Cornstalk Chopper Made From Mower Deck

Cornstalk chopper made from mower deck HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Forage Harvesters 16-5-32 I made this cornstalk chopper out of an old mower deck mounted on three legs. I use it to chop up cornstalks from my garden and to open up corn fields for the guy who rents my land. I bag up the chopped fodder to feed to my cows or I use it as mulch. I mounted the mower deck on three legs so it would stand better on uneven ground than if it had four legs. Two of the original mower wheels mount on the back legs. I cut a hole in the top of the deck and inserted a 6-in. long pipe (I made it longer than fingers so you couldn't accidentally stick them in there) cut out of an old drive shaft. It runs down to within 1/2 in. of the mower blade. This feed tube is positioned toward the end of the blade where it has the most momentum. I run the engine at just above idle while chopping... Heavy metal skirting is welded below the original deck to protect me from flying debris as I feed material into the chopper. The mower's original 3 1/2 hp. motor provides power. A piece of plywood stands between the motor and feed tube to keep chaff out of the motor intake and cooling fins. I changed the way the blade is sharpened. Originally, when used to mow grass, the bevel was on the top side to pull grass up. I sharpened the blade so the bevel is on the bottom side to pull material down into the chopper. I use it to chop cornstalks and anything smaller. I don't think it should be used for wood or branches since it's not built heavy enough and it's direct drive off the engine so you could shear the crankshaft on the motor if you fed in something it couldn't cut through. C.P. Christopher, Rt. 1, Box 373, Hopewell, Penn. 16650 ph 814 928-5273)

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