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Howdy Kevin, You are right. It is (or was in this case) pulled behind the wagon and used to load loose hay onto the wagon before the days of the baler. My dad always said "The secret to loading the wagon with a hay loader was to load it so when you got the load to the barn you would only have 3 stacks." I'm other words, you would only have to lower the hay fork 3 times to empty the wagon. I myself have never seen it done on 3 grabs but that's what other old timers told me also. John Deere first contracted with the Dain Manufacturing Company of Ottumwa, Iowa to build their haying equipment before Deere took them over. They had a few different models. They had the regular hay loader, the single cylinder, and the double cylinder. In addition to the "rake" type you have there was also a rope type loader. Most of the Amish in my area like the rake type over the rope loaders. They claim the rope type breaks off too many of the leaves. Value is always hard to put on old horse equipment. It all depends where you are located, condition of the equipment, ect. I would have to say it would range from $75 for on the low end for one that needs alot of work all the way up to $300 or $400 for one that is in super nice shape and ready to use. I have seen on a web site someone asking $650 and $700 for IH hay loaders but I myself think that is a bit high. I hope this information helps you out. Feel free to drop me a line if you like. My 2 bits worth, Old Iron
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