk that forces compromise decisions between soil protection and crop timing.<\/p>\n

Q: How do I import a hay rake from China to Argentina or Brazil?<\/h3>\n

For Argentina: order in June-July, target August-September container loading in China, plan for 7-21 days Buenos Aires port processing. Verify current import duty on HS 8433.40 with a Buenos Aires customs broker \u2014 duty suspension programs for agricultural machinery are available periodically. For Brazil: use Porto Alegre or Paranagua ports for southern state operations; confirm ICMS treatment in your state before shipment \u2014 Rio Grande do Sul typically provides reduction for agricultural production machinery. Request a commercial invoice with HS code 8433.40, packing list, and certificate of origin from the Chinese supplier as minimum documentation. Add a PSI certificate if your letter of credit requires one.<\/p>\n

Q: Does Argentine alfalfa export quality require specific hay raking settings?<\/h3>\n

Yes \u2014 the leaf retention and soil cleanliness requirements of Japanese and Korean premium import grades translate directly to raking protocol requirements. Keep ground pressure at 18-25 kg per wheel for alfalfa second and third cuts at 38-48% moisture to maintain leaf-to-stem ratio above 45% by dry weight. Do not rake on saturated soil within 48 hours of rain above 20 mm. Rake within the 07:00-13:00 morning window in peak summer to prevent moisture dropping below 25% before baling. Operations achieving 3-4% total raking dry matter loss consistently grade at premium export level; operations running 6-8% loss from timing and setting compromises consistently produce commodity-grade hay regardless of variety or fertility program.<\/p>\n

\n

Source Large-Scale Hay Rakes for Pampas Export Operations<\/p>\n

Canada hay-balers Co. Ltd. supplies commercial-scale hay rakes for Argentine and Brazilian pampas operations with container loading plans for Buenos Aires and Paranagua ports, import documentation packages, and fleet pricing for multi-unit orders. Contact us with your operation scale, seasonal area, target quality specification, and Incoterms preference:<\/p>\n

sales@hay-balers.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Pampas Hay Rake Windrow and Leaf Quality for Export Grades<\/h2>\n

Pampas Hay Raking Settings for Japanese and Korean Export Grade Alfalfa<\/h3>\n

Argentine alfalfa destined for Japanese and Korean import markets is graded on leaf-to-stem ratio, NDF content, and relative feed value (RFV), with premium grades requiring leaf-to-stem ratios above 45% by dry weight and RFV above 155. The hay raking step is the operation with the highest potential for leaf loss from mechanical contact \u2014 a single raking pass at below-optimal moisture (under 30%) or excessive ground pressure (above 35 kg per wheel) can reduce leaf-to-stem ratio by 3-5 percentage points and RFV by 10-15 units, dropping the lot from premium to commodity classification.<\/p>\n

The practical export-quality raking protocol for pampas alfalfa operations: rake second and third cuts at 38-48% moisture with 20-28 kg ground pressure per wheel at 10-12 km\/h. First cuts in October-November, with heavier stem mass, tolerate 28-32 kg ground pressure before leaf-to-stem ratio is affected. Defer raking if ambient temperature exceeds 34 degrees Celsius and the crop is within 4 hours of the optimal window \u2014 the quality damage from over-drying at 34 degrees Celsius in under 3 hours cannot be recovered by early raking, but can be avoided by cutting the preceding day at 16:00-17:00 to align the raking window with the following morning.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hay Raking on the South American Pampas: Scale, Seasonality and Export Quality Pampas hay raking operations \u2014 spanning Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, and Cordoba provinces in Argentina and Rio Grande do Sul and Parana states in southern Brazil \u2014 require a 12.0 m minimum working width above 600 ha\/season and a morning-only raking […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[159],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hay-rake-article"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1157"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1162,"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1157\/revisions\/1162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hay-balers.com\/en_ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}