Choppers, Tillage Tools Work On Minimum Horsepower

Choppers Tillage Tools Work On Minimum Horsepower TILLAGE EUIPMENT Miscellaneous D H Welding modifies heavy-duty horse-drawn stalk choppers chisel plows and more for use with compact and smaller utility tractors Unlike some small farm equipment these are high quality and built to last “We started making equipment for horse farmers but people would see our ads and ask if they wouldn’t fit compact tractors too ” says Daniel Hershberger D H Welding “With our horse-drawn chisel plow we recommend 2 horses per chisel With the tractor-drawn or mounted unit we recommend 15 hp per tooth or 45 hp for a 3-shank chisel plow ” Hershberger’s chisel plow frame is fabricated with 3/16-in thick 4 by 4-in square tubing The fixed 1 1/4 by 2-in shanks were specially selected for durability “We went with one of the heavier shanks I could find ” says Herschberger “We’ve been making them for 10 years and have yet to have one break Spring reset shanks are an option but for a standard unit we wanted something affordable that works The chisel plows are priced at $1 850 ” D H Welding’s stalk choppers are equally heavy-duty and their rugged design attracts customers Herschberger notes that most heavy-duty stalk choppers are available in 25 to 30-ft widths but are less common in 3 to 4-row models “We also make 2-row models upon request ” he says “We’ve done custom models as well including a 6-ft wide chopper for a skid steer We had never done one so I rented a skid steer and tried it out It chewed down 3-in diameter tree trunks and weeds taller than the cab ” Hoods are 3/16-in mild steel and end plates are 1/4-in thick with a 1/4-in ultra high weight poly liner inside it “A liner makes the stalk chopper a little heavier but it also extends the life ” says Herschberger “Initially we went with AR400 abrasion resistant steel but the poly liner is almost as abrasion resistant It is lighter and easier to install ” To add to durability Herschberger opted for gearboxes designed for Deere harvesters that have been reconstructed with a power unit in place of the gearbox “It is really over-engineered for our 10 and 12-ft choppers but it is less expensive than the alternative C-1 a new $2 000 gearbox that is not built as well ” he says The flails are an old style Brady Cut design made from a special steel and sent out for hardening after the mounting hole is cut Herschberger says they create more vacuum than side flails pulling leaves and stalks up and into the chopper “The increased vacuum reduces the amount of dirt getting mixed in and keeps the chopper up off the ground ” says Herschberger “This also reduces the likelihood of hitting rocks ” With a 10-ft stalk chopper he recommends a 90 hp forecart for use with horses and 10 to 15 hp per ft of width for tractor-pulled units Herschberger prices the 10-ft chopper at $9 800 He charged $3 800 for the 6-ft skid loader mounted design Herschberger also makes a line of 85 and 110-bushel manure spreaders which are his biggest sellers A more unique piece of equipment is his Model 250 Woodsman Saw The 3-pt mount pto-powered buzz saw is ideal for the small woodland owner cutting firewood Set a piece of wood on the 40-in spring-loaded table and push it forward into the saw Release the pressure and it springs back into place between the saw and the operator The saw blade is chrome-nickel treated to hold a better cutting edge and hand hammered to eliminate surface distortion or deflection The 20-in blade offers a 12-in depth of cut It is priced at $1 850 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup D H Welding 459 Valley Rd Quarryville Penn 17566 ph 717 806-0129

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