We baled almost 200 acres or wheat and oat straw behind our 1440. We dont have a chopper so I cant help you on that part, but we use the slotted grates and set the vanes forward to get the straw to move through as fast as possible. We have ran the rotor with the straight bars off and on and i really saw no difference so i would leave them on. We usually go just a little tighter on the back than the book and get along fine. Good luck with it. You'll like the straw a lot better too. We are selling a lot more to landscapers because of the way it spreads. They dont have to keep shaking it to spread it. It just falls apart nice and easy.