Combines chopper balancing

Are these the same guys that won't balance a chopper with new knives in it unless you replace the bearings with brand new ones even if the old one's are goodIJ They have a bunch that comes through here every spring and balances choppers before harvest at the deere dealership. I don't know if it's the guy's your talking about but they really are fickle about what they'll balance I'm told. Not something I'm looking forward to for sure. Have a good one

A local place balances choppers for about $600. Needless to say, they dont get much business from farmers. Balancing a chopper is difficult for the average guy unless you remove all blades and check the rotor for balance. Then replace all blades or check the weights of opposite blades on an accurate scale. I bought a used digital scale that is accurate down to 1_2 ounce that I use for balancing anything that goes on my combine. If I recall correctly, the scale cost about $150. Tom in MN

The cheapest, easiest way for us to help balance the chopper is to weigh any blades

To sharpen chopper blades and keep balanced I remove 1 blade from each row of blades on the shaft ,clamp together and grind ends square either with hand grinder or chop saw. replace on shaft and sharpen next set until all are done.

I have seen the damage an unbalanced chopper can do on a k2 machine that was for sale. The vibration alone causes the fuel tank to break it's welds and_or leak. Not to mention, holes in the straw walker housing from dislodged chopper blades! Do yourself a favor now and buy the set of 3 new blades, bushings, and bolts. The investment is worth every dollar.

I have been reading your posts on balancing the straw chopper on your combine. I'm sorry to say I have know experience with the Gleaner chopper, but I have had experience with a Massey 860. The Massey 860 had a large tube that the flanges that hold the knifes on is either 3" or maybe 4", is the Gleaner built that wayIJ If it is the problem might be dirt inside the tube, as that is what I found to be the problem with the Massey. I know it's hard to believe, but after weighing every blade on a gram scale and the thing still tried to tear the back end off, I decided to pull the shaft out to check and or change the bearings. After I got it tore down, I realized the shaft had a hole in each end and I accidently realized it was full of dirt and chaff, so I took an air hose and blew all of the dirt out and stuck corks in the holes, and guess whatIJ It ran like a swiss watch! If this can be of any help, it was just a thought and my experience, and my .02 Dale Walker SCMI.