Be sure that the hammers are not worn more than 1_2 way through if you are going to turn them. You should also consider rotating the rods that hold the hammers so that they wear in a different spot.
Installed an after market wide spread chopper kit on my ex-7700. It made a huge difference. would evenly spread soybean straw at least the wide of 20' head. Rear deck needs to run about level, would not run it aimed down.