1999 - Volume #23, Issue #3, Page #07
[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story
| Read this issue]
Redekjop Straw Chopper Handles Tough Soybean Residue
The chopper, made by Redekop Industries of Saskatoon, Sask., has been on the market for several years and was originally designed for small grains. However, new soybean varieties with tougher stems have spurred interest in the heavy-duty unit and Neubauer recently became a U.S. distributor for it.
"We're selling them as fast as we can get them," says Neubauer. "Our main markets are the Case-IH Axial Flow combines and the Deere 7720, 8820, 9500, 9600, and CTS combines. The Redekop chopper spreads both straw and chaff 20 to 35 ft. It's available in two models. One is equipped with straight knives for fine cutting and has a spreading width up to 22 ft. The other is equipped with a bent flail hammer and straight knife combination. It can spread up to 30 ft. Either model can be used on Case-IH machines. We've added belts onto both models to make it easier for the chaff to æwalk' into the chopper. In the case of the Deere combines we're replacing the company's original straw chopper with the bent flail hammer and straight knife combination. Factory Deere choppers don't have enough air force to spread chaff the full width of the combine.
"Redekop choppers are now optional on some new Case-IH and Deere combines. Most Massey and Gleaner combine models already come factory equipped with Redekop choppers.
"The reason for all the interest is that today's new high-yielding soybean varieties have stems that are often still wet and green at harvest even though the beans themselves are dry. The sticky bean residue doesn't feed properly into the chopper which results in bunches in the field. The residue interferes with fertilizer application and planting the following spring.
"The new chopper requires about the same horsepower as a conventional chopper and chaff spreader but results in a wider spread and a finer chop. It has several unique features. The chopper easily swings aside when you need to make combine adjustments. The drive belt tightens automatically when the chopper is returned to the operating position. A molded set of fins concentrates the air flow and a simple spreading height adjustment reduces spreading without sacrificing uniformity."
Kits for Case-IH models sell for $4,700 to $4,900 depending on the model. Kits for Deere 9600 and 9610 models sell for $1,875; for the Deere 7700, $1,475.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, G & D Combine, 29646 E. Ave., Radcliffe, Iowa 50230 (ph 515 899-2131).
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.