[arcticcatfarmer]

I'm new to this board and have read a lot of good stuff so I though I would try to get some info. I'm having trouble chopping straw with my 1688 since I installed an afx kit on the front of my rotor. I've tried everything. I started with new knives and the taller concaves, but apparently the straw must be in too good of shape when it gets to the chopper. Is that what's going on? So I'm wondering if putting in a TSR chopper would help??? Is there a gain in performance over the factory chopper? How about the Redekop MAV? That looks like a whole different animal all together. I'm also thinking of updating the straw spreader as the factory one only does about 20ft and I have a 25ft head. Not good when the straw isn't chopping well. CIH has a kit to make it like to 21xx, 23xx series. Anyone done that? Sorry for such a long question. Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[redhat]

I have seen a TSR installed and it works well. From your comments though you have a factory chopper in your combine now?
Have seen good results installing the newer style stationary knives on the chopper concave and the sharp edge knives on the chopper rotor (maybe that is what you meant by new knives and taller concaves). Chops much finer and make sure the chopper pan is set up as close to the chopper rotor without hitting.
The factory chaff spreader package for the 1688 makes it like the 21-2300 series, if you set it to high speed and install the curved bats in the advanced position on the spinners the spread width will be 25ft minimum. The update kit is not cheap but it really does work.
Good luck.

 

[arcticcatfarmer]

Yes, I have the taller concave knives, but only 4 sets of the sharpened knives on the chopper rotor, right in the spot where 2/3's of the straw comes through. I called TSR and he said they had a local CIH dealer putting in about six kits a year in combines that had factory choppers. He said it does make a difference with the very tall concave knives and sharpened hammers. They sell a kit that fits machines that have had a chopper for $2510. Sounds like a bit of a risk, but I'm not sure how fall plowing is going to go with the straw the way it is now. I also do dry beans and always wanted a little better chop before, so it might be worth it. Sloan express handle all replacement parts too.

 

[redhat]

The TSR's around here are installed in 1400 series combines that did not have a factory chopper and this was the only option other than salvage yard.
They do a good job but I don't know if the drive design can take the higher capacity of a later model 88 series unless the drive is different than the single v belt these units I have seen have.