Pull-Type Chopper Mounted Up Front

Pull-Type Chopper Mounted Up Front FORAGE HARVESTERS Forage Harvesters (31F) 18-5-5 "It's the best idea I ever had," says Charles Thor, Hutchinson, Minn., about the way he ' mounted a standard pull-type Deere forage harvester on the 3-pt. hitch of his bi-directional Versatile 276 tractor (the same as a Ford New Holland 276). Thor rebuilt the chopper, stripping off the conventional drive components and pull-type components, and fitting it with 3-pt. hitch brackets. He also had to modify the chopper blower. The straight-out design of the blower chute - rather than going straight up and then back - substantially reduces horsepower requirements, notes Thor. The long discharge chute runs back along one side of the tractor. "Visibility and maneuverability are excellent. We've used both 2 and 3-row ma-chines this way with great results. It's a great way to make use of the bi-directional capability of the Versatile, which has plenty of power to do the job. The tractor is fitted with an automatic power hitch on front so the operator can remain in the cab when hooking and unhooking wagons. A control lever automatically turns the spout on the end of the discharge chute when cutting curved rows," says Thor, adding that he can quickly unhitch the chopper when necessary. Engineers from Ford New Holland have taken a look at Thor's chopper, and he's built a couple units for neighbors. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Charles C. Thor, Custom Made Equipment, 16378 Hwy 15, Hutchinson, Minn. 55350 (ph 612 587-2380 or 612 487-2289).

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